Singer-songwriter Chiai Fujikawa has been tapped to perform the ending theme song, “Inori” (Prayer), for the upcoming television anime series, SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table. The announcement, made by Kadokawa, confirms her latest contribution to the anime music landscape, with the series set to premiere on January 7, 2026.
Fujikawa’s “Inori” to Conclude Each Episode
Chiai Fujikawa not only performs the new ending theme but also penned the lyrics for “Inori”. The music and arrangement for the song were handled by Seima Kondō from Elements Garden. Fujikawa shared her sentiments on “Inori,” stating that the song encapsulates the struggles of individuals carrying profound, unspoken emotions yet striving to move forward, a sentiment she described as a form of prayer. She emphasized the dual meaning of the word “Yuku” in Japanese, signifying both death and “going,” highlighting the journey through life towards its inevitable end.
Anime’s Anticipated January 2026 Debut
SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table is an anime adaptation of the light novel series by Yūshi Ukai and illustrated by Nekometal. The series is scheduled to begin its broadcast on Tokyo MX on January 7, 2026, with its inaugural episode being a special 60-minute presentation airing at 11:00 p.m. Subsequent episodes will air at 11:30 p.m. The anime will also be available for streaming on platforms like Netflix in Japan, coinciding with its television debut. Additional broadcast channels include ABC TV, also starting January 7, and WOWOW from January 13.
Production Details and Voice Cast
Studio DEEN is producing the anime, with Sōta Ueno (known for Days With My Stepsister) directing the series. Rintarou Ikeda (The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon’s Judgement) is in charge of series composition, and Eri Osada (Blade & Soul) is designing the characters. The sound direction is overseen by Noriyoshi Konuma (The Dangers in My Heart), and Junichi Matsumoto is composing the music.
The main cast features Chiyuki Miura as Yuuki, Rena Motomura as Aoi, Inori Minase as Kinko, Haruka Satō as Kokutō, Mutsumi Tamura as Beniya, and Rina Kawaguchi as Momono.
Chiai Fujikawa’s Renowned Anime Contributions
Chiai Fujikawa has established a strong presence in the anime music scene, particularly recognized for her work on The Rising of the Shield Hero franchise. Her previous contributions include “Kimi no Namae,” “Atashi ga Tonari ni Iru Uchi ni,” “Yuzurenai,” and “Suki ni Natte wa Ikenai Riyuu” for various seasons of the popular fantasy anime. Before her solo career, Fujikawa was a member of the idol group Maneki Kecak, graduating in September 2018 to pursue her solo artistic endeavors. She has since released numerous digital singles, full albums, and mini-albums.
