Original TV anime Kaze wo Tsugu Mono has revealed a wave of new information, including an additional voice cast member, its opening and ending theme songs, and a trailer for the theatrical advance screening version.

A New Approach to Anime Storytelling

Kaze wo Tsugu Mono combines Live2D technology with traditional hand-drawn animation to portray the fleeting youth of the Shinsengumi during Japan’s turbulent late Edo period. Sakuma Daisuke of Snow Man stars as the amnesiac protagonist Tachikawa Jinsuke. A theatrical advance screening version, subtitled -Hajimari-, will run for two weeks from November 13, 2026, ahead of the TV anime’s broadcast premiere in January 2027 on the CBC/TBS network’s “Agaru Anime” block.

Uekawa Takaya Joins as Special Guest

Veteran actor Uekawa Takaya has been cast as Umeda Shinbei, a mysterious man claiming to be a samurai of the Iwakuni domain who persistently follows the protagonist Jinsuke. He is credited as a special guest (友情出演).

Uekawa has deep ties to the source material — he was formerly a member of the theatre company Caramel Box, founded by series scriptwriter Narui Yutaka, and previously played Hijikata Toshizo in the stage play Kaze wo Tsugu Mono, one of the works in the Tachikawa Jinsuke series.

In his comment, Uekawa said:

“The beloved stage play ‘Kaze wo Tsugu Mono,’ which my former theatre company performed 30 years ago on the theme of the Shinsengumi, is now being reborn as animation — and I get to participate as a performer. Both of these things make me truly happy. I hope everyone enjoys this new Kaze wo Tsugu Mono.”

Quruli and Hitsujibungaku Collaborate for the First Time

Kishida Shigeru of Quruli is handling the entire score for the series, composing over 50 tracks spanning Gion festival music, European classical music from Japan’s isolationist era, pre-dawn jazz, and contemporary sounds.

The TV anime’s opening theme is 「風を継ぐもの」 credited to Quruli + Hitsujibungaku, while the ending theme is 「涙の河」(Namida no Kawa) credited to Hitsujibungaku + Quruli. Both songs are performed by Shiotsuka Moeka, vocalist of Hitsujibungaku. “Namida no Kawa” also serves as the theme song for the theatrical advance screening version.

Kishida described the opening as sounding like sheep racing through Quruli’s vast musical world, while the ending is his reconstruction of Hitsujibungaku’s sonic universe — emotional, fragile, and heart-wrenching. Hitsujibungaku noted that working with Kishida was highly stimulating, and that they found Kaze wo Tsugu Mono to be a profoundly layered story.

Stage Greetings and Special Movie Tickets

To celebrate the theatrical release, stage greeting events will be held in Tokyo on November 13 and 14. On the 13th, Sakuma Daisuke, Kaji Yuki, and Kase Yasuyuki are scheduled to appear. On the 14th, Kaji Yuki, Yuki Aoi, Uchiyama Koki, Nakamura Yuichi, and Kase Yasuyuki will take the stage.

A special movie ticket card bundled with an A4 clear file featuring the theatrical version’s key visual goes on sale on September 25.

Staff & Cast

Staff

• Original Work: Aniplex, Narui Yutaka
• Director: Kawamura Tomohiro
• Script: Narui Yutaka
• Original Concept Cooperation: Mashiba Azuki
• Character Design: Ebina Fumi
• Music: Kishida Shigeru
• Animation Production: Live2D Creative Studio × Drive

Cast

• Tachikawa Jinsuke: Sakuma Daisuke
• Okita Soji: Kaji Yuki
• Koganei Hyogo: Yuki Aoi
• Hijikata Toshizo: Uchiyama Koki
• Kondo Isami: Nakamura Yuichi
• Nagakura Shinpachi: Kimura Ryohei
• Todo Heisuke: Murase Ayumu
• Harada Sanosuke: Tsuchiya Shinba
• Yamanami Keisuke: Otsuka Goo
• Serizawa Kamo: Kase Yasuyuki
• Kurosuke: Omori Himari
• Umeda Shinbei: Uekawa Takaya (special guest)