Adaptation anime TV for Tomoko Yamashita's manga, Ikoku Nikki, has been officially announced. Along with this announcement, a first promotional video and key visuals have been released, giving details about the air schedule, production staff, and the main voice actors involved in the project.
The Inside Story of Ikoku Nikki and Her First Promotional Video
Story Ikoku Nikki centers on Makio Kodai, a 35-year-old novelist, and his 15-year-old nephew Asa Takumi. Their lives change after Makio decides to take care of Asa, who has recently lost both his parents-one of whom is Makio's older sister.
This impulsive decision brought new challenges, as Makio realized that he was the type of person who was uncomfortable around other people.
The anime will follow the dynamics of their daily lives, where Makio tries to adapt to the presence of a housemate, while Asa tries to understand an adult who often doesn't act his age.
Based on the promotional video that has been released, the anime Ikoku Nikki is scheduled to premiere on January 2026.
The Team Behind Project Anime
The animation production will be handled by Shuka. A number of industry names have been announced as part of the production team and voice cast. Here is the full list.
Lead Voiceover:
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Makio Kodai
- Fuko Mori as Asa Takumi
Production Staff:
- Director: Miyuki Oshiro (former episode director for Durarara!×2 Ketsu, Natsume Yujin-Cho Go)
- Composition & Scripts: Kohei Kiyasu (Run with the Wind, My Home Hero)
- Character Designer: Kenji Hayama (Princess Jellyfish, Tiger & Bunny)
- Music: kensuke ushio (Chainsaw Man, A Silent Voice)
- Sub-Character Designer: Toshie Kawamura
- Prop Setting: Miyako Kano
- Costume Setting: Kaede Aizawa
- Art: Eriko Takahashi
- Color Design: Miho Tanaka
- Director of Photography: Tomo Namiki
- Editing: Kazuhiko Seki
- Sound Director: Takahiro Omori
About Ikoku Nikki
Manga Ikoku Nikki is the work of Tomoko Yamashitawho is also known for other works such as The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window and Don't Cry Girl.
The manga was first serialized in Shodensha's Feel Young magazine in June 2017 and ends in June 2023. The entire story has been summarized in 11 volumes, with the final volume released in August 2023.
The popularity of this manga is reflected in the various recognitions it has received. Ikoku Nikki has been nominated for the 28th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, ranked #5 on the women's manga list in the 2024 edition of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!, topped Da Vinci magazine's 23rd "Book of the Year" list, and was nominated for the 13th Manga Taisho awards in 2020.
In addition to the anime adaptation, the manga has also been adapted into a live-action movie that aired in Japan in June 2024.
Sources: Ikoku Nikki website
