The highly anticipated new television anime adaptation of Motoei Shinzawa’s classic comedy manga, High School! Kimengumi, has released its first promotional video and unveiled a significant expansion to its voice cast, alongside details on its theme song artists. The series is set to premiere on January 9, 2026, on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block, airing Fridays at 11:30 p.m. JST.
This new anime marks the franchise’s first completely new adaptation in 39 years, bringing the eccentric Funny-Face Club to the modern Reiwa era.
Expanded Voice Cast Introduces New Character Groups
The new High School! Kimengumi anime has significantly bolstered its cast, revealing 13 additional voice actors who will portray members of various school cliques, joining the previously announced main cast.
The Udegumi (Arm Group)
Joining the ranks are the members of the “Udegumi” (Arm Group), a quintet known for their athletic prowess despite struggling academically.
- Yusuke Kobayashi as Kai Undo, the leader of the Udegumi.
- Takuto Yokoyama as Ken Akiresu.
- Masayuki Sato as Susumu Intahai.
- Shuya Watanabe as Yutaka Konjo.
- Ayumu Asakura as Chikara Suji.
The Irootokogumi (Pretty-boy Brigade)
The “Irootokogumi” (Pretty-boy Brigade) also sees its members cast, with a notable addition from the music world.
- Daisuke Sakuma (Snow Man boy band member) as Sho Kireide, the leader of the Irootokogumi.
- Hayato Yamamoto as Kimeru Setto.
- Yohei Sasamori as Torio Tanokin.
- Ayato Morinaga as Kazaru Sugata.
- Hiroki Nishimiya as Takashi Hokori.
The Bangumi (Delinquent Group)
The “Bangumi” (Delinquent Group) also adds five new cast members, bringing another distinctive group to life.
- Nobuhiko Okamoto as Yo Nihiruda, the leader of the Bangumi.
- Toshiki Horikita as Omiya Nakasudo.
- Yuhi Asagiri as Kensaku Meri.
- Masafumi Kobatake as Ranto Jogai.
- Kazuki Ogawa as Koeru Tabuchi.
These new cast members join the previously announced core voice cast:
- Tomokazu Seki as Rei Ichido.
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Go Reietsu.
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kiyoshi Shusse.
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Jin Daima.
- Kikunosuke Toya as Dai Monohoshi.
- Haruka Shiraishi as Yui Kawa.
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Chie Uru.
Further cast members include M.A.O as Jako Amano, Kaoru Sakura as Maki Hidari, Sachiko Okada as Ikue Sandanhara, Marie Ōi as Desuko Honba, and Minami Shindō as Kayo Ōba.
Theme Song Artists and Modern Arrangement
The new anime will feature a modern rearrangement of the original anime’s first theme song, “Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi.” This cover version is performed by Haruka Shiraishi (Yui Kawa) and Ikumi Hasegawa (Chie Uru), with Night Tempo handling the contemporary arrangement. Night Tempo is also producing the project’s songs. The original “Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi” was performed by the female Japanese pop music duo of the same name, a sub-group of Onyanko Club, which was popular in the 1980s.
Production Team
The new High School! Kimengumi anime is directed by Kazuaki Seki at Animation Studio Seven. This marks Seki’s first time directing an animated production. Takashi Nishikawa serves as the animation director, while Shigeru Murakoshi is in charge of series composition. Yuka Abe is designing the characters. Slow Curve is responsible for planning and production.
About High School! Kimengumi
High School! Kimengumi is based on the gag comedy manga by Motoei Shinzawa, which was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. The story initially began as 3-Nen Kimengumi (Third-Year Funny-Face Club) in 1980 before changing its title to High School! Kimengumi in 1982 as the characters progressed to high school. The series centers on the wacky antics of the “Kimengumi” (Funny-Face Club), a group of five eccentric students, and their interactions with classmates and teachers. The original television anime aired for 86 episodes between 1985 and 1987.
