Kadokawa has announced that Yūjirō Shirakawa of the boy band Junretsu and Daisuke Sakuma of the idol group Snow Man will appear as guest voice actors in the upcoming web anime, Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi (Move! Cat Folktales). The charming series, which reimagines classic folktales with feline characters, is set to debut on October 15, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. JST on its official YouTube channel.
Idol Power Joins the Feline Cast
The addition of Yūjirō Shirakawa and Daisuke Sakuma brings significant star power to Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi. Shirakawa, a prominent member of the popular boy band Junretsu, was the latest guest voice actor revealed by Kadokawa. Prior to this, Daisuke Sakuma, a member of the acclaimed idol group Snow Man, was also confirmed to lend his voice to the series as a guest. While specific roles for their guest appearances have not been detailed, their involvement is expected to draw a wider audience to the whimsical web anime.
A Fresh Take on Timeless Tales
Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi is an adaptation of Pandania’s popular four-panel manga, Neko Mukashi Banashi (Cat Folktales). The premise of the series is a delightful blend of humor and nostalgia, asking the question, “What if a cat appeared in children’s stories and folktales from all around the world?” This unique concept promises to deliver a fresh and amusing perspective on well-known narratives, ranging from Cinderella to Ikkyu-san and Momotaro.
Core Cast and Creative Team
The anime boasts a talented main cast bringing the central feline characters to life:
- Yoshino Aoyama as Kijitora (brown tabby cat)
- Hiro Shimono as Chatora (orange tabby cat)
- Kana Ueda as Shironeko (white cat)
- Kanako Miyamoto as Mikeneko (calico cat)
Behind the scenes, the production is helmed by experienced creators. Kazumi Nonaka, known for works such as Hana Kappa and Happy Happy Clover, is directing the anime at Studio Comet. Kenichi Yamashita, who has contributed to series like Hensuki and MF Ghost, is in charge of the series scripts. Narumi Shimoji (Charanpo Land no Bōken) is handling the character designs, ensuring the charming visual style of Pandania’s original work is maintained. The music for the anime is composed by Dai Haraguchi.
Premiere and Streaming Schedule
The Ugoku! Neko Mukashi Banashi web anime is scheduled to premiere on October 15, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. JST. New episodes will be streamed every Wednesday on the official YouTube channel, providing a consistent flow of content for viewers to enjoy.
The Enduring Appeal of Pandania’s Neko Mukashi Banashi Manga
The anime is based on Pandania’s successful four-panel manga series. Kadokawa has already published three volumes of the manga: Neko Mukashi Banashi, Nyanto! Neko Mukashi Banashi, and Mikke! Neko Mukashi Banashi. The fourth volume, Yo! Neko Mukashi Banashi, is slated for release on October 16, shortly after the anime’s debut. Pandania is also recognized for other cat-centric manga, including Cats With Jobs and The Evil Secret Society of Cats, with several of their works being released in English by Seven Seas Entertainment and Dark Horse Comics.
