The official website for the upcoming television anime adaptation of Motoei Shinzawa’s classic gag comedy manga, High School! Kimengumi, has unveiled the voice cast and a “leader visual” for the “Udegumi” (literally “Arm Gang”), a prominent clique of all-around sports athletes. The new anime, set to premiere in January 2026, continues to build anticipation by revealing more key character groups.
Meet the “Udegumi” Athletes and Their Voice Actors
Leading the athletic “Udegumi” is Kai Undō, voiced by Yūsuke Kobayashi. Undō is depicted as an individual with excellent reflexes who holds numerous positions across various athletic clubs. The names of the Udegumi members, much like many characters in Kimengumi, are clever wordplays, often linked to physical education and athletic terms. For instance, Kai Undō’s name is a homonym for “athletic meet” in Japanese, while Ken Akiresu’s name puns on “Achilles’ heel.”
The full cast for the “Udegumi” includes:
- Yūsuke Kobayashi as Kai Undō (leader)
- Takuto Yokoyama as Ken Akiresu
- Masayuki Satō as Susumu Intahai
- Shuya Watanabe as Yutaka Konjō
- Ayumu Asakura as Chikara Suji
The “Udegumi” are known in the school halls for their athletic prowess and popularity, second only to the “Iro’otokogumi” (Handsome Men Group). However, their dedication to sports often comes at the expense of their non-athletic abilities, with Kai Undō frequently engaging in training even during class.
“High School! Kimengumi” Returns for the Reiwa Era
The announcement of the “Udegumi” cast follows earlier revelations about the main “Kimengumi” group and other student factions like the “Bangumi” (delinquents). The new anime adaptation of High School! Kimengumi is slated to begin airing in January 2026 on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block, bringing the beloved 1980s gag comedy to a modern audience.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Gag Comedy
Originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1982 to 1987, High School! Kimengumi is celebrated for its absurd humor and unforgettable cast. The story centers on a group of five idiosyncratic students, known as the “Kimengumi,” whose daily school lives are anything but ordinary. This new adaptation will set the chaotic school comedy in the contemporary Reiwa era, promising to reintroduce the series’ unique brand of humor to a new generation while catering to nostalgic fans.
Key Staff and Main Cast
Kazuaki Seki, known for his work on music videos for artists like Perfume and Gen Hoshino, will direct the new anime, marking his first foray into anime direction. Studio Seven is handling the animation production, with Slow Curve managing planning and production. Shigeru Murakoshi is overseeing the series scripts, and Yuka Abe is responsible for character designs.
The previously announced main cast for the core “Kimengumi” and other significant characters includes:
- Tomokazu Seki as Rei Ichidō
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Gō Reietsu
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kiyoshi Shusse
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Jin Daima
- Kikunosuke Toya as Dai Monohoshi
- Haruka Shiraishi as Yui Kawa
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Chie Uru
The anticipation for the new High School! Kimengumi anime continues to grow as more details, including the diverse and humorous character groups like the “Udegumi,” are brought into the spotlight.
