The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Akira Konno’s “Kujima Utaeba Ie Hororo” (If Kujima Sings, the House Gurgles) has revealed its first teaser video, main staff, and primary cast members, confirming an April 2026 debut. The announcement offers fans a first look at the animated world of the peculiar creature Kujima and middle schooler Arata Kouda.
Teaser Video Offers First Glimpse
A teaser promotional video has been released, providing initial visuals and a taste of the animation style for “Kujima Utaeba Ie Hororo.” While details about the specific content of the teaser were not immediately available, such videos typically offer glimpses of the main characters, key settings, and a hint of the series’ overall tone, building anticipation for the full release.
Seasoned Staff to Helm Production
The production team behind the “Kujima Utaeba Ie Hororo” anime features a lineup of experienced individuals. Noriyuki Nomata is set to direct the series, with Shinichiro Kimura serving as series director. Yasunori Yamada is handling the series composition, ensuring the story’s flow and adaptation from the manga. The character designs, crucial for bringing Akira Konno’s distinctive art to life, will be crafted by Sakurako Mitsuhashi. Manami Kakudo is composing the music, aiming to set the atmospheric tone for the series. Animation production will be handled by Studio Hibari, known for its work on various anime titles.
- Director: Noriyuki Nomata
- Series Director: Shinichiro Kimura
- Series Composition: Yasunori Yamada
- Character Design: Sakurako Mitsuhashi
- Music: Manami Kakudo
- Animation Production: Studio Hibari
Main Cast Brings Beloved Characters to Life
The core cast members who will voice the central characters have also been announced. Yuria Kamitsuki will lend her voice to the titular enigmatic creature, Kujima. Joining her is Ayumu Murase, who will voice Arata Kōda, the middle school student who takes Kujima into his home.
Main Cast:
- Kujima: Yuria Kamitsuki
- Arata Kōda: Ayumu Murase
Plot Overview: A Mysterious Guest and a Changing Household
The story of “Kujima Utaeba Ie Hororo” centers on Arata Kouda, a first-year middle school student who encounters a peculiar, bird-like creature named Kujima in autumn. Finding Kujima hungry, Arata brings it home. Due to circumstances involving his older brother, Kujima ends up freeloading at the Kouda residence, initially stating it will only stay until winter passes and spring arrives. This “home comedy” explores the dynamics of the Kouda family as Kujima, a creature capable of speech and human-like eating habits, brings a new kind of life into a household already navigating the tensions of an older brother preparing for entrance exams.
Origin and Acclaim of the Manga Series
“Kujima Utaeba Ie Hororo” is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Akira Konno. The manga was serialized in Shogakukan’s Monthly Shōnen Sunday magazine from September 2021 to April 2024. It concluded with five tankōbon volumes, with the anime announcement coinciding with the release of its final volume.
The manga has garnered significant recognition and praise. It was nominated for the 2022 Next Manga Award in the print manga category, securing the 18th position among 50 nominees. It also ranked twelfth in the 2023 edition of Takarajimasha’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga for male readers. Furthermore, the series placed ninth in the “Nationwide Bookstore Employees’ Recommended Comics of 2023” survey and twelfth in the 2024 survey, receiving the Bookstore Staff Award of the eBookJapan Manga Award 2023. These accolades highlight the widespread appreciation for Konno’s unique storytelling and charming characters, setting a strong foundation for the upcoming anime adaptation.
