Kadokawa announced on Wednesday that Yūjirō Shirakawa, a member of the boy band Junretsu, will appear as a guest voice actor in the upcoming web anime series, Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi (Move! Cat Folktales). The anime, based on Pandania’s popular four-panel manga Neko Mukashi Banashi, is set to premiere on October 15 at 8:00 p.m. JST on its official YouTube channel, with new episodes streaming every Wednesday.
Shirakawa Joins Expanding Guest Cast
Yūjirō Shirakawa’s addition follows a previous announcement that Daisuke Sakuma of the idol group Snow Man would also join the cast as a guest voice actor. Details regarding the specific roles these guest stars will play have not yet been revealed, building anticipation for their appearances in the charming cat-themed series.
About Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi
The Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi anime adapts Pandania’s “cute comedy manga” that reimagines classic children’s stories and folktales from around the world by asking, “What if a cat appeared in this story?”. This unique premise promises a delightful blend of humor and nostalgia for viewers.
The series is directed by Kazumi Nonaka (known for Hana Kappa, Mameushi-kun) at Studio Comet. Kenichi Yamashita (Hensuki, MF Ghost) is handling the series scripts, and Narumi Shimoji (Charanpo Land no Bōken) is in charge of character designs.
Main Voice Cast
The previously announced main cast for the anime includes a talented lineup of voice actors:
- Yoshino Aoyama as Kijitora (brown tabby cat)
- Hiro Shimono as Chatora (orange tabby cat)
- Kana Ueda as Shironeko (white cat)
- Kanako Miyamoto as Mikeneko (calico cat)
The Popularity of Pandania’s “Cat Folktales”
Pandania’s original Neko Mukashi Banashi four-panel manga has been quite successful, with Kadokawa having published three volumes: Neko Mukashi Banashi, Nyanto! Neko Mukashi Banashi, and Mikke! Neko Mukashi Banashi. A fourth volume, Yo! Neko Mukashi Banashi, is scheduled for release on October 16. Pandania is also recognized for several other cat-themed manga, including Cats With Jobs and The Evil Secret Society of Cats, many of which are being released in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Fans can look forward to the whimsical and humorous interpretations of classic tales when Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi begins streaming on October 15.
