The TV anime Tenmaku no Jādūgal (天幕のジャードゥーガル), adapted from Tomato Soup‘s award-winning historical manga serialised in Akita Shoten’s Souffle magazine, is currently airing on TV Asahi’s nationwide 24-station “IMAnimation” block and BS Asahi. Set in 13th-century Mongolia, the series follows Sitara, a former slave girl whose actions shake the foundations of the Mongol Empire.

As part of an ongoing interview series, the production conducted an email interview with Nojima Kenji, the voice actor behind Juchi — eldest son of Genghis Khan and a man of quiet demeanour who harbours firm convictions beneath the surface. Nojima spoke about his first impressions of the work, his approach to the role, his favourite character besides Juchi, and a pivotal moment in his own life.

First Impressions of the World of Tenmaku no Jādūgal

Asked what drew him to the source material, Nojima said the sweeping tide of history and the passion of the people living within it left a vivid impression on him. The collision of strategy and culture, he noted, creates a world that is impossible to look away from once you step inside it.

Juchi: Calm on the Surface, Conflicted Within

On his first impression of Juchi, Nojima described him as someone with a strong core who strives to stay true to his beliefs. Behind his composed exterior, Nojima sensed a hidden inner conflict — a quality that makes the character feel genuinely human and rewarding to portray.

In terms of his performance approach, Nojima chose not to let Juchi’s emotions erupt outwardly, instead focusing on preserving the quiet composure that lies beneath. He also noted that scenes where the brothers appear together required particular care in balancing each character’s energy against the others.

“I Love Sitara’s Intellectual Strength”

When asked which character besides Juchi caught his attention, Nojima answered without hesitation: Sitara, the protagonist. He admires how she carves her own path through a cruel fate using intelligence and sheer force of will — a quality he described as transcending any social status. “I love her intellectual strength,” he said.

A Life-Changing Moment: The COVID-19 Pandemic

Reflecting on the series’ theme of people navigating great historical currents, Nojima shared that the COVID-19 pandemic was his own major turning point. The sudden upheaval of studio recording schedules and the cancellation of live events initially left him at a loss. But he reframed the situation — “there are things only possible right now” — and used it as a springboard to launch online reading-performance events, opening up new avenues of creative expression for himself.

A Message to Viewers

Nojima encouraged fans to immerse themselves in the grand-scale historical romance the series delivers, and to pay close attention to Juchi and all the other characters fighting to survive in a turbulent era. “Please don’t miss a single episode until the very end,” he said.

Tenmaku no Jādūgal — Staff & Cast

Staff

• Original Work: Tomato Soup — Tenmaku no Jādūgal (Souffle, Akita Shoten)
• General Director: Yamada Naoko
• Director: Abel Gongora
• Series Composition: Kato Kanichi
• Character Design / Animation Chief: Yoshida Kenichi
• Direction Chief: Fujikura Takuya
• Art Director: Kabasawa Yuri
• Color Design: Konno Narumi
• Photography Director: Takahashi Naoki
• Editor: Hirose Kiyoshi
• Music: Hino Kojiro
• Sound Director: Konuma Noriyoshi
• Animation Production: Science SARU

Cast

• Sitara: Sekine Akira
• Doregene: Koshimizu Ami
• Fatima: Kuwashima Houko
• Muhammad: Saito Jun
• Ogedei: Shimono Hiro
• Tolui: Suzuki Ryota
• Shira: Irino Miyu
• Chagatai: Namikawa Daisuke
• Juchi: Nojima Kenji
• Sorqoqtani: Kuno Misaki
• Moge: Asai Ayaka
• Kyrgystani: Shintani Mayumi
• Boraqchin: ????

Theme Songs

• Opening Theme: SEKAI NO OWARI — “Stella”
• Ending Theme: Queen Bee (女王蜂) — “Hoshi (星)”