The TV anime " A Witch's Life in Mongol, " based on the manga by Tomato Soup, which was also ranked number one in the women's category of " This Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2023" (Takarajimasha), has been announced to begin airing in July 2026 on TV Asahi's anime slot "IMAnimation." Naoko Yamada , known for "The The Heike Story A Silent Voice," and "The Colors Within ," will be the general director, while Abel Gongora, known for the second season of " Dandadan," will be the director. Yoshida Kenichi, known for "Eureka Seven," "OVERMAN King Gainer," and "The Orbital Children," will be the character designer and chief animation director.
A teaser PV has also been released, depicting the main character, Sitara, running around the city of Tus in 13th century Iran, as well as an impressive teaser visual of Sitara amongst flower petals dancing in the wind.
Director Yamada commented, "The story of ' A Witch's Life in Mongol,' written by Tomato Soup-sensei, was very fresh and full of stimulating surprises for me. The characters, including Shitara, who found themselves in the midst of the great waves of the changing times, truly lived, thought, believed in love, and lived their lives to the fullest, sometimes boldly, sometimes delicately. I will portray the story with care and respect, in a powerful and adorable way. I hope you enjoy it!"
Director Abel Gongora said, "The cultures that developed in the Mongolian and Persian Empires are both magnificent, and with deep respect for those who have passed them down to the present day, we have interpreted that history in our own way, whether fact or legend. The heroine who appears in the original manga is strong, sharp, and exudes a unique presence. I am truly happy to be able to deliver in animation the moment when she carves out her own shining path and sets out on an epic adventure."
Yoshida commented, "This is my first time working on an original work, so I'm working hard on everything!", and series composition director Kato Kanichi commented, "I've worked hard to create an anime that will express the greatness of the original work. Through the protagonist, who learns knowledge and survives in the grasslands, beautiful night skies, and nomadic life of 13th century Mongolia long ago, I hope that viewers will be able to feel the conflicts and encounters that are relevant to us today, as well as hope for the future."
Hino Hiroshiro, who is in charge of the music, said, "All the characters are fascinating, but expressing the complex emotions of Sitara, who lives a strong and resilient life while harboring resentment and sadness, was the biggest challenge and most rewarding. Furthermore, I feel that expressing such a theme in modern times is very meaningful. I strongly hope that the world will become a peaceful place where no child like Sitara is born, no matter what country or region. This was my first time producing music for an animation, and my first time producing Persian and Mongolian music, so it was all a first for me, but I feel that I was able to accomplish this thanks to the two directors and the entire production team, who patiently worked alongside me. I would like to express my gratitude once again."
The manga is set in 13th century Mongolia and is currently being serialized on Akita Shoten's manga site, Souffle. A former slave girl, Sitara (Fatima), who was captured by the Mongol Empire, meets Dregene, the sixth wife of the Mongol emperor, who also has complicated feelings towards the Mongol Empire, and uses her wits to shake up the empire. The anime will be produced by Science SARU, known for works such as "Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!", "The Heike Story", and "Dandadan".
◇Staff (titles omitted)
General Director: Naoko Yamada ▽ Director: Abel Gongora ▽ Character Design and Chief Animation: Yoshida Kenichi ▽ Series Composition: Kato Kanichi ▽ Music: Hino Koshiro ▽ Animation Production: Science SARU
