The dark fantasyTougen Anki, which bears an uncanny resemblance toJujutsu Kaisenin several ways, has been quietly captivating fans of the supernatural battle manga genre in recent years. Now that the battle betweenJujutsu Sorcerers and Curseshas reached its conclusion, there’s no better time to shift the spotlight to an even older conflict — namely, the ancient struggle between Oni (demons) and Momotaro (humans).
As revealed in a post to@tougenanki_anm, the official X account ofTougen Anki, the cult-classic mangawill be adapted into an anime with a scheduled premiere sometime in July 2025. Directed by Ato Nonaka, the series will be produced by the renowned anime studio, Studio Hibari. Furthermore, the production has secured a top-tier voice cast, including Naito Mudano (known for voicing Levi Ackerman inAttack on Titan), Manaka Iwami (who voiced Touko Kanbayashi inZom 100: Bucket List of the Dead), and Kazuki Ura (who provided the voice for a character inTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint).
Jujutsu Kaisen Fans Will Find a Lot to Like With Tougen Anki
The Story Might Be Different but the Vibe Is Inescapable
The anime, an adaptation of Yura Urushibara’s manga of the same name, follows high school student Shiki Ichinose.Like Yuji Itadori, Shiki was leading an uneventful life until he was suddenly attacked and nearly killed. Determined to uncover the reason behind the assault, Shiki discovers he is an Oni, and his attacker was a Momotaro. Realizing his life will never be normal again, Shiki seeks revenge against the Momotaro who killed his stepfather in the initial attack. He joins the Oni community, not unlike the Jujutsu Sorcery community, to explore and develop his previously unknown powers.
Tougen Anki Updates an Ancient Tale for the Gritty Post-Modern Age
Based on the Manga by Yura Urushibara; Anime Produced by Studio Hibari
While Tougen Anki shares a number of themes, character types, power systems, and action-packed, occult-infused fight scenes withJujutsu Kaisen,it is very much its own story and equally exciting. One unique aspect ofTougen Ankiis how it integrates an old, well-known Japanese fable into its narrative. According to that fable, when an elderly, childless couple finds a giant peach in a river, they open it to find a spanking new baby boy inside. Figuring this is a gift from the gods, they take in the boy and raise him as their son, naming him Momotaro.
As it turns out, Momotaro is exactly what the couple dreamed of – a devoted son who helps them in every aspect of their lives. However, years later, rumors spread that troublesome Oni had begun terrorizing the land. Determined to protect his family, Momotaro bids farewell to the couple and sets out to eliminate the Oni threat before it reaches their doorstep. Though the quest proves more challenging than initially anticipated, Momotaro perseveres and, with the aid of newfound friends, ultimately returns home triumphant.
The genius ofTougen Ankilies in how it takes the classic “happily ever after” trope and turns it on its head. First, there’s the revelation that Momotaro and his companions didn’t quite finish the job. Not only did some Oni manage to escape, but they also found a way to blend into human society for thousands of years. Second, while the original Momotaro might have been a virtuous and noble hero, his descendants are far from that. Instead, they are something far more cunning and morally ambiguous.
This unique setup paves the way for a compelling and unpredictable story that manga fans will eagerly anticipate seeing adapted to the small screen.Tougen Ankialso offers plenty forJujutsu Kaisenfans to appreciate, thanks to its similar dark fantasy and supernatural themes.
Sources:@tougenanki_anm
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
