A brand-new television anime adaptation of Motoei Shinzawa’s beloved comedy manga, High School! Kimengumi, is officially set to premiere in January 2026. The highly anticipated series will air on Fuji TV’s prestigious Noitamina programming block every Friday at 11:30 p.m. JST, bringing the eccentric Funny-Face Club to a new generation of viewers.
Celebrating a Gag Manga Classic
High School! Kimengumi (Japanese: ハイスクール!奇面組) is a legendary gag manga that captivated audiences in the 1980s with its absurd humor and unforgettable characters. The series originated with 3-nen Kimengumi (Third Year Funny-face Club), which ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1980 to April 1982. Its direct sequel, High School! Kimengumi, continued in the same magazine from April 1982 to July 1987. The original work is celebrated for its parodies of Japanese high school life and its collection of eccentric individuals.
The upcoming anime adaptation commemorates the manga’s 45th anniversary, marking a significant return for the classic property decades after its initial publication.
A Look Back: Previous Anime Adaptations
The High School! Kimengumi manga previously inspired a popular TV anime series that aired from October 1985 to September 1987, spanning 86 episodes. An animated film also premiered in July 1986, further solidifying the series’ place in anime history. This new adaptation aims to recapture the original’s spirit with modern animation and a fresh voice cast, promising both nostalgia for long-time fans and an engaging experience for newcomers.
Talented Staff and Star-Studded Cast Lead the Production
The new High School! Kimengumi TV anime boasts a notable production team and a star-studded voice cast set to bring the quirky characters to life. Kazuaki Seki, known for his work on the film Kakukaku Shikajika and music videos for prominent artists, will direct the series, marking his first venture into animated production.
Key Staff Members Include:
- Director: Kazuaki Seki
- Series Composition: Shigeru Murakoshi
- Character Design: Yuka Abe
- Animation Director: Takashi Nishikawa
The Voices Behind the Funny-Face Club
The titular “Kimengumi,” a group of five male high school students known for their hilarious antics and unique faces, will be voiced by a talented ensemble.
Main Cast:
- Rei Ichido: Tomokazu Seki
- Go Reietsu: Shunsuke Takeuchi
- Kiyoshi Shusse: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
- Jin Daima: Chiaki Kobayashi
- Dai Monohoshi: Kikunosuke Toya
The heroines, Yui Kawa and Chie Uru, will be voiced by Haruka Shiraishi and Ikumi Hasegawa, respectively. The cast members have reportedly shared their personal connections to the series, reflecting the nostalgic and youthful tone of the original story.
Modern Take on a Classic Theme Song
Adding to the wave of nostalgia, an image music video has been released featuring a new, city-pop style cover of the original anime’s iconic theme song, “Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi”. This modern rendition promises to evoke the classic feel while appealing to contemporary audiences.
Fans can look forward to diving back into the absurd and unpredictable world of High School! Kimengumi when it makes its grand return to television screens in January 2026.
