The anime adaptation of the manga Ikoku Nikki of Tomoko Yamashita revealed his first trailer. In addition, it was confirmed that the series will premiere in January 2026 through the channels ABC TV, Tokyo MX and BS Asahi.
Main voice cast
The announced cast includes two prominent actresses in the industry:
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Makio Kodai
- Fuko Mori as Asa Takumi
Production team
The direction is in charge of Miyuki Oshiro (Durarara!!×2 Ketsu, To Your Eternity) in the studio Shuka. The composition of the series and scripts is the responsibility of Kohei Kiyasu (Run with the Wind, My Home Hero), while Kenji Hayama (Princess Jellyfish, Tiger & Bunny) designs the characters. The music is composed by kensuke ushio (Chainsaw Man, A Silent Voice).
Additional staff includes Toshie Kawamura in sub-character design, Miyako Kano in props, Kaede Aizawa in locker room, Eriko Takahashi in artistic direction, Miho Tanaka in color, Tomo Namiki in photography, Kazuhiko Seki in editing and Takahiro Ōmori as sound director.
An intimate and moving story
The manga follows the life of Makio Kodaia 35-year-old novelist who, after the sudden death of her sister and brother-in-law, decides to take care of her 15-year-old niece, Handle. Although Makio has never been good at living with other people, she must now learn to share her life with the teenager, while Asa adjusts to an aunt who doesn't always act like an adult. Together they build a day to day full of silences, learnings and unexpected bonds.
Manga Acknowledgments
Ikoku Nikki was published in the magazine Feel Young of Shodensha between June 2017 and June 2023, ending with 11 compilation volumes. The work was nominated for Osamu Tezuka Cultural Awardreached the ranked #5 on Kono Manga ga Sugoi!'s female list 2024led the manga ranking of Da Vinci in 2023 and was nominated for the Manga Taisho Awards 2020.
From the pages to cinema and television
In addition to the animated version, the work also inspired a live-action movie which arrived in Japanese cinemas in June 2024reinforcing the cultural impact of this story that will now take a new step with its television adaptation.
