It has been revealed that voice actor Shigeru Chiba will be appearing in the new TV anime adaptation of Motohide Shinzawa's gag manga "High School! Kimengumi," which was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha) in the 1980s. Chiba played Rei Ichido in the TV anime that aired from 1985 to 1987, and in the new anime, which will be the first in approximately 39 years, he will appear in episode 11, "Character World," playing a parallel world version of Rei Ichido who meets the original.
Chiba said, "I played Rei when I was in my 30s. I never dreamed that I would be able to do it again. It was an intense time running around in a chaotic world where comedy and seriousness were mixed together! I am filled with gratitude!!" She also sent a message saying, "I wish I could have done it with the members of the Reiwa version of 'High School! Kimengumi,' but due to scheduling conflicts, I was recorded separately, so I am excited to see what kind of work it will turn out to be and look forward to the broadcast!!"
The original manga began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1980 as "3-nen Kimengumi," and was retitled "High School! Kimengumi" in 1982 as the characters advanced to higher grades. It is a school comedy about the antics of the five-member Kimengumi, a group of students who attend a junior high school: Ichido Rei, Hiyoshi Go, Dese Kiyoshi, Ooma Jin, and Monoboshi Dai, along with Kawase Yui and Uru Chie. The TV anime, which aired from 1985 to 1987, also gained popularity for its theme song sung by "Ushiro Yubisaregumi," a spin-off unit of the idol group "Onyanko Club."
The new anime will be directed by Ryo Seki, known for films such as "Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey" and "Beethoven Fabrication," and produced by Animation Studio Seven. It will air every Friday at 11:30 PM on Fuji TV's anime block "Noitamina."
