It has been announced that a new original novel written by Higashino Keigo, "The Camphor Keeper" (directed by Ito Tomohiko, opening January 30th), based on the novel by Higashino Keigo, which has sold over one million copies. This is the first time that one of Higashino's works has been adapted into an animated feature film, and also the first time that a novel has been written as a gift to moviegoers of a theatrical release.
The newly written novel will depict an episode from the past of Yanagisawa Masakazu, a cousin of the protagonist Naoi Reito and his aunt Yanagisawa Senshu, who is deeply involved with Senshu. It will also reveal the unknown "secret technique" of the camphor tree's power that is not depicted in the original novel or the animated film.
Additional cast members for the animated film have also been announced, including Kenjiro Tsuda, Tomokazu Sugita, Taku Yashiro, Reina Reina Ueda, and Nobuo Tobita.
"The Camphor Keeper" (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha) was published in 2020. 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. Chishu commands Reito to become The Camphor Keeper that stands at Tsukigo Shrine. The mystery of the camphor tree will entangle Reito's life and lead him to an unexpected truth.
The anime will be directed by Ito, known for "Sword Art Online" and other works, and produced by A-1 Pictures, the studio behind "Sword Art Online" and "Solo Leveling." Actor Fumiya Takahashi will play the protagonist, young man Reito Naoi, and Yuki Amami will play the protagonist's aunt, Senshu Yanagisawa.
