The highly anticipated anime film, The Irregular at Magic High School THE MOVIE -Yotsuba Succession Arc-, is officially slated for a “next winter” release in Japan, arriving during the winter season of 2026. The announcement, made on January 1, 2025, and further detailed at Aniplex Online Fest 2025, confirmed the main production staff and introduced new additions to the voice cast, along with a teaser video.
A Deeper Dive into the Yotsuba Succession Arc
The upcoming film will adapt the 16th volume of Tsutomu Sato’s original light novel series, which is a pivotal storyline focusing on the intense “battle” for the leadership of the powerful Yotsuba clan. This arc is particularly significant as it positions Miyuki Shiba as a key candidate, exploring the profound implications this could have on her bond with her brother, Tatsuya. Chiwa Saito, the voice actress for Maya Yotsuba, described it as a “heavy arc” and a crucial turning point for Tatsuya and Miyuki’s relationship.
Key Creative Team Returns to the Franchise
Studio Eight Bit, which has been responsible for the animation of the series’ second and third seasons, as well as The Irregular at Magic High School: Reminiscence Arc movie, will once again be at the helm for this film. Director Jimmy Stone, who previously directed the third television season, is set to lead the project. Tsutomu Sato, the original author of the light novel series, is credited for the original story, while Kana Ishida, the original illustrator, is handling the original character designs and serves as the character designer for the film. Taku Iwasaki will compose the music.
New and Familiar Voices Join the Ensemble
The Aniplex Online Fest 2025 revealed two notable additions to the film’s voice cast: Daisuke Ono will voice Katsushige Shibata, and Ai Kayano joins as Yuka Tsukuba. While not explicitly stated for this particular film in all initial announcements, fans can expect the return of lead voice actors Yuichi Nakamura as Tatsuya Shiba and Saori Hayami as Miyuki Shiba, who have consistently portrayed the siblings throughout the franchise.
Continuing a Legacy: The Irregular at Magic High School Franchise
The Irregular at Magic High School franchise originates from Tsutomu Sato’s light novel series, which first debuted online in 2008 before being published by Dengeki Bunko in 2011. The series, set in a world where magic has been integrated with technology, follows the gifted siblings Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba as they navigate the complexities of First Magic High School and the broader magical society. The light novel series concluded with 32 volumes in September 2020, with a sequel series beginning shortly thereafter.
The anime adaptation first premiered in April 2014, with subsequent seasons and films expanding the narrative. The most recent installment was the third television season, which aired from April to June 2024, directly preceding the announcement of this new film. The franchise has garnered a substantial global fanbase, selling over 22 million copies worldwide, showcasing its enduring popularity.
