My Neighbor's Yokai-san" will become a TV animation in April 2024! A slightly mysterious and gentle tale of connection spun by yokai, people, and gods!

It has been announced that the popular manga "My Neighbor's Yokai-san" by noho-san will be adapted into a TV anime and broadcast from April 2024. In addition, a teaser visual and PV have been released, and the cast information includes Asaki Yukawa as Mutsumi Sugimoto, Ryosuke Higa as Jiro (Jiro), and Hiroki Kaji as Buchio.

My Neighbor Youkai-san" (original story by noho) is published on the manga distribution site "Mato Grosso" in four volumes, with a spin-off work "My Neighbor Youkai-san Gaiden (Top)" to be released in August, 2023.
Set in "Engamorimachi," a town where yokai, humans and gods live together and where the wind blows frequently, the story is a "slightly mysterious and gentle tale of connection" featuring Buchio, who lives as a cat until he turns 20 and becomes a new cat, Mutsumi, a positive-minded person who cares for her missing parents, and Jiro, a crow tengu who has protected this town for generations. The story is "a little bit strange and gentle, a story of connection".

It has been announced that "My Neighbor's Yokai-san" will be adapted into a TV anime to be broadcast from April 2024. In addition, a teaser visual, PV, comments from the original author, noho, and illustrations have been released, and as cast information, Asaki Yukawa will play the role of Mutsumi Sugimoto, Ryosuke Higa will play the role of Jiro (Jiro), and Hiroki Kaji will play the role of Buchio.

The animation will be produced by Raiden Film, which has produced many high-profile films, including "Tokyo Revengers" and "Rurouni Kenshin. The director is Aiya Yamauchi, who worked on "Lehman's Club.
Let's look forward to the broadcast of this film with a splendid production staff and cast!

Teaser Visual

The teaser visual depicts three characters strolling along a rice paddy road in the sunlight against a backdrop of mountain peaks shining fresh green and iridocumulus clouds spreading in the clear blue early summer sky.

Teaser PV

The video begins with a scene in which Buchio, Takumi's house cat, has evolved into a nekomata. When asked why he is hiding in the bag, Buchio says in a slightly nervous, hushed voice, "Because I am shy.... This is the first time Buchio, who had been living as a normal cat, speaks human words, a scene long awaited by fans.
After that, Moo-chan narrates the story, and the film nostalgically unfolds with images that give a glimpse of daily life in the town of Engamorimachi, the setting of the film.
What kind of mysterious events await us in this town? Expectations are high for the broadcast of this work.

Character Cast Information & Cast Comments

Asaki Yukawa will play the role of Mutsumi Sugimoto, Ryosuke Higa will play the role of Jiro, a crow tengu, and Yuki Kaji will play the role of Buchio, a nekomata.

Mutsumi Sugimoto (Moo-chan) CV: Asaki Yukawa

A curious and energetic human girl. She is a third-year student at Engamori Elementary School.
She is also sociable enough to greet strangers.
She has mixed feelings about her father, who disappeared when she was a child.
She is good friends with Jiro, a crow tengu who lives nearby, regardless of their age.

Asaki Yukawa Comment

1. Thoughts after reading the original story
This is a story about a world where yokai, humans, and gods live together in a very normal way, so the abilities of the yokai are integrated into everyday life.
Therefore, even minor problems that occur in daily life have a new and fresh feel when yokai are with us, and every time a new yokai appears, I wonder how they are living.

2. About the role you play (impressions, etc.)
I think she is a kind person who understands what is important to her even though she is still very young and can act to protect it.
I wanted to play the role of Moo-chan, who grows stronger and gentler as the story progresses, while her straight-forward attitude toward what is important to her remains unchanged, and I wanted to play the role of Moo-chan to face her honestly.

3. A word to your fans
The slow pace of daily life is peaceful and everyone's interactions are soothing.
On the other hand, the cooperation between humans, yokai, and gods in the face of the troubles that sometimes occur is very exciting.
There are many characters, both human and yokai, in the work, and each has his or her own scene of action, so I am sure you will find your "favorite yokai"!
We hope you will enjoy "My Neighbor's Yokai-san"!

■Ryosuke Higa as Jirobo (Jiro) CV: Ryosuke Higa

He is a crow tengu born from a large cedar in the rim volcano, and has a gentle and laid-back personality.
His age is about 500 years old. He lives with Taizenbo (Pops), a snub-nosed tengu, and they protect the land and people of Enkamori.
He watches over and cares for Moo-chan.

