by The anime “Ikoku Nikki” will be broadcast on ABC TV, Tokyo MX, and BS Asahi starting in January 2026. It has been announced that Sawashiro Miyuki will play the role of Takashiro Makio, and Mori Fuko will play Tagumi Asa, and the first key visual and first promotional video have also been released.
The video for the anime “Ikoku Nikki” is based on the manga of the same name by Yamashita Tomoko, which was serialized in “FEEL YOUNG” (Shodensha) from 2017 to 2023. The story depicts the life of a shy novelist, Takashiro Makio, and his niece, Tagumi Asa, a girl who has lost both her parents, as they fumble their way through living together.
This popular work, which won fourth place in the Manga Taisho 2019, fifth place in the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2024 Women’s Edition, and first place in Da Vinci’s BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 comic ranking, continues to be beloved by many readers even after its serialization has concluded. Takashiro Makio, a shy novelist, impulsively takes in his niece, Tagumi Asa, who lost both her parents at her sister’s funeral.
Their unexpected cohabitation completely changes Makio’s previously quiet daily life. Unaccustomed to living with others, Asa feels uneasy about living with the 15-year-old. Meanwhile, Asa, who has lost both parents and is lost, experiences loneliness for the first time and is introduced to Makio’s “unadult” lifestyle, utterly different from his mother’s. Makio, who is not good at socializing and prefers solitude, and Asa, who is friendly and straightforward.
The two, with entirely different personalities and values, begin an awkward, albeit bewildering, life together. The story follows two people struggling to cohabit despite their significant age difference, both of whom live alone. Animation will be produced by Shuka, known for the “Natsume’s Book of Friends” series. In addition to the previously announced main staff, new staff members have also been announced, and their comments have been received.
The first newly released key visual depicts a scene from the contrasting daily lives of Makio and Asa, who seem to live in “different countries.” The faithful character designs of the original comic also raise expectations for the broadcast. The main characters, Takashiro Makio and Tagumi Asa, will be played by Miyuki Sawashiro, and Fuko Mori will play the roles.
The new trailer also features dialogue between Makio and Asa. Sawashiro delivers an emotional performance as the strong-willed yet shy Makio. In contrast, Mori, playing her first main character in this series, offers a fresh performance as the innocent yet delicate Asa. A campaign is also currently underway on the official X website. The anime “Ikoku Nikki” will begin airing on ABC TV, TOKYO MX, and BS Asahi in January 2026. The full comments from the cast and staff are below.
