by The upcoming TV anime “Zijin: Gyoneko-bo Forbidden City Cat Security Room” has revealed its non-credit opening video and preview images for Episode 1, giving viewers a first look at the new Chinese animated series’ Japanese-dubbed version.
The anime is scheduled to begin its Japanese television broadcast on October 10, 2026, with an unusual premiere format: Episodes 1 through 4 will air consecutively on TOKYO MX. The series will then move to its regular weekly schedule from Episode 5 onward. BS Nippon Television will also broadcast the first four episodes together on October 11.
Set inside Beijing’s famous Forbidden City, the series follows six intelligent and courageous cats who belong to a secret organization responsible for protecting precious cultural treasures.
The cats may look adorable, but they are highly trained guardians. Their mission takes them into a mysterious world hidden inside cultural artifacts, where they must protect the memories contained within those treasures and confront a dangerous enemy known as Black Owl.
With its combination of fantasy, Chinese history, cultural heritage, mystery, action, and talking cats, Forbidden City Cat Security Room is shaping up to be one of the more unusual anime titles of the Fall 2026 season.
What Is Forbidden City Cat Security Room About?
Forbidden City Cat Security Room is the Japanese-dubbed version of the Chinese animated series “Zijin: Yu Mao Fang” (紫禁・御喵房).
The series was inspired by cats that actually live in and around Beijing’s Forbidden City. The anime transforms that real-world inspiration into a fantasy adventure involving a secret feline organization that protects national treasures.
The story takes place in a hidden corner of the Forbidden City.
While human visitors explore the historic palace complex without knowing what is happening around them, a secret group of cats works behind the scenes.
This organization, known as the Forbidden City Cat Security Room, is responsible for protecting cultural treasures.
The six cats possess different personalities, abilities, and areas of expertise.
Together, they enter a mysterious dimension called the “Bukka World.”
Inside this world, cultural artifacts contain special memories known as “Bukka” (物華). These memories are connected to the history and stories preserved within cultural objects.
The cats’ mission is to protect these memories from Black Owl, an evil entity that seeks to damage or destroy them.
The result is a fantasy adventure in which historical artifacts become gateways to another world.
What Are “Bukka” and the Bukka World?
One of the most important concepts for new viewers is Bukka (物華).
In the anime’s story, cultural artifacts are not simply old objects.
They contain memories.
These memories are represented by the concept of Bukka, and the cats enter the Bukka World to protect them.
This gives the series a fantasy explanation for why cultural heritage is important.
A cup, painting, sculpture, piece of jewelry, or other historical object can represent much more than its physical value.
It can preserve stories about the people, traditions, craftsmanship, and historical period connected to it.
The anime turns this idea into an adventure setting.
Instead of simply protecting an artifact from being stolen, damaged, or destroyed, the cats must also protect the memories contained within it.
That concept gives the series a strong connection between fantasy storytelling and cultural preservation.
Six Cats Become the Guardians of Cultural Heritage
The central characters are six cats who form the core team of the Forbidden City Cat Security Room.
Each member has a different personality and role, allowing the group to function as a team.
The main six are:
- Soubi (Shuangmei) — voiced by Kazuki Ura
- Oboi (Aobai) — voiced by Makoto Furukawa
- Heian — voiced by Sora Amamiya
- Zeze — voiced by Takeo Otsuka
- Rohan (Luban) — voiced by Kentaro Tone
- Momo — voiced by Hikaru Tono
The official website describes Soubi as the leader of the group and one of the most intelligent members among the military cats. He is calm when making decisions but also has a strong sense of adventure and is willing to enter dangerous situations.
The remaining members bring their own personalities and abilities to the group.
Their differences are an important part of the series because the cats do not always agree.
Sometimes they argue.
Sometimes they compete.
But when a cultural treasure is in danger, they must work together.
Who Is Soubi?
Soubi is the protagonist and leader of the cat security team.
He is voiced in the Japanese version by Kazuki Ura.
Soubi is presented as a highly intelligent military cat who can remain calm when making difficult decisions.
However, he is not simply a serious leader.
