A new “song battle series” anime titled Ghost Concert: Missing Songs, produced by Elements Garden, animation studio ENGI, and publishing giant Kadokawa, has been officially announced for a 2026 broadcast. The project is described as a successor to the popular Symphogear franchise and is based on Noriyasu Agematsu’s GHOST CONCERT indie project, which originally launched in 2017.
The announcement was accompanied by a teaser trailer and a visual, along with initial details on the main cast, staff, and core plot.
Unveiling the Premise: A World Without Song
Ghost Concert: Missing Songs is set in a dystopian future, specifically the year 2045, where human singing is strictly prohibited. All music creation and performance are handled by an advanced application called “MiucS”.
The narrative centers on Seria Aiba, a young girl with the unique ability to perceive and interact with spirits. While out with friends, Seria unexpectedly hears a human voice singing, a sound that has become forbidden. Following this mysterious melody, she encounters an otherworldly entity—a powerful “Great Ghost”. The story also introduces a group of psychic mediums known as TERA and the concept of “Possession Requiem”. Minori Fujidera will star as Seria Aiba, with Rina Hidaka cast as Cleopatra VII, who appears to possess Seria’s body.
Key Creative Team and Production Details
The television anime boasts a seasoned creative team bringing the “song battle series” to life:
Director and Series Composer: Masato Jinbo
Masato Jinbo, known for his work on SUPER HXEROS and The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie, is helming the project as both director and series composer at studio ENGI. Jinbo’s past directorial credits also include Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya and Chaos;Child.
Animation Production: Studio ENGI
Animation duties are being handled by ENGI, a Japanese animation studio founded by Kadokawa, Sammy Corporation, and Ultra Super Pictures in 2018. ENGI has a track record of producing various anime series, often for its shareholders, and is known for its focus on new visual expressions using the latest technology and a significant number of 3DCG employees. Their previous works include Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! and The Detective Is Already Dead.
Music Production: Elements Garden
Elements Garden is producing all the music for Ghost Concert: Missing Songs. The musical group’s founding member, Noriyasu Agematsu, launched the original GHOST CONCERT indie project in 2017 to celebrate his 20th anniversary as a composer, aiming to “return to his roots”. Elements Garden is well-known for its involvement in various music-centric anime, including Symphogear, which Agematsu also co-created. The music composition for the anime will feature Junpei Fujita, Seima Kondo, and Daisuke Horikawa of Elements Garden.
Character Design and Art Direction
Masaaki Uikawa is responsible for the character designs. Art directors include Tetsuya Kusama and Atsushi Satomi, with Takeyuki Takahashi as the art designer. Aiko Matsuyama is the color designer, Atsushi Sato is the director of photography, and Yuji Kondo is the editor. Masanori Tsuchiya is the sound director, with Rei Ueno handling sound effects.
The Legacy of a “Song Battle Series”
Kadokawa emphasizes that Ghost Concert: Missing Songs is intended to be a new “Song Battle Series” following in the footsteps of Symphogear. This categorization suggests a narrative where music and combat are intrinsically linked, likely featuring powerful vocal performances alongside action sequences, a hallmark of Agematsu’s previous successful projects. The teaser trailer itself showcases supernatural action alongside a preview of the song “RES∞NALIST,” performed by Minori Fujidera and Rina Hidaka in character.
Fans can anticipate the series to premiere in 2026, with further details expected as production progresses.
