The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Tomato Soup’s award-winning historical manga, A Witch’s Life in Mongol, officially titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, has unveiled its key staff and confirmed a July 2026 premiere. Produced by the critically acclaimed studio Science SARU, the series also released a new teaser trailer and visual, giving fans a first look at the animated historical epic.
Science SARU at the Helm: A Studio Known for Visual Flair
Animation powerhouse Science SARU, celebrated for its distinctive artistic style and high-quality productions such as Devilman Crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, and Dandadan, will be leading the animation for Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia. This choice has generated significant excitement among fans, who anticipate a visually stunning adaptation of the historical drama. The studio’s involvement suggests a unique and dynamic approach to bringing the 13th-century Mongolian setting to life.
The Visionary Directors: Naoko Yamada and Abel Gongora
The project boasts an impressive directorial team. Renowned director Naoko Yamada, known for her work on beloved films like A Silent Voice and Liz and the Blue Bird, will serve as Chief Director, lending her acclaimed storytelling sensibility to the series. Joining her as Director is Abel Gongora, whose credits include Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and co-directing DAN DA DAN Season 2, promising a blend of artistic vision and dynamic execution. This dual leadership aims to capture the nuanced narrative and expansive world of the manga.
Crafting the World: Character Design, Series Composition, and Music
Further strengthening the production team are other notable talents. Kenichi Yoshida, celebrated for his character designs in Eureka Seven, takes on the role of character designer and animation chief, ensuring a compelling visual representation of the manga’s cast. Kanichi Kato, known for his work on The Eminence in Shadow, is handling the series composition, which will be crucial in adapting the intricate court drama and political intrigue of the source material. The musical score will be composed by Koshiro Hino, setting the atmospheric tone for the historical narrative.
Delving into the Plot: A Story of Wisdom and Power in the Mongol Empire
Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is a historical court drama set in the 13th century within the sprawling Yeke Mongol Ulus, the greatest empire of its time. The narrative centers on Fatima, a woman from Persia renowned for her advanced medical and scientific knowledge.
Having been brought to the palace of the Mongols, Fatima seeks an arena to apply her expertise. She soon finds herself under the guidance of Töregene, the sixth wife of Ögedei, the second Great Khan. Töregene harbors complex feelings about the direction of the empire. Together, these two women become pivotal figures, their combined wisdom and actions beginning to challenge and disrupt the very foundations of the palace’s politics and, by extension, the world itself. Their journey is one of revenge and influence, as they leverage their intelligence to navigate the treacherous political landscape.
The Source Material: An Award-Winning Manga
The anime is based on Tomato Soup’s manga series, A Witch’s Life in Mongol (original title Tenmaku no Jaadugar), which began serialization in 2021 on Souffle by Akita Shoten. The manga has garnered critical acclaim, topping the female reader category of the “This Manga is Amazing!” list and being recognized as a top historical fiction manga in Apple Books Store’s 2022 Best Manga list. It was also nominated for a Manga Taisho award in both 2023 and 2024. Yen Press has licensed the series for English distribution, with the first volume released on May 27. As of April 2025, the manga has five volumes published.
Anticipating the July 2026 Premiere
The announcement of a July 2026 premiere window places Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia among the highly anticipated anime releases of that year. The series is slated to broadcast on the TV Asahi network in Japan, with further details on international streaming to be announced. Fans are encouraged to follow the official global X (formerly Twitter) account (@Jaadugar_global) for the latest updates on this historical epic. The anime’s producers, Go Inagaki (Science SARU) and Kazuki Endo (TV Asahi), are also set to provide behind-the-scenes insights at an Anime Expo 2025 panel, further building anticipation for its debut.
