Exciting news for fans of the historical action-adventure manga and anime series Golden Kamuy! A spinoff novel focusing on the enigmatic Lieutenant Tsurumi is set to launch with a special edition that includes a brand-new anime on Blu-ray. Here’s everything you need to know about this thrilling development.
A New Chapter for Tsurumi Tokushiro
Golden Kamuy: Tsurumi Tokushirō no Shukugan (Golden Kamuy: Tokushiro Tsurumi’s Aspiration) is the first official spinoff novel based on Satoru Noda’s acclaimed Golden Kamuy manga. Written by historical mystery writer Amon Ibuki, the novel delves into the past of the complex and often unsettling character, Tsurumi Tokushiro. The story will explore the various shocking incidents that Tsurumi and the 7th Division experienced during the Russo-Japanese War, offering a deeper understanding of his motivations and the events that shaped him.
Blu-ray Bundle: A Treat for Anime Fans
The limited edition of the novel will be bundled with a Blu-ray Disc featuring brand new anime content. This anime will adapt two popular segments from the manga:
“Inazuma Gōtō to Mamushi no O-Gin” (“The Lightning Thief and Viper Ogin”): This chapter explores the backstory of the fan-favorite characters Ogin and Keiichiro Sakamoto.
“Shimaenaga” (“The Hokkaido Long-Tailed Snow Bird”): A mini-episode that provides a lighthearted break.
The new anime content will have a runtime of approximately 30 minutes.
Production Details
Shizutaka Sugahara, who served as chief director for the fourth television anime season, is returning to helm this new project. Brains Base, the studio behind the fourth season, is once again handling the animation.
Release Date and Pre-Order Information
Both the regular and special editions of Golden Kamuy: Tsurumi Tokushirō no Shukugan will be released in Japan on October 17, 2025. Pre-orders for the special edition, which includes the Blu-ray, will close on August 18, 2025.
Celebrating Lover’s Day
To commemorate June 12, which is celebrated as Lover’s Day in some countries, the anime staff released a key visual for the “Inazuma Gōtō to Mamushi no O-Gin” segment, featuring the notorious couple Ogin and Sakamoto.
What is Golden Kamuy?
Golden Kamuy, written and illustrated by Satoru Noda, is a manga series that was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump from August 2014 to April 2022. The series is set in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War in the early 20th century and follows Saichi Sugimoto, a war veteran searching for a hidden treasure of Ainu gold. He teams up with Asirpa, a young Ainu girl, and together they navigate the harsh wilderness of Hokkaido, encountering various factions and dangerous criminals along the way.
The manga has been praised for its engaging story, well-developed characters, historical accuracy, and depiction of Ainu culture. It has won numerous awards, including the Manga Taisho Award in 2016 and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2018.
Adaptations
The manga has been adapted into several forms of media, including:
- Anime: Four seasons of the anime television series have aired, produced by Geno Studio (seasons 1-3) and Brains Base (season 4). A fifth and final season adapting the manga’s final arc has been announced.
- Live-Action Film: A live-action film adaptation was released in Japan in January 2024, with Kento Yamazaki and Anna Yamada starring as Saichi Sugimoto and Asirpa, respectively.
- Live-Action Series: A live-action television series, serving as a continuation of the film’s story, premiered in October 2024.
- OVAs: Several original video animations (OVAs) have been released, bundled with limited editions of the manga.
Where to Watch
The Golden Kamuy anime series is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. Netflix is streaming the live-action movie which covers the first 4.5 episodes of the anime. Also Netflix is streaming the live-action sequel, Golden Kamuy -The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido, since February 6, 2025.
Ainu Culture
One of the most remarkable aspects of Golden Kamuy is its detailed and respectful portrayal of Ainu culture. The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan, primarily inhabiting Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. Their unique language, customs, and traditions have often been marginalized in Japanese society.
Satoru Noda, the author of Golden Kamuy, conducted extensive research to accurately depict Ainu culture in his manga. He consulted with Ainu language experts and incorporated many aspects of their daily life, cuisine, clothing, and spiritual beliefs into the story. The series has been credited with raising awareness of Ainu culture and promoting greater understanding and appreciation for their heritage.
Final Season
Following the conclusion of the fourth season in 2023, a final season adapting the manga’s final arc was announced. However, an official release date for the final season has yet to be revealed.
Other Golden Kamuy News
- The live-action film adaptation of Golden Kamuy was released on Netflix in May 2024.
- A live-action series titled Golden Kamuy: The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido premiered on Wowow in October 2024 and on Netflix in February 2025.
Golden Kamuy continues to captivate audiences with its blend of historical adventure, action, comedy, and cultural insights. The upcoming spinoff novel and anime are sure to be a hit with fans, offering a new perspective on the series’ complex characters and rich world.
