The Tanuki to Kitsune anime will debut in Japan on October 4, in TV Tokyo’s Animori! block. The announcement is accompanied by a new key visual showing Tanuki and Kitsune sharing rice balls with their forest friends. No French or worldwide release has been confirmed at this stage. Also find the latest anime news from jeu.vidéo.
Key points
- Tanuki to Kitsune will begin airing in Japan on October 4 in TV Tokyo’s Animori! block.
- A new key visual shows Tanuki and Kitsune sharing rice balls with their forest friends.
- Tommy Hino is directing the new TV anime at Akatsuki Media Studio, with Rika Kihara handling the scripts.
- The Tanuki to Kitsune comic has 11 volumes and 3 illustrated books published in Japan, with more than 1.3 million copies sold.
This is a Japanese premiere, not an announced international release. The official announcement gives no streaming platform outside Japan and no schedule for France. What it confirms is a move beyond the series’ web format, with a new television production team.
Japan gets the anime on October 4
The Japanese broadcast will begin on October 4. TV Tokyo will air the series in its Animori! block, a programming slot identified in the announcement. No specific time, episode length or detailed schedule has been provided.
The date should not be read as a worldwide launch. October 4 applies to the Japanese broadcast, while simultaneous availability in France, Europe or North America has not been indicated.
TV Tokyo is confirmed, but international distribution is not
For now, TV Tokyo is the only broadcaster named. The Animori! block confirms a Japanese television slot; it does not confirm availability on an international streaming service.
A platform, subtitled release date or legal broadcast outside Japan would require a separate announcement. French-speaking viewers therefore know when the series starts in Japan, but not yet where they will be able to watch it from France.
The key visual sets a gentle tone
The new visual presents Tanuki and Kitsune sharing rice balls with their forest friends, emphasizing closeness rather than action. The Japanese slogan visible in the illustration evokes the idea that every day becomes special with the people around us.
The image reflects the series’ central dynamic. Tanuki is portrayed as slightly absent-minded, while Kitsune is more mischievous. They live together in the mountains and form a very close duo. The official announcement and its key visual allows these details to be checked directly.
The announcement includes no trailer. It focuses on the illustration, the Japanese release date and the production information, leaving the adaptation’s pacing, animation in motion and exact episode format unknown.
A comic with an established audience in Japan
Tanuki to Kitsune is based on a comic that is already well established in Japan. Atamoto publishes the original comic on X, while FrontierWorks releases a printed version. The official text mentions 11 volumes and 3 illustrated books already published for the series.
The license has reportedly surpassed 1.3 million copies sold in Japan. That figure does not guarantee the anime’s reach abroad, but it shows that the duo already has a substantial history with its original audience.
A first web anime adaptation was released on YouTube in 2018. Tomohiro Tsukimisato directed it, with animation produced by Lesprit. Readers looking for the broader context can browse our gaming and pop culture articles.
What changes with the move from web to television?
The comparison with the 2018 web adaptation should remain cautious because its length and precise episode content are not detailed here. The change in format is nevertheless clear. This is a return as a TV anime, with Tommy Hino directing, Akatsuki Media Studio handling the animation and Rika Kihara writing the scripts. On paper, television could give the duo more regular exposure than an occasional web release. The available announcement does not yet establish the animation quality.
For viewers, there is no purchase or subscription decision to make based on this announcement alone. No price, edition or required subscription has been confirmed. French-speaking fans mainly need to wait for legal distribution information in their region. For now, the visual confirms the project’s warm tone, not its international access conditions.
A new team takes charge of the TV adaptation
Tommy Hino is directing the new TV anime at Akatsuki Media Studio. Rika Kihara is writing the scripts. These are the creative credits confirmed for this production in the announcement.
The adaptation will need to preserve the comic’s gentleness without making its characters feel too polished. The relationship between a distracted tanuki and a mischievous fox depends on everyday situations, clear chemistry and a small dose of mischief. The key visual points in that direction, but only animated sequences will show how the series handles that balance.
The announcement provides a date and a production framework, but not yet a complete preview of the series. For further release details, the news section will remain the most useful place to check.
Details still missing before October 4
The Japanese broadcast date is set, while several questions remain open for international viewers.
- Will a release outside Japan be announced? This will determine legal access for the French community and whether a local premiere date follows.
- Will a trailer or detailed schedule be released? Those details would clarify the pacing, length and format of the TV adaptation.
- Will the new anime revisit elements from the 2018 web version? That comparison could show what this production adds to the license.
Frequently asked questions
When will Tanuki to Kitsune air?
The Japanese broadcast will begin on October 4 in TV Tokyo’s Animori! block.
Which platform will carry the anime in France?
No French or international platform has been confirmed. The announcement only cites the Japanese broadcast on TV Tokyo.
Is there an official trailer?
The current announcement presents a new key visual, but does not confirm a trailer.
Do I need to buy an edition or subscribe now?
No. No price, commercial edition or required subscription has been announced for this broadcast.
To keep following the story, also read our article on THE ONE PIECE revealing its key visual ahead of release, our article on Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle: cour 2 will return in.
Verified sources
These links can be used to verify the key information cited in this article.
- crunchyroll.com: Crunchyroll News — official page accessible, published on 2026-08-21; it confirms the new key visual, the Japanese broadcast on October 4 in TV Tokyo’s Animori! block and the main production credits.