He also has an adventurous side and is willing to take risks when necessary.
This combination of intelligence, confidence, and curiosity makes him the natural leader of the group.
As the story develops, Soubi and the other cats are expected to face increasingly dangerous missions involving the Bukka World and Black Owl.
Who Is Oboi?
Oboi is one of the military cats and is voiced by Makoto Furukawa.
He is known for his strong physique and physical ability.
Where Soubi represents intelligence and leadership, Oboi brings physical strength to the team.
This creates an important balance within the group.
The characters are not simply six versions of the same hero. Their different personalities and abilities allow them to approach problems in different ways.
Who Is Heian?
Heian, voiced by Sora Amamiya, has an unusual background.
She was formerly a stray cat before becoming part of the military group.
This background gives her a different perspective from some of the other members.
Her experience outside the organization can also help distinguish her character from the more traditionally trained members of the team.
Who Is Zeze?
Zeze, voiced by Takeo Otsuka, specializes in gathering information.
This makes him particularly useful when the team needs to investigate a mysterious artifact or understand what is happening inside the Bukka World.
Information can be just as important as physical strength in the group’s missions.
Zeze’s role therefore adds an investigative element to the team.
Who Is Rohan?
Rohan, voiced by Kentaro Tone, is the oldest member of the support staff associated with the group.
His experience provides another layer of knowledge and guidance for the younger members.
His role also helps broaden the world beyond the six central cats.
Who Is Momo?
Momo, voiced by Hikaru Tono, is another member of the support staff.
Together with Rohan, Momo helps the main group as they carry out their missions.
The support characters help make the Forbidden City Cat Security Room feel like an actual organization rather than simply a group of six characters who happen to work together.
The Main Enemy: Black Owl
The cats’ biggest enemy is Black Owl, an evil entity that harms the Bukka.
Black Owl threatens both the cultural artifacts and the memories associated with them.
This gives the conflict a different purpose from a conventional battle between heroes and villains.
The cats are not simply fighting to defeat an enemy.
They are protecting history.
Every artifact they encounter can contain memories and stories that are worth preserving.
Black Owl therefore represents a direct threat to the world the cats are trying to protect.
In the Japanese version, Black Owl is voiced by Sho Hayami.
The character is expected to become one of the major forces driving the story forward.
Non-Credit Opening Video Released
The latest promotional update is the release of the non-credit opening video.
A non-credit opening removes the usual opening credits from the footage, allowing viewers to see the animation and visual sequences more clearly.
The opening features the six main cats and introduces the energetic fantasy-action atmosphere of the series.
It also gives viewers an early impression of the relationship between the characters and the world they are about to explore.
The official anime website confirms that Riko Azuna (Riko Anzuki/安月名莉子) performs both the opening and ending theme songs.
This corrects an important detail in the original draft: the artist’s name should be written Riko Azuna, not “Yasuzuki Riko.”
The opening theme is listed as “Truly,” while the ending theme is “Chill Choose!”.
The two songs are designed to provide contrasting impressions of the series, with the opening accompanying the cats’ adventurous and heroic side and the ending offering a different look at their daily lives.
Episode 1 Preview Images Released
Along with the non-credit opening, preview images and the synopsis for Episode 1, “The Beginning of the Adventure,” have also been released.
The episode introduces viewers to Soubi and the other members of the cat security team.
Their first major mission takes them into the Bukka World associated with an important historical artifact.
The first episode establishes the basic rules of the series:
- Cultural artifacts contain memories.
- Those memories are called Bukka.
- The cats are responsible for protecting them.
- The cats can enter the Bukka World.
- Black Owl threatens the Bukka.
- The team must work together to protect cultural heritage.
This makes Episode 1 particularly important for newcomers because it establishes the fantasy mechanics behind the entire series.
Episode 1: “The Beginning of the Adventure”
The first episode focuses on the Doucai Sanqiu Cup, a Ming Dynasty wine cup.
The cats enter the world associated with the artifact in order to protect the memories contained within it.
Their enemy, Black Owl, threatens to damage those memories.
