The upcoming Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia anime revealed its first main trailer (PV) along with the main voice cast and character visuals. The anime is scheduled to premiere in July 2026 in the IMAnimation block on TV Asahi and its affiliated channels, with additional broadcasts planned on BS Asahi.
The series was also selected for the TV Films category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, one of the world’s most prominent animation events. The event will be held in France from June 21 to June 27 this year.
The newly announced voice cast includes:
- Akira Sekine as Sitara
- Houko Kuwashima as Fatima
- Jun Saito as Muhammad
- Ryota Suzuki as Tolui
- Miyu Irino as Shira
The trailer gives the first look at the anime’s story and introduces the characters’ voices. It shows Sitara’s early life after being taken in by a family of scholars, where she begins learning the value of knowledge before the Mongol Empire’s invasion dramatically changes her life.
The voice cast members left comments:
Akira Sekine (Sitara)
I’m Akira Sekine, and I’ll be voicing Sitara.
I’ll never forget the shock I felt when I first read the manga. When I was told that I had been cast as Sitara, I was overjoyed to be able to walk alongside her, but I also felt a great deal of nervousness and pressure.
However, during the recording process, I was supported by many wonderful senior cast members and staff. Surrounded by their love and passion for the project, I pushed myself to take on as many challenges as time allowed.
I truly hope everyone will enjoy the anime! Thank you all very much for your support!!
Houko Kuwashima (Fatima)
When I read the manga, my first thought was, “They’re animating this?!”—and I immediately knew I wanted to be involved.
During the recording process, I could feel the extraordinary passion the staff has poured into this project, which makes me even more excited for it.
I play Fatima, someone who has a profound impact on Sitara’s life when she is young. Fatima holds a privileged position for a woman from this era and is both highly intelligent and well-educated. I hope I can convey as much love as possible in the brief scenes she shares with Sitara.
I hope that everyone will be deeply moved by this anime—right alongside Sitara.
Jun Saito (Muhammad)
I had the privilege of voicing Muhammad. I feel like Muhammad is a character who both greatly influences the protagonist and embodies the value of knowledge. I was drawn to his calm, gentle personality.
Being involved in this project alongside professional voice actors was exciting, and while I never stopped feeling nervous, I was able to learn many invaluable lessons during the recording process.
Please look forward to the broadcast!
Ryota Suzuki (Tolui)
I’m Ryota Suzuki, and I voice Tolui—a character with an innocence that can brighten any room, yet who also displays exceptional martial prowess. Because this story is set against the backdrop of the Mongol Empire, I had the chance to learn about cultures and languages I had never encountered before, which really broadened my horizons.
The anime fully brings out the strengths of the original manga while also beautifully capturing its artistic details, so please look forward to it. Thank you very much!!
Miyu Irino (Shira)
I am one of the many fans captivated by the beautiful, cruel story created by Tomato Soup Sensei. I still remember being unable to stop turning the pages—while at the same time feeling afraid to see what would come next.
We took our time and approached each scene with great care during the recording process. The production team was able to brilliantly blend in forms of expression unique to animation while preserving the charm of the original work, and I can truly feel their deep love for this project.
I’m incredibly happy to be working with Director Abel Gongora for the first time, and to be collaborating with Executive Director Yamada again. Please look forward to the broadcast.
The main staff is led by Naoko Yamada, well known for her work on K-On!, A Silent Voice, Liz and the Blue Bird, and The Heike Story, as executive director. The director’s most recent work was the The Colors Within movie, on which we had the chance to interview her. Joining her as director on Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is Abel Góngora, who co-directed the second season of DAN DA DAN. Studio Science SARU, recently acquired by TOHO, is also well known for the quality of their anime, including hits like Devilman: Crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken, DAN DA DAN, and the recent SANDA.
The full main staff includes:
- Executive Director: Naoko Yamada (The Heike Story, The Colors Within, A Silent Voice)
- Director: Abel Gongora (DAN DA DAN Season 2, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Star Wars: Visions – T0-B1)
- Character Design And Sakuga Chief: Kenichi Yoshida (Eureka Seven, Overman King Gainer, The Orbital Children)
- Series Composition: Kanichi Kato (The Eminence in Shadow, Teasing Master Takagi-san, Black Clover)
- Music: Koshiro Hino, acclaimed for his unique musical sense and deep knowledge of traditional instruments, making his debut as an anime composer
- Animation Production: Science SARU
Tomato Soup writes and draws the A Witch’s Life in Mongol (Tenmaku no Jadugaru) historical manga series, which began serialization on Akita Shoten’s Souffle website in September 2021. Five volumes have been released as of April 2025. The manga earned the first spot in Takarajimasha’s “This Manga is Amazing! 2023” (Women’s Edition) and ranked in the Manga Taisho Awards for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024). Yen Press licensed the manga in English.
The official synopsis:
There was once a young girl in the 13th century slave markets of Iran.
This is the tale of a witch who toyed with a vast continent.
After losing her mother and being torn far from her homeland, Sitara found herself utterly alone.
Still young, with no ability to survive on her own and no hope for the future, she is taken in by Fatima, a kind hearted lady from a family of scholars.
“If you study and become wise, no matter what trouble befalls you, you’ll know the best way forward.”
Deeply moved by the words of Fatima’s son, Muhammad, Sitara came to understand the possibilities and
importance of knowledge and begins to deepen her education.
She dreams that one day, she might catch up with Muhammad, who has set off on a journey in pursuit of wisdom…
Meanwhile, under the reign of Emperor Genghis Khan, the mighty Mongol Empire continues its unstoppable march, conquering nation after nation and expanding its influence across the world.
That boundless ambition finally reaches Sitara’s city. At the hands of the empire’s fourth prince, Tolui, her peaceful everyday life comes to an end.
Having lost everything, Sitara vows revenge against the all-consuming empire.
Source: Press Release, Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Official Website
©Tomato Soup(AKITASHOTEN)/Jaadugar Committee
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