It has been announced that actor Fumiya Takahashi will voice the protagonist, young man Reito Naoi, in the animated feature film " The Camphor Keeper " (directed by Tomohiko Ito), based on the novel by Keigo Higashino. Takahashi made his voice acting debut in the 2023 animated feature film "Black Clover: The Magic Emperor's Blade," and " The Camphor Keeper" will be his first lead role in a feature-length animated feature film. It has also been announced that actor Yuki Amami will play the protagonist's aunt, Yanagisawa Chishu, who holds the key to the story. This will be Amami's first voice acting role in approximately eight years. It has also been announced that the film will be released on January 30, 2026.
This is the first time that one of Higashino's works has been adapted into an animated feature film, and Takahashi commented, "This is the first time that Higashino Keigo's work has been adapted into an animated feature film. I feel both great joy and great responsibility to be able to play the lead role in such a memorable production. There was some pressure, but as I spoke with the director, I was touched by his passion for the work and I remember my mind naturally becoming more positive. As we are close in age, I naturally identified with Reito's determination to move forward despite his hesitation. Supported by the atmosphere that was created on set, I was able to exchange dialogue with Yuki Amami, who plays Senbune, and it was an invaluable experience for me."
Takahashi plays Reito, a young man who loses his job due to unjust dismissal and is driven to the brink of arrest for a mistake. As a condition for his release, Reito is ordered by Yanagisawa Senshu to become The Camphor Keeper, where prayers will be granted if one prays to it. Takahashi says, "This film is woven with many opportunities to reflect on life and time to face oneself, things that are often overlooked in everyday life. I'm sure there will be moments somewhere in this story that resonate with each viewer. As an actor, I tried to sprinkle as many of the thoughts I could convey through the film ' The Camphor Keeper' as possible. I hope that encountering this story will serve as a 'trigger' for some kind of change for everyone."
Amami said, "What made me decide to appear in the film was an email I received from the director. I was moved by the passion and sincerity in his words, and I felt strongly that if there was anything I could do, I would love to help. Every voice job is a new challenge, but being able to experience the expressive possibilities that only animation can offer is a valuable learning experience for me. This time too, I imagined the life and journey of the woman named Yanagisawa Chishu, and put my heart into each and every word, making sure that it had a natural weight."
"Living in the modern age, we sometimes feel lost and anxious. It would make me happy if, at times like these, by being exposed to the perspectives of Chishu, Reito, and the other characters in this film, you could find the courage to try to change the way you see things a little, or spend some time gently thinking about your relationships with the people you care about. I hope that your time at the cinema will bring a little warmth to your everyday lives," he commented.
The staff has also been announced. The script will be written by Taku Kishimoto, who has worked on the anime series "Haikyu!!" and "Blue Lock," while character design will be handled by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, the author of the manga "Lonely Castle in the Mirror in the Mirror." Hiroshi Takiguchi, who has worked on the animated film "Weathering with You," will serve as art director. The anime will be produced by A-1 Pictures, who has worked on anime series such as "Sword Art Online" and "Solo Leveling."
A teaser Teaser trailer and a special trailer featuring a camphor tree with an overwhelming presence and Reito contemplating something have been released. A making-of PV featuring Takahashi and Amami's voice recording has also been released.
"The Camphor Keeper" (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha), published in 2020, is a novel that has sold over one million copies. It tells the story of a mysterious camphor tree, which is said to grant wishes if you pray to it, and the young man who becomes its guardian. Naoi Reito, a young man who lost his job after being unfairly fired, is driven to the brink and arrested for a mistake. A lawyer suddenly appears and tells Reito, "If you follow my client's instructions, I'll release you." Reito accepts the condition, and before him appears his late mother's half-sister, Yanagisawa Chishu, who has made a major contribution to the development of the Yanagisawa Group, a major corporation. Yanagisawa Chishu commands Reito to become the "The Camphor Keeper" that stands at Tsukigo Shrine... This is the story. The mystery of the "camphor tree" will entangle Reito's life and lead him to an unexpected truth.