Soubi and the other members must therefore enter the mysterious Bukka World and prevent the destruction of the artifact’s memories.
The story combines historical inspiration with fantasy adventure.
The Doucai Sanqiu Cup is not simply treated as a decorative object.
Within the anime’s world, it becomes the center of an entire adventure.
The characters must understand the situation surrounding the artifact, enter its mysterious world, and confront the threat facing its Bukka.
This setup immediately demonstrates the central idea of the anime:
Protecting a cultural artifact also means protecting the memories and stories connected to it.
Why the Forbidden City Setting Is Important
The setting is one of the most distinctive aspects of the anime.
The Forbidden City in Beijing is one of China’s most famous historical sites.
The anime takes that real-world location and imagines a hidden world existing alongside the human world.
Humans visit the Forbidden City to see its buildings, artwork, artifacts, and historical treasures.
But according to the anime’s fantasy setting, there is another story happening behind the scenes.
Cats secretly protect those treasures.
This creates a fun contrast between the real and imaginary worlds.
Visitors may see cats wandering around the historic complex, but they do not know that some of those cats could secretly be guardians.
The premise therefore takes something familiar—the cats associated with the Forbidden City—and transforms it into a fantasy adventure.
Inspired by Real Cats of the Forbidden City
One of the interesting details behind the production is that the original work was inspired by cats that actually live in and around Beijing’s Forbidden City.
This real-world inspiration gives the anime’s premise an unusual foundation.
The creators take an everyday sight—cats living around a historic location—and imagine what those animals might be doing when humans are not watching.
The result is a secret society of feline guardians.
The anime’s official promotional material describes the cats as being modeled on cats that actually live at Beijing’s Forbidden City.
This makes the concept especially appealing to viewers who enjoy both cats and historical settings.
A Chinese Anime With a Japanese-Dubbed Release
Another important point for new viewers is that Forbidden City Cat Security Room is not originally a Japanese anime.
It is a Chinese-produced animated series receiving a Japanese-dubbed release.
The Japanese version is being produced by KADOKAWA, while the original production is associated with iQIYI. The official credits list iQIYI as the production company and KADOKAWA as responsible for the Japanese version.
This makes the series part of the growing presence of Chinese animation in the Japanese anime market.
For international anime fans, it is also an opportunity to discover a story that combines Chinese cultural settings and mythology-inspired fantasy with Japanese voice acting.
Forbidden City Cat Security Room Release Date
The Japanese-dubbed version will begin broadcasting on October 10, 2026.
However, fans should note the unusual premiere schedule.
TOKYO MX
October 10, 2026 — 8:00 p.m.
Episodes 1 through 4 will air consecutively.
From Episode 5 onward, the anime will move to its regular schedule:
Every Wednesday at 11:30 p.m., beginning October 14.
BS Nippon Television
The first four episodes will air on:
October 11, 2026 — 2:30 a.m.
From Episode 5 onward:
Every Wednesday at 1:00 a.m.
The official website also says that the series will be distributed through various streaming services, with schedules subject to change.
Streaming Platforms
The announced Japanese distribution lineup includes services such as:
- d Anime Store
- U-NEXT
- ABEMA
- Anime Hodai
- NicoNico
- DMM TV
- Lemino
- FOD
- Bandai Channel
- Hulu
- TELASA
- J: COM STREAM
- Amazon Prime Video
- HAPPY! Video
- Video Market
- music.jp
- Kantai Doga
Availability and release times can vary by platform and region, so viewers should check the relevant service before the premiere.
For viewers outside Japan, international availability may be different from the Japanese broadcast schedule.
What Makes This Anime Different?
At first glance, Forbidden City Cat Security Room may look like a cute anime about cats.
The six protagonists certainly have an adorable appearance.
But the series is more ambitious than a simple comedy.
It combines several genres:
Fantasy + Action + Mystery + Historical Culture + Adventure + Cats
The characters fight enemies, investigate mysteries, explore magical worlds, and protect historical treasures.
This mixture gives the anime a distinctive identity.
