Eight captivating short stories from Tatsuki Fujimoto, the acclaimed creator behind the hugely popular manga Chainsaw Man and Look Back, are being adapted into an anthology anime series titled Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26. The series is set to premiere globally and exclusively on Prime Video on November 7, 2025.
This ambitious project will bring to life a collection of one-shots Fujimoto penned between the ages of 17 and 26, showcasing the raw and diverse storytelling that characterizes his early career.
Diving Into Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Early Works
The anthology series, Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, derives its title from the two-volume collection of Fujimoto’s early one-shots, Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 17-21 and Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 22-26. These volumes compile stories that predate his breakout serialized works like Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man.
The eight stories confirmed for animation include:
- “A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin’ in the Schoolyard”: A tale of two survivors forging a bond in a post-apocalyptic world. This was Fujimoto’s first submitted one-shot work in 2011.
- “Sasaki Stopped a Bullet”: Explores the intense emotions of adolescence. This story earned Fujimoto a Jury Special Award in 2013.
- “Love is Blind”: A sci-fi romantic comedy where love takes on a cosmic scale.
- “Shikaku”: Follows the twisted love story of an unhinged assassin girl.
- “Mermaid Rhapsody”: Weaves a touching romance between a boy and a mermaid, centered around an underwater piano.
- “Woke-Up-as-a-Girl Syndrome”: Delves into finding one’s true self beyond gender norms.
- “Nayuta of the Prophecy”: Chronicles the journey of siblings bound by a harsh destiny.
- “Sisters”: Depicts rivalry, conflict, and growth between artistically inclined sisters.
These stories delve into themes such as adolescence, obsession, love, madness, family, and self-identity, reflecting the creative impulses of Fujimoto’s formative years.
A Collaborative Creative Endeavor
To capture the distinct essence of each short story, the Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 anime project boasts a collaborative effort involving seven acclaimed directors and six leading animation studios. This approach promises a unique visual and narrative interpretation for each episode, reflecting the diverse nature of Fujimoto’s early work.
Notable directors attached to the project include Tetsuaki Watanabe (Blue Lock), Nobuyuki Takeuchi (Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?), and Kazuaki Terasawa (The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2). The animation studios contributing to the anthology are ZEXCS, Lapin Track, GRAPH77, 100studio, Studio Kafka, and P.A.WORKS.
The voice cast also features prominent actors such as Kensho Ono, Shun Horie, Kana Hanazawa, and Tomokazu Sugita.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Impact on Manga and Anime
Tatsuki Fujimoto has garnered significant international recognition for his innovative and often unconventional storytelling. His serialized works, Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man, have achieved critical and commercial success, with Chainsaw Man in particular becoming a global phenomenon. The manga follows Denji, a young boy who merges with a Chainsaw Devil, Pochita, to hunt demons and pay off his father’s debt.
Fujimoto is known for his detailed and expressive character designs, as well as his unique and surrealistic story elements. He has stated that he draws inspiration from films, particularly Korean cinema, aiming to create narratives that keep the audience constantly wondering what will happen next.
In addition to his serialized manga, Fujimoto has released other highly praised one-shot works such as Look Back and Goodbye, Eri, both of which have been collected into single volumes. Look Back itself was adapted into an anime film, which premiered on Prime Video on November 7, 2024.
The upcoming Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 anthology promises to offer fans a deeper look into the creative genesis of one of manga’s most celebrated contemporary artists, showcasing the foundation of the unique style that has captivated audiences worldwide.
