The highly anticipated “Iron Wok Jan!” (Tetsunabe no Jan!) manga by Shinji Saijyo is officially set to receive a TV anime adaptation, slated for release in 2026. Esteemed director Ei Aoki will helm the project at his studio Troyca, promising a thrilling culinary battle series for fans worldwide. Makoto Uezu will be handling the series composition for the anime.
A Culinary Clash Comes to the Screen
Shinji Saijyo’s “Iron Wok Jan!” manga, which originally ran in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1995 to 2000, is renowned for its intense cooking competitions and dramatic flair. Often described as a blend of “Iron Chef” and a martial arts story, the series focuses on Jan Akiyama, a cocky and arrogant young chef determined to fulfill his grandfather’s wish of surpassing his arch-rival, Mutsuju Gobancho.
The narrative unfolds at the Gobancho restaurant, where Jan encounters Kiriko Gobancho, Mutsuju’s granddaughter, who shares a fierce rivalry with Jan mirroring their grandfathers’. While Kiriko believes cooking should be about heart and making people happy, Jan approaches it as a ruthless competition, aiming for culinary supremacy. This clash of ideologies and exceptional cooking skills forms the core of the manga’s appeal, filled with imaginative dishes and high-stakes culinary duels.
The Creative Minds Behind the Adaptation
The upcoming anime boasts a strong creative team, with veteran director Ei Aoki at the helm. Aoki, who established studio Troyca in 2013 with Toshiyuki Nagano and Tomonobu Kato, has an impressive filmography that includes critically acclaimed titles such as Fate/Zero, Aldnoah.Zero, Re:Creators, and ID:Invaded. His expertise in crafting visually striking and narratively engaging anime makes him a fitting choice to bring the dynamic world of “Iron Wok Jan!” to life.
Studio Troyca, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, has become known for its high-quality animation and diverse portfolio. Beyond Aoki’s directorial works, the studio has produced anime like Bloom Into You, Beautiful Bones: Sakurako’s Investigation, and the IDOLiSH7 series. Their involvement suggests a visually rich and meticulously animated adaptation that will do justice to Saijyo’s detailed descriptions of culinary battles.
The Legacy of “Iron Wok Jan!”
The original “Iron Wok Jan!” manga was serialized for 27 volumes and has seen several follow-ups, including “Iron Wok Jan! R: The Summit Operations” and a spin-off titled “Tetsupai no Jan!”. Despite its popularity, this 2026 announcement marks the first television anime adaptation for the series, much to the excitement of its long-standing fanbase. The manga has been praised for its unique take on the cooking genre, transforming culinary arts into a high-octane battleground.
The series has left a significant cultural impact, often being compared to “Iron Chef” for its competitive cooking format. With a proven director and an accomplished animation studio, the “Iron Wok Jan!” anime is poised to introduce this iconic culinary saga to a new generation of viewers while satisfying long-time fans with a fresh, animated take on Jan Akiyama’s fiery quest for cooking dominance.