A viewer might begin watching because of the cats but stay because of the mystery surrounding the Bukka World.
Cultural Heritage Becomes an Adventure
One of the most interesting ideas in the series is its approach to cultural heritage.
Historical artifacts can sometimes seem distant to younger audiences.
A museum display may simply look like an old object behind glass.
This anime takes the opposite approach.
It imagines that every artifact has a story.
Every object has memories.
Every historical treasure can become the setting for an adventure.
That approach can make cultural history feel more accessible to younger viewers.
Instead of learning about an artifact only through dates and descriptions, viewers can imagine the emotions and memories associated with it.
The fantasy element therefore becomes a way of making cultural heritage more engaging.
The Balance Between Cute Characters and Action
The series also appears to rely heavily on contrast.
The characters are cats.
They are cute.
They have distinct personalities.
But they also participate in combat and dangerous missions.
The official promotional material emphasizes this contrast, presenting the cats as characters who can move gracefully while also engaging in intense action.
This could make the series appealing to multiple audiences.
Younger viewers may enjoy the colorful characters and animal protagonists, while older anime fans may be interested in the mystery, historical setting, and action sequences.
What Can Beginners Expect From Episode 1?
For viewers who have never heard of the series, Episode 1 should provide an introduction to the world rather than assuming extensive knowledge.
The episode is expected to establish:
- Who Soubi and the other cats are.
- What the Forbidden City Cat Security Room does.
- What Bukka means.
- What the Bukka World is.
- Why cultural artifacts need protection.
- Who Black Owl is.
- Why the cats must work together.
- How the Doucai Sanqiu Cup becomes connected to their first adventure.
This makes the premiere a natural starting point for new viewers.
Why the October 10 Premiere Is Unusual
Many anime premieres begin with a single episode.
Forbidden City Cat Security Room is taking a different approach.
The first four episodes will be broadcast consecutively on TOKYO MX.
This gives viewers a substantial introduction to the world right away.
It also means that the story can establish its characters, rules, and central conflict without requiring viewers to wait several weeks to understand the broader premise.
After that four-episode launch, the anime will settle into its weekly schedule beginning October 14.
What to Watch for in the New Anime
There are several elements worth paying attention to when the anime premieres.
The Bukka World
The fantasy world connected to cultural artifacts is likely to be one of the series’ most important visual elements.
The Six Cats
Each cat has a different personality and role, so their interactions are expected to be an important part of the story.
Black Owl
The main antagonist’s goals and connection to the Bukka World will likely become increasingly important.
Historical Artifacts
The series uses real cultural objects as the starting point for fantasy adventures.
The Forbidden City
The historic location provides the background for a hidden world that humans cannot see.
The release of the non-credit opening video and Episode 1 preview images gives fans a closer look at Forbidden City Cat Security Room ahead of its October 2026 Japanese premiere.
The series follows six intelligent and courageous cats who secretly protect cultural treasures inside Beijing’s Forbidden City. By entering the mysterious Bukka World, they attempt to protect the memories contained within historical artifacts while fighting the evil Black Owl.
The Japanese version features a strong voice cast led by Kazuki Ura as Soubi, alongside Makoto Furukawa, Sora Amamiya, Takeo Otsuka, Kentaro Tone, and Hikaru Tono. Additional cast members include Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, M・A・O, Makoto Koichi, Shinnosuke Tachibana, Mahiro Yamanaka, Genta Nakamura, and Sho Hayami.
The series will also stand out because of its unusual premiere schedule. Episodes 1–4 will air consecutively on October 10, 2026, giving viewers a four-episode introduction before the anime moves to its regular weekly broadcast schedule from Episode 5.
With its combination of adorable cats, historical treasures, fantasy worlds, action, mystery, and Chinese cultural heritage, Forbidden City Cat Security Room offers a distinctive premise for Fall 2026.
For cat lovers, fantasy fans, and viewers interested in discovering anime and animation from outside Japan, this new series could be an intriguing addition to the Fall 2026 lineup.
The adventure of Soubi and his fellow feline guardians begins on October 10, 2026.
