The highly anticipated television anime adaptation of Tomoko Yamashita’s popular Ikoku Nikki (Diary of a Strange Land) manga has officially revealed its main cast, additional production staff, and confirmed a January 2026 premiere. The announcement was accompanied by the release of the anime’s first promotional video and a new key visual, building excitement for fans of the acclaimed josei series.
Key Voice Cast Members Revealed for Makio and Asa
Leading the cast are two prominent voice actors who will bring the central characters to life. Miyuki Sawashiro, known for her versatile roles, has been cast as the shy 35-year-old novelist Makio Kōdai. Joining her is Fuko Mori, taking on her first major role as Makio’s 15-year-old niece, Asa Takumi.
Both Sawashiro and Mori shared their enthusiasm for their respective roles. Sawashiro expressed her dedication to capturing Makio’s essence, stating, “I concentrated on somehow conveying the fragrance of Makio from the original work as closely as possible through my voice.” Mori, for her part, described Ikoku Nikki as her first anime role after an audition and expressed joy at being involved, hoping to convey the work’s message about the “difficulty and preciousness of people caring about each other.”
Talented Staff Brings Manga to the Screen
Behind the scenes, a skilled team is assembling at animation studio Shuka (known for the Natsume’s Book of Friends series) to adapt Yamashita’s nuanced story. Miyuki Oshiro is directing the series. Kōhei Kiyasu is handling the series composition and scriptwriting, while Kenji Hayama is responsible for the character designs. The evocative music for the series will be composed by Kensuke Ushio.
The staff lineup promises a faithful and visually appealing adaptation that aims to respect the original manga’s unique atmosphere.
January 2026 Premiere and Broadcast Details
Fans can mark their calendars for January 2026, when Ikoku Nikki is slated to begin its broadcast on ABC TV, TOKYO MX, and BS Asahi in Japan. The first promotional video released offers a glimpse into the anime’s aesthetic, featuring “beautiful, clear animation” and showcasing dialogue from the two main characters, giving audiences a taste of the emotional depth to come. The accompanying key visual depicts scenes from Makio and Asa’s daily lives, highlighting their contrasting personalities and the “different countries” they seem to inhabit despite living together.
The Critically Acclaimed Source Material
The Ikoku Nikki anime is based on Tomoko Yamashita’s josei manga, which ran in Shodensha’s Feel Young magazine from June 2017 to June 2023, concluding with 11 tankōbon volumes. The story follows Makio Kōdai, a reserved 35-year-old novelist, who unexpectedly takes in her 15-year-old niece, Asa Takumi, after Asa’s parents tragically die in a car accident. Their lives, initially marked by contrasting personalities and grief, slowly intertwine as they navigate their new cohabitation and learn to understand each other.
The manga has garnered significant critical acclaim, including ranking 4th in the “Manga Taisho 2019” awards, 5th in the women’s edition of “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2024,” and securing the top spot in the comic rankings of “Da Vinci BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023.” The series also inspired a live-action film adaptation which premiered in June 2024.
