A new “light anime” adaptation of Hiroto Ida’s popular comedy manga, Omae wa Mada Gunma o Shiranai (You Don’t Know Gunma Yet), officially titled Omae wa Mada Gunma o Shiranai ~Reiwa-ban~ (You don’t know GUNMA yet. ~Reiwa Version~), is slated to premiere in January 2026. The announcement was made by publishing and anime production company IMAGICA Infos, confirming that the series will air on SKY PerfecTV!’s Tetsudō Channel.
Returning to Gunma’s Quirky Culture
The You Don’t Know Gunma Yet manga, known for its humorous exploration of the unique culture and stereotypes of Japan’s Gunma Prefecture, centers on high school student Nori Kamitsuki. Nori moves from Chiba Prefecture to a fictionalized version of Gunma, initially armed only with frightening online rumors about the area. Upon arrival, he quickly encounters locals who possess an ardent love for Gunma’s distinct customs and way of life.
Hiroto Ida launched the manga on Shinchosha’s Kurage Bunch website in October 2013, concluding the series in May 2019 with 11 compiled book volumes.
What is “Light Anime”?
This upcoming adaptation is specifically categorized as a “light anime.” DNP (Dai Nippon Printing) pioneered the “light anime” concept with the goal of producing animation more cost-effectively and on a quicker timeline compared to traditional animation production workflows. This approach allows for a more timely creation schedule, potentially bringing stories to screens faster. The “Balloon” label, associated with this initiative, aims to produce four new titles in the 2026 fiscal year, with an ambitious target of over ten projects annually by 2028.
Previous Adaptations of “You Don’t Know Gunma Yet”
The upcoming “light anime” is not the first time Ida’s quirky manga has received an adaptation. The series previously inspired a 12-episode anime shorts series, produced by Asahi Production and CJT, which aired from April to June 2018. Crunchyroll streamed this earlier anime under the title You Don’t Know Gunma Yet.
In addition to the animated shorts, the manga also branched into live-action adaptations. A four-episode live-action television series aired between March 6 and March 27, 2017, starring Shotaro Mamiya as Nori Kamitsuki. Mamiya also reprised his role in a live-action film adaptation that premiered in July 2017. These prior adaptations underscore the manga’s enduring appeal and its unique take on regional Japanese identity.
