It has been announced that the first episode of the TV anime " A Witch's Life in Mongol, " based on the manga by Tomato Soup, which was also selected as the No. 1 female manga in " Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2023" (Takarajimasha), will be broadcast as a two-episode, one-hour special. It will air on TV Asahi's anime block "IMAnimation" from 11 PM on July 4th. It has also been announced that the band "SEKAI NO OWARI" will be in charge of the opening theme (OP) "Stella."
The opening theme, "Stella," was composed by Nakajin and the lyrics were written by Fukase. The original author, Tomato Soup, commented, "When I heard the finished song, I felt that it was a song written with the protagonists of the story in mind. It's an enormous battle, like searching for one's own coordinates by reading the stars, where one is suddenly thrown into a world and repeatedly questions who they should be. This song, which celebrates that as strength, will surely become a source of hope for someone else."
The second wave of cast members has also been announced, revealing that Ami Koshimizu, Hiro Shimono, Daisuke Namikawa, and Kenji Nojima will be appearing in the film. Nojima will play Jochi, the first son of Genghis Khan, the emperor of the Mongol Empire; Namikawa will play Chagatai, the second son; Shimono will play Ögedei, the third son; and Koshimizu will play Dregene, Ögedei's sixth wife, who harbors deep resentment towards the Mongols and resents her husband due to her own past.
Koshimizu said, "This work is based on historical facts from Mongolia's long history, but the cute illustrations make it very easy to see and understand. Despite the limited source material, the thoughts and feelings of the characters come through powerfully. Furthermore, there are tense moments, such as the back-and-forth in the dialogue. Personally, when playing the role of Dregene, I tried to portray her not as a witch, but as a human being with a hidden sensitivity. I would be happy if everyone who watches it enjoys it."
Shimono said, "' A Witch's Life in Mongol' is a work that deals with the Mongol Empire, a subject I haven't really touched upon before. It's a story that depicts Mongol life and customs, as well as power relations and human relationships within the royal family, centering on the protagonist Sitara, who has had something precious taken from her and decides to take revenge on the Mongol Empire!! In it, I played Ögedei, the third son of Genghis Khan and later the second emperor of the Mongol Empire! Ögedei is a character who loves alcohol and is a bit of a goofball, but there seems to be more to him than that, and I personally had a lot of fun playing him!! Not only Ögedei, but Sitara and other fascinating characters appear in ' A Witch's Life in Mongol'! Enjoy the amazing visuals and music and immerse yourself in that world!!"
Namikawa commented, "This work meticulously depicts cultures and customs that are rarely seen. There is a sharp perspective on the maneuvering and conflicts between people, but the art style is gentle, so I think it will be easy to watch. I heard that the staff also went to the location to experience the atmosphere. It is a work in which you can feel the atmosphere of that time and place through the music. I hope you will enjoy this anime full of exotic charm."
Nojima said, "The story depicts the harsh and turbulent times of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, but what catches the eye is the delicate and charming picture-book-like world. The story relentlessly confronts us with cruel and harsh realities, where intelligence is trampled upon by military force and power. That's the gap. Because the illustrations can also be seen as cute, the raw brilliance of life seems to come through more vividly. Please look forward to the broadcast in July 2026. Join us and immerse yourselves in this historical upheaval."
The main visual has been released, depicting Sitara and Dregene, two former slave girls who became prisoners of the Mongol Empire. The illustration, drawn by character designer and chief artist Kenichi Yoshida, hints at the girls' encounter and the grand story that awaits them.
A second promotional video has also been released, featuring Ögedei, the third son of Genghis Khan, the emperor of the Mongol Empire, as well as Jochi, the first son, Chagatai, the second son, and Dregene. The video hints at the beginning of an epic story in which Sitara, whose homeland was taken by the empire, and Dregene, whose family was taken from him, are bound together by a bond of revenge and will unleash a storm upon the most powerful empire on earth.
The world premiere screening of the anime will be held on June 13th at United Cinemas Aqua City Odaiba (Minato-ku, Tokyo). The Akira Sekine for Sitara, Ami Koshimizu, Muhammad, Hiro Hiro Shimono, and Ryota Suzuki will be in attendance.
"A Witch's Life in Mongol " is a manga set in 13th-century Mongolia, serialized on Akita Shoten's manga website "Souffle". Sitara (Fatima), a former slave girl who becomes a prisoner of the Mongol Empire, meets Dregene, the sixth wife of the Mongol Emperor, who also harbors complex feelings towards the Mongol Empire, and together they use their wits to shake up the empire.
The anime will be directed by Naoko Yamada , known for works such as "The Tale A Silent Voice the Heike," " The Heike Story Voice," and " The Colors Within ," with Abel Gongora, director of " Dandadan" Season 2, and Kenichi Yoshida, known for "Eureka Seven," "OVERMAN King Gainer," and "The Orbital Children," in charge of character design and animation chief. The animation will be produced by Science SARU, known for works such as "Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!", "The Heike Story," and "Dandadan."
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Sitara: Akira Sekine; Dregene: Ami Koshimizu; Fatima: Noriko Kuwashima; Muhammad: Jun Saito ; Ogedai: Ryota Suzuki; Shira: Miyu Irino; Chagatai: Daisuke Namikawa; Jochi: Kenji Nojima
