The highly anticipated sequel anime, Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers, has officially unveiled its full main cast, providing fans with a complete roster of the new generation of heroes. The announcement was accompanied by new teaser visuals and a promotional video that highlights the fresh take on the classic samurai armor action. The series is slated to premiere in January 2026.
New Generation of Samurai Troopers Revealed
Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks) is producing the sequel, which takes place in present-day Shinjuku and follows five young boys who don Yoroi Gear samurai armor to combat the resurrected demon emperor Arago. While Hiiro Ishibashi was previously confirmed as the voice of the protagonist, Gai, who wears the Armor of Inferno (also referred to as Wildfire), the latest reveal completes the main lineup.
The newly announced cast members and their respective characters are:
- Junya Enoki as Kaito Uesugi, who will don the Azure Armor and is also known as “Kite of the Blue Sky” (Sokyu).
- Ayumu Murase as Musashi Hojo, known as “Musashi of the Water Curtain” (Suiren).
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Yamato Hojo, identified as “Yamato of the Wilderness” (Koya).
- Kentaro Kumagai as Shion Ishida, taking on the mantle of “Shion of the Flash” (Senko).
A teaser visual released with the announcement features the five Samurai Troopers alongside the compelling tagline, “If we don’t do it, who will?”. Character visuals also showcase each of the main characters in both their armored and casual attire.
Creative Team Behind the Armor
The new Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers anime boasts a robust creative team, blending veteran talent with fresh perspectives to re-envision the beloved franchise.
Direction and Script
Yōichi Fujita, renowned for his work on Gintama and Mr. Osomatsu, is directing the new anime. Shōgo Mutō, known for his contributions to Crows Zero and Kamen Rider Build, is handling the series composition and script. The original story is credited to Hajime Yatate, the collective penname for the creative staff at Sunrise.
Character and Armor Design
The visual aesthetic of the new series is a collaborative effort:
- Yūhei Murota (Love Live!) is responsible for the main character designs.
- Tsukasa Kotoboki (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN MSD Cucuruz Doan’s Island) designs the villains.
- Hideo Okamoto, who worked on the original Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, returns to provide the original Yoroi Gear (armor) design concepts.
- Takuya Suzuki (Brave King GaoGaiGar Final Grand Glorious Gathering) handles the animated Yoroi Gear design.
Musical Composition
The musical score for the series is being composed by Shūji Katayama, known for his work on Overlord, promising an immersive auditory experience for viewers.
Legacy of Samurai Troopers
The original Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, known in the West as Ronin Warriors, first aired from 1988 to 1989, spanning 39 episodes. It quickly became a significant action anime, inspiring three OVA series, manga adaptations, and novels. Crunchyroll currently streams the original anime, allowing new fans and old to revisit the classic series ahead of the sequel’s launch. This new anime marks the first new television series for the franchise in approximately 37 years, offering an entirely original story set in a contemporary backdrop.
