Yōsuke Kaneda’s fantasy romantic comedy manga, The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch (Japanese: Kuroneko to Majo no Kyōshitsu), is officially receiving a television anime adaptation, slated to premiere in 2026. The announcement was made via a newly launched website, which also unveiled key cast members, staff, and a teaser promotional video for the upcoming series.
Diving into the Magical World: What to Expect
The anime adaptation will bring to life the whimsical story of Spica Virgo, an apprentice witch who struggles with magic, and her unusual mentor. Fans can anticipate a blend of fantasy and romantic comedy elements, characteristic of Kaneda’s previous works.
The Premise: A Witch, a Curse, and a Secret Pact
The narrative centers on Spica Virgo, a witch apprentice who finds herself unable to use magic. Her dream is to attend the prestigious Royal Diana Academy, a magic school known for producing top-tier sorcerers. However, without a mentor or the necessary connections and funds, her aspirations seem out of reach.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Claude Sirius, a mysterious black cat who possesses the ability to speak and wield magic. Claude Sirius was once a world-renowned sorcerer and the youngest instructor at the Royal Diana Academy before mysteriously disappearing and being turned into a cat by a curse. Spica, desperate to learn magic, and the black cat, seeking a way to break his curse, form a secret master-apprentice pact. The key to lifting the black cat’s curse reportedly involves a kiss. Their intertwined goals set the stage for a unique and enchanting master-disciple relationship within a magical academy fantasy setting.
Key Talent Behind the Adaptation
The production of The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch anime will be handled by LIDEN FILMS. Naoyuki Tatsuwa is set to direct the series. Midori Gotō, known for her work on Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun and Mr. Villain’s Day Off, will be in charge of the series scripts. Character designs will be handled by Takayuki Onoda, who previously worked on Hortensia Saga.
The main voice cast includes Kaede Hondo as the protagonist Spica Virgo, and Nobunaga Shimazaki as Claude Sirius, the cursed magician-turned-cat. Both voice actors have expressed excitement for the project, with Hondo noting her connection to the character after voicing her in a promotional video, and Shimazaki expressing honor in taking on the dual role of teacher and mascot.
From Manga Pages to Animation
Yōsuke Kaneda launched The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch manga on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket website and app in March 2022. Kodansha has been publishing the series in English digitally through their K Manga service. As of August 2025, the manga is set to release its 12th compiled book volume.
Kaneda is also recognized for his previous work, Boarding School Juliet, which was serialized in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine and later Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 2015 to 2019. Boarding School Juliet also received a 12-episode television anime adaptation in October 2018. The success of his prior work sets a promising precedent for the upcoming adaptation of The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch.
