Anime Debut Announcement: Hyakki Yakou Shou Manga Adaptation
The legendary horror manga Beyond Twilight, which is created by the very talented Ichiko Ima, is finally getting a brand new adaptation that has everyone talking. The official X/Twitter handle of Asahi Shimbun Publications, via the Nemuki+ magazine, has recently shared the big news that Hyakki Yakou Shou will be adapted into a television anime series. This upcoming show is set to premiere in April 2026 and will follow a short-form format. For those who prefer watching on their gadgets, it will also be available for online streaming, making it quite accessible for the global audience.
The Story of Ritsu and the Supernatural World
If we look back at its history, Aurora Publishing, Inc. had previously brought this manga to the English-speaking world as Beyond Twilight. Unfortunately, they could only release a single volume before they had to shut down their operations back in 2010. The story is very deeply rooted in supernatural themes and follows a young man named Ritsu Ijima. From the time he was born, Ritsu inherited a special "sixth sense" from his grandfather, who was a famous novelist. This ability allows him to see restless spirits and demons that others simply cannot perceive. After his grandfather passes away, a major life-altering event forces Ritsu to enter into a contract with a powerful demon named Blue Storm (also known as Seiran) to keep himself safe.
Many fans feel that why Hyakki Yakou Shou is a hidden gem is because of how it balances eerie horror with emotional family drama. The series is essentially a collection of self-contained stories where Ritsu encounters various unsettling phenomena. The anime adaptation will feature Nobuhiko Okamoto voicing Ritsu, while Ikumi Hasegawa will voice Tsukasa Ijimi, and Hironori Kondo will take on the role of Seiran. The ending theme song, titled "Nanimo Narenai," will be performed by the band Yang Skinny.
A Long Legacy of Awards and Adaptations
Ichiko Ima first started this captivating journey way back in 1995 within the pages of Nemuki magazine. When that magazine closed in 2012, the series shifted to Nemuki+. It is quite amazing that the manga is still going strong after all these decades. The 31st compiled volume was released in Japan in April 2024, and the 32nd volume is expected to hit the stands on April 7, coinciding with the anime premiere. Over the years, the series has made a massive impact on the industry:
- 2005: Received recommendation at the 9th Japan Media Arts Festival.
- 2005: Became a finalist for the Grand Prize at the prestigious 9th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.
- 2006: Won the Excellence Award in the Manga Division at the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival.
- Other Media: The series has also inspired two stage plays (2003 and 2006) and a 9-episode live-action TV drama in 2007.
The upcoming "light anime" version is being produced by Imagica Infos and Imageworks Studio, with Saya Fukase as the director. For anyone who enjoys dark fantasy and psychological mystery, understanding why Hyakki Yakou Shou is a hidden gem is essential to appreciate the depth of Ichiko Ima's work. We are all waiting to see how the animation format brings these hauntingly beautiful stories to life this April.
Update: This post has been updated with new details from the Nemuki+ March issue regarding the cast, staff, and the specific broadcast date of April 7 on tvk. It truly is a big moment for long-time followers of the series.
Sources: Nemuki+'s X/Twitter account, Nemuki+ March issue, Comic Natalie
