The highly anticipated new television anime adaptation of Motoei Shinzawa’s classic gag comedy, “High School! Kimengumi,” has unveiled the cast and a visual for the infamous “Omegumi” all-girl delinquent gang. M.A.O will lead the charge as Jako Amano, the group’s formidable leader, as the series prepares for its January 2026 premiere, marking the first new animation for the franchise in 39 years.
The Return of a Classic: High School! Kimengumi in the Reiwa Era
“High School! Kimengumi” (also known as “High School! Funny-Face Club”) is making a grand comeback, nearly four decades after its original television anime run from 1985 to 1987. The original manga, which began as “3-Year Strange Mask Group” in 1980 and transitioned to “High School! Kimengumi” in 1982, captivated audiences with its absurd humor and eccentric characters. While the initial series was set in the 1980s, this new adaptation will transport the chaotic school comedy to the modern Reiwa era, promising a fresh take for both long-time fans and new audiences.
The narrative continues to center around the “Kimengumi,” a group of five wildly idiosyncratic students whose daily lives are anything but ordinary. They find themselves befriending the school’s “cutest girl” and her best friend, leading to a nonstop series of wacky and heartwarming misadventures.
Meet the Omegumi: Cast and Characters
A significant announcement for the upcoming anime is the casting of the “Omegumi” all-girl gang, a prominent group of characters in the “High School! Kimengumi” universe.
Jako Amano: The Charismatic Leader
Leading the Omegumi is Jako Amano, whose visual has been revealed, showcasing her distinctive long black hair and a cocoa cigarette often held in her mouth. Voice actress M.A.O, known for her diverse roles, will bring Jako Amano to life. M.A.O describes Jako as a “mischievous” and “contrary” character with a powerful and cool demeanor that occasionally gives way to a cute and playful charm, making her truly captivating.
The Rest of the Omegumi Crew
Joining Jako Amano are four other members of the Omegumi gang, each with their own unique personalities:
- Maki Hidari voiced by Kaoru Sakura
- Ikue Sandanbara voiced by Sachiko Okada
- Desuko Honba voiced by Marie Ōi
- Kayo Oba voiced by Minami Shindo
The Omegumi are depicted as a group of five girls who have repeated a year of junior high. They are known as problem children who frequently leave school early, driven by a desire for excitement in a world they find mundane.
Production Team and Premiere Details
The new “High School! Kimengumi” anime is being produced by Studio Seven, with planning and production handled by Slow Curve. Kazuaki Seki, celebrated for his work on music videos for artists like Perfume and Gen Hoshino, is directing his first anime project. Takashi Nishikawa serves as the animation director, while Shigeru Murakoshi is overseeing the series scripts. Character designs are being handled by Yuka Abe, known for her contributions to “Fire Force.” Music producer Night Tempo is creating the anime’s songs, including a modern rearrangement of the original anime’s iconic theme song “Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi,” covered by Haruka Shiraishi and Ikumi Hasegawa.
The series is slated to premiere in January 2026 and will air on Fuji TV network’s Noitamina programming block on Fridays at 11:30 p.m. JST.
The Enduring Charm of Kimengumi
“High School! Kimengumi” is renowned for its unique blend of gag comedy, slapstick humor, and memorable characters whose names are often clever puns. The revival aims to capture the same chaotic energy that made the original a cult classic, introducing a new generation to the bizarre adventures of the Kimengumi and their colorful schoolmates. With a talented voice cast and a creative production team, the upcoming series is set to reintroduce one of Weekly Shonen Jump‘s most beloved and eccentric comedies to the modern anime landscape.
