The upcoming historical anime Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia has announced that active professional sumo wrestlers Tamawashi and Tamashoho will join the series’ cast, marking the first voice acting roles of their careers. The anime will premiere with a one-hour special featuring Episodes 1 and 2 on July 4, 2026.
The pair, both members of Kataonami stable and natives of Mongolia, will appear in the anime ahead of its July 4 premiere. Ichiro Tamawashi will voice Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, while Tamashoho will play a Mongol soldier. Both wrestlers will also provide additional voices throughout the series.
A special comment video was released alongside the announcement, featuring the two wrestlers discussing their first experience with anime voice acting. Tamawashi described the recording process as challenging at first but said he gradually became more comfortable with it, while self-proclaimed anime fan Tamashoho called the opportunity a fun and memorable experience.
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 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
The voice cast includes:
- Akira Sekine as Sitara
- Houko Kuwashima as Fatima
- Jun Saito as Muhammad
- Ryota Suzuki as Tolui
- Miyu Irino as Shira
- Ami Koshimizu as Töregene
- Hiro Shimono as Ögedei
- Daisuke Namikawa as Chagatai
- Kenji Nojima as Jochi
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.
As previously announced, the series will hold a special panel and advance screening at Anime Expo 2026 on July 3 in Los Angeles, featuring executive director Naoko Yamada, director Abel Góngora, and producers from Science SARU and TV Asahi.
Source: Press Release, Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Official Website
©Tomato Soup(AKITASHOTEN)/Jaadugar Committee
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