Ryosuke Higa Comment

1. Thoughts on reading the original story
I was impressed by the unrealistic feeling of a yokai, a human and a god living together. I felt that there was a perfect balance between the unrealistic sense of "yokai, people, and gods living together" and the fact that the events and thoughts of the characters in the work are things that happen in real life!

2. About the role you play (impressions, etc.)
My first impression of Jiro was calm and gentle, and I thought, "I would like to be someone with this kind of soft atmosphere.
But as time went by, I gradually began to think, "What's that? I was thinking, "Maybe I shouldn't refer to him too much...? (laugh).
It was a very strange character.

3. A word to your fans
The importance of expressing gratitude and words to those who are next to you is something I strongly felt when I was exposed to this work, and I would be happy if this feeling can be conveyed to the fans of this work through my performance!
I would be very happy if you could convey this feeling to the fans of this work through my play!

■Buchio CV: Hiroki Kaji

A young nekomata who was born when the Oishi family's cat turned 20 years old.
Despite his shyness, he tries his best to blend in with his new environment and wonders why he became a yokai and what he should do from now on.
He is like a brother to Takumi, the second son of the Oishi family.

Yuki Kaji Comment

1. Thoughts on reading the original story
The world is very delicate and warm. But it is not only gentle. It is a work that confronts negative emotions head-on. I felt that the fact that it has a fantasy atmosphere, but also faces reality, is what makes it so sympathetic to the audience. Detoxification of the mind.

2. About the character you play (impressions, etc.)
I could imagine many possibilities for Buchio's voice and role, so I was very worried during the audition about where I should set my sights.
Even though she was just born as a Nekomata, she had a career as a living creature... I thought that the balance between the "childish" and "mature" aspects of the character would be important, so even after the recording sessions began, I was always creating the character through a process of trial and error.
But above all...she is just so adorable! (laugh) I love her!

3. A word to your fans
Actually, all the postrecording has been completed. So...I am very happy that the time has finally come for me to inform you all!
There are many humans and yokai in this work. I am sure that you will find one character among them who is similar to you.
Please immerse yourself in the world of this work, laugh, cry, and be healed. Please look forward to the broadcast!

Congratulatory illustrations and comments from the original author, noho!

When I received a phone call from the editor in charge saying, "We are going to make an anime! When I received a phone call from my editor saying "We are going to make an anime! I laughed, but it wasn't a lie....
As the author of the original work, I have been involved in the project as much as possible, and I am thrilled to see the efforts of the production team in dealing with the essential aspects of the work.
I am grateful for the support I have received so far and for the many connections I have made through the anime adaptation, and I look forward to the broadcast...!

I am grateful for all the support I have received so far and for all the connections I have made through the anime adaptation.

Work information
TV animation " My Neighbor Yokai-san
＜Broadcast Information
Broadcasting is scheduled to begin in April 2024.

<Introduction
In the town of Engamorimachi, where the wind blows frequently from the mountains, there is a mysterious daily life where yokai, people, and gods live together.

In the mysterious daily life of yokai, humans, and gods, yokai and humans live their lives with their own joys and worries.
Buchio, who lived to be 20 years old as a cat, is reborn as a Nekomata.
Mutsumi, a human who is concerned about her missing father, but is still living positively.
Jiro, a crow tengu who has been protecting this town for generations.

This is a story of connection, a little strange and gentle, that takes place in the everyday life of a relaxing country town.

<Staff
Original Story: noho (Publisher: East Press "My Neighbor's Yokai-san")
Director : Aiya Yamauchi
Series Composition：Tomoko Kinshun
Character Design : Jimitsu Abe
Prop Design: Nobuhiro Ando
Art Director: Kenta Tsuboi
Color Designer: Shoko Onodera
Director of Photography: Naho Hasegawa
Music: Avex Music Creative / Blue Bird's Nest
Sound Director: Hiroki Yamaki
Animation Production: Leiden Film
Production: ABC Animation

＜Cast
Mutsumi Sugimoto: Asaki Yukawa
Jirobo Enzan: Ryosuke Higa
Oishi Buchio: Kaji Yuki

＜WEB＞
Official website: #
Official X (former Twitter): #

[Original story information
■Comics "My Neighbor Yokai-san
<Main story> 4 volumes are now on sale at bookstores and mail-order sites nationwide.
4 volumes are now on sale at bookstores and mail-order sites nationwide!
Includes short stories that can only be read in book form!

<Gaiden
The first volume of the author's spin-off short story collection is now on sale. The second volume will be serialized as well!

(c)noho・East Press/"Tonari no Yokai-san" Production Committee