It has been announced that Megumi Hatakenaka's popular novel series "Shabake" will be adapted into a TV anime and broadcast in 2025. A special anime was released in 2021 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series, but this time it will be adapted into a TV anime. BN Pictures, which has produced the "Aikatsu!" series and the "Gintama" series, will produce the anime. It was also announced that voice actor Daiki Yamashita will play the main character, Ichitaro.
Takahiro Okawa, who served as assistant director on "Mononokegari," will serve as director, Doko Machida will be in charge of series composition, and Akari Minagawa will be in charge of character design. A teaser visual and special trailer have also been released.
"Shabake" is a popular novel series that has sold over 10 million copies in total. Set in the Edo period, it is a period drama mystery in which a sickly young man named Ichitaro and the spirits around him solve difficult and unusual cases. In 2006, it won the "1st Yoshikawa Eiji Bunko Award."
◇Comment from the original author, Megumi Hatanaka
"Shabake," which was a submission to a public newcomer award, has been made into an anime, and the young master and the spirits are moving and talking. I am very moved by this. I hope that the spirits will meet many people who will enjoy the anime together with them.
◇Comment from Director Takahiro Okawa
When you hear "Edo period," it seems like a faraway world, but "Shabake," the original work written by Mr. Hatanaka, is a work that doesn't make you feel that way. I hope that, like the original work, it will be a work that makes you feel close to the people of Edo, including Ichitaro, and the spirits that surround them.
Please look forward to the broadcast.
◇Comment from series composer Doko Machida
I was saying that I wanted to write a period drama, and at that time I was approached to write the script for "Shabake," which I was already a fan of. It really made me realize that words really do have souls. Now, the main character, Ichitaro, is sickly, but has a strong heart and a clear mind, and is a genuine "people-pleaser" who is loved by everyone (lol). I hope you will also enjoy the exploits of Sasuke and Nikichi, who are overprotective of this young master.
◇Comment from character designer Akari Minagawa
I am honored to have the opportunity to be involved in the character design. I will do my best to convey the charm of each character in the anime, so please look forward to it.
◇Comment from music composer Rei Ishizuka
The story is set in Edo, there are demons, and the relationships between people are diverse, so there are many aspects of the story that I want to pay attention to. It was a fun time thinking about what kind of music would be suitable for such a unique world. And since it is a work with many enthusiastic fans, I wrote it with the enthusiasm of wanting to create something that would meet their expectations. I hope you enjoy it.
◇Comment from Daiki Yamashita, who plays Ichitaro
I am very honored to be able to play Ichitaro in the TV anime "Shabake". The youkai around Ichitaro are all very unique and charming, and with their help he solves the mystery, creating a great balance of suspense and humor! This is a wonderful show that people of all ages and genders will want to watch, so be sure to look forward to it starting airing!
