The highly anticipated new television anime adaptation of Motoei Shinzawa’s classic gag comedy manga, High School! Kimengumi, has officially revealed the cast for the “Bangumi” delinquents. The announcement, which includes a new “leader visual,” adds further excitement to the upcoming series slated for a January 2026 premiere.
Nobuhiko Okamoto will lead the “Bangumi” (a term referring to gangs in Japanese, literally “Program”) as the voice of Yō Nihiruda, the group’s leader. This notorious quintet of students, known for having repeated a year in junior high, promises to bring a fresh layer of chaotic humor to the Reiwa era adaptation.
Meet the “Bangumi” Delinquent Cast
The newly unveiled cast members for the “Bangumi” delinquents include a talented roster of voice actors set to embody the infamous group:
- Yō Nihiruda: Voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto.
- Omiya Nakasudō: Voiced by Toshiki Horikita.
- Kensaku Meri: Voiced by Yūhi Asagiri.
- Ranto Jōgai: Voiced by Masafumi Kobatake.
- Koeru Tabuchi: Voiced by Kazuki Ogawa.
These additions will round out the diverse student body of Ichiou High, ensuring plenty of comedic clashes and unlikely friendships as the story unfolds.
A Modern Take on a Classic Comedy
Originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 1980 as 3-Year Strange Mask Group before evolving into High School! Kimengumi, the series garnered a significant following for its absurd humor and unforgettable characters. The original anime adaptation ran for 86 episodes from 1985 to 1987. This new 2026 reboot aims to introduce the timeless antics of the Funny-Face Club to a new generation while setting the story in the modern Reiwa era.
The anime will air on Fuji TV network’s Noitamina programming block on Fridays at 11:30 p.m. JST (9:30 a.m. EST).
The Creative Team and Main Characters
Kazuaki Seki, known for his creative visuals in various music videos for artists like Perfume and Gen Hoshino, will be directing his first anime project with High School! Kimengumi at Animation Studio Seven. Takashi Nishikawa serves as animation director, with Shigeru Murakoshi handling series composition, and Yuka Abe designing the characters. Slow Curve is responsible for the planning and production of the project, with Night Tempo overseeing the anime’s new songs.
The main cast for the eccentric “Kimengumi” (Strange Mask Group) themselves was previously announced, featuring a strong lineup of voice talent:
- Rei Ichidō: Voiced by Tomokazu Seki.
- Gō Reietsu: Voiced by Shunsuke Takeuchi.
- Kiyoshi Shusse: Voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka.
- Jin Daima: Voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi.
- Dai Monohoshi: Voiced by Kikunosuke Toya.
- Yui Kawa: Voiced by Haruka Shiraishi.
- Chie Uru: Voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa.
With the main cast, creative team, and now the rival “Bangumi” delinquents officially announced, the new High School! Kimengumi anime is shaping up to be a monumental return for the beloved franchise, promising a fresh, chaotic, and hilarious school comedy for 2026.
