From Manga Hit to Anime Obsession: Tougen Anki Premieres This Summer

Tougen Anki is coming to screens in July 2025, and it’s already being called the next Tokyo Ghoul. Based on Yura Urushibara’s popular manga, this dark fantasy series puts a wild spin on the classic Momotaro folktale, trading clear-cut heroes and villains for a messy, thrilling story about identity and survival.

The show follows Shiki Ichinose, a teen who’s just trying to live his life when he’s blindsided by the truth: he’s part Oni, aka a descendant of demons. After a brutal run-in with the Momotaro Agency, a group hell-bent on wiping out Oni, Shiki’s world turns upside down. He ends up at Rasetsu Academy, a school for Oni, where he learns to control his “Blood Eclipse Release” powers and grapples with who he really is. Like Tokyo Ghoul’s Ken Kaneki, Shiki’s journey is all about figuring out where he fits in a world that’s not black and white.

Studio Hibari, the folks behind Classroom of the Elite, is bringing this story to life, with Ato Nonaka directing. The voice cast is stacked, Kazuki Ura plays Shiki, Hiroshi Kamiya voices tough instructor Naito Mudano, and Kōtarō Nishiyama brings rival Jin Kougasaki to the table. The trailer’s already got fans hyped, showing off slick animation, heart-pounding fight scenes, and a killer score by Kohta Yamamoto. Plus, The Oral Cigaretts are doing the opening song, so expect some serious energy.

What makes Tougen Anki stand out is how it flips the Momotaro story. Instead of a clear good guy, both the Oni and Momotaro sides have their flaws, leaving you wondering who to root for. With over 3 million manga copies sold and even a stage play.