The highly anticipated anime spin-off of the beloved Raccoon Rascal series, Araiguma Calcal-dan (Raccoon Calcal Force), is gearing up for its television debut in April 2025. The official website and X (formerly Twitter) account unveiled a new visual, offering a glimpse into the story, its characters, and the premiere date.
A New Chapter for Raccoon Rascal
Araiguma Calcal-dan emerges nearly five decades after the original Raccoon Rascal anime series, which aired for 52 episodes in 1977 as part of Nippon Animation’s World Masterpiece Theater. The original series was based on Sterling North’s children’s novel, Rascal: A Memoir of a Better Era, a story about a boy who tries to domesticate a raccoon. The new anime shifts gears from the heartwarming narrative of a boy and his raccoon to a workplace comedy centered around a secret society.
The Plot Thickens: World Domination and Corporate Life
The anime’s story revolves around the Calcal-dan, a secret society with ambitions of world domination. What makes them unique is that they consistently rank as one of the world’s most popular companies. While the main members are elite individuals dedicated to fulfilling the goals of the company and its mysterious boss, the story focuses on a branch located in the quieter Tama region of Tokyo. This particular branch struggles with low business performance, and the employees haven’t seen a raise in quite some time. Despite these challenges, the members continue to work hard each day.
Meet the Calcal-dan Crew
A key visual and character profiles have been revealed, introducing the five main characters who make up the heart of Araiguma Calcal-dan:
- Acacal: Voiced by Junya Enoki, Acacal is a cheerful and optimistic new recruit to the Calcal-dan. He is a red raccoon, full of hope as he begins his journey with the company.
- Logical: Taku Yashiro voices Logical, a low-level executive who is always focused on business. His serious demeanor and dedication make him a key member of the team.
- Subcal: Kensho Ono lends his voice to Subcal, a modern-minded employee who expresses a level of detachment from everything. The name “Subcal” is a play on the abbreviation for “subculture,” hinting at his unique perspective.
- Comical: Yōhei Azakami plays Comical, a brusque but kind employee. Despite his tough exterior, he is a caring member of the Calcal-dan team.
- Middle: Kenjirō Tsuda voices Middle, the branch head who exudes a mysterious and cool silver fox aura. His leadership and enigmatic personality add an intriguing dynamic to the workplace.
Production Team
Araiguma Calcal-dan is directed by Henry Hirakawa at Nippon Animation. Ayano Yoshioka is responsible for the character designs, while Kisuke Koizumi serves as the sound director. Arisa Okehazama, known for her work on Jujutsu Kaisen, is composing the music. Kozo Misawa and Hitomi Hiratsuka are chief producers, with Kasumi Dekune and Hiroya Tanaka as producers.
A Nod to the Past
Adding to the excitement, Masako Nozawa, the original voice actress for Rascal the Raccoon, narrated a teaser trailer for Araiguma Calcal-dan. This connection to the original series adds a layer of nostalgia for long-time fans.
Broadcast Details
Araiguma Calcal-dan is set to premiere in April 2025 on Yomiuri TV and BS NTV channels in Japan. While an exact release date has not been announced yet, fans eagerly await the arrival of this new anime.
AnimeJapan 2025 Stage Event
Fans will have the opportunity to get an early glimpse of Araiguma Calcal-dan at AnimeJapan 2025, which will be held on March 22-23. Junya Enoki, Taku Yashiro, and Kensho Ono, the voices behind Acacal, Logical, and Subcal, respectively, will be in attendance at a stage event for the series.
