by The synopsis and preview stills for Episode 3 (Episode 52) of the winter 2026 anime Golden Kamuy: Final Chapter have officially been released. Titled “Atsushirō-san’s Number One,” this highly anticipated episode is scheduled to air on Monday, January 19, 2026.
As the anime enters its final phase, Episode 52 marks a critical turning point, bringing together multiple storylines that have been carefully built over the course of the series. The relentless pursuit of the stolen Ainu gold accelerates, long-standing rivalries erupt into violence, and fate draws one of the most dangerous fugitives face-to-face with Asirpa.
With the conclusion now in sight, Golden Kamuy raises the stakes higher than ever.
Rising Tension as the Series Nears Its Conclusion
As Golden Kamuy: Final Chapter approaches its long-awaited ending, tension is mounting across every faction involved in the gold hunt. Hijikata Toshizō’s group continues its uncompromising pursuit, while betrayals, shifting loyalties, and violent confrontations threaten to undo carefully laid plans.
Episode 52 stands out not only for its action, but also for its emotional weight. Characters are forced into dangerous situations that test their convictions, and the consequences of past decisions begin to surface with brutal clarity.
About Golden Kamuy
Golden Kamuy is based on the critically acclaimed manga by Satoru Noda, originally serialized in Weekly Young Jump (Shueisha). The story follows:
- Saichi Sugimoto, a Russo-Japanese War veteran nicknamed “Immortal Sugimoto”
- Asirpa, a young Ainu girl with deep knowledge of survival and culture
Together, they are drawn into a deadly competition over a massive cache of stolen Ainu gold, pursued by soldiers, criminals, revolutionaries, and former comrades—each driven by their own ambitions.
What makes Golden Kamuy truly unique is its rare blend of genres and themes:
- Intense survival and gun-and-blade action
- Meticulous historical realism
- Dark, often unexpected humor
- Detailed depictions of hunting and regional cuisine
- Respectful and authentic portrayal of Ainu culture and language
The manga achieved extraordinary success, winning 1st place at the 2016 Manga Taisho Awards and the 22nd Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, and has sold over 30 million copies across 31 volumes. Even after the manga’s conclusion, its popularity remains strong both in Japan and internationally.
Golden Kamuy: Final Chapter — A Dignified Ending
The Final Chapter continues directly from the fourth season and represents the last arc of the TV anime adaptation. Animation is handled by Brain’s Base, under the leadership of Chief Director Shizuka Sugahara, maintaining visual continuity while delivering a finale worthy of the series’ reputation.
This concluding arc promises:
- High-stakes, life-or-death confrontations
- Emotional reckonings between long-standing rivals
- Resolution of mysteries surrounding the tattooed skins and gold
- A definitive and meaningful end to the gold hunt
Rather than rushing toward the finish line, the Final Chapter carefully balances action, character development, and historical atmosphere.
Episode 3 (Episode 52) Story Synopsis
“Atsushirō-san’s Number One”
After narrowly allowing Ostrog to escape, Toshizō Hijikata and his allies immediately resume their pursuit. Relying on the exceptional reconnaissance abilities of Totan and Ariko, the group attempts to corner their elusive target.
Driven into desperation, Ostrog sets fire to the straw sacks inside a packing workshop, creating confusion and destruction before making yet another daring escape.
At the same time, events unfold elsewhere that deal a serious blow to Hijikata’s strategy:
- Kadokura, who had been entrusted with a piece of tattooed human skin, is finally captured after relentless pursuit by Usami
- The precious skin is stolen, threatening to unravel Hijikata’s progress in the gold hunt
When Hyakunosuke Ogata appears on the scene, tensions erupt into a fierce and violent confrontation between Ogata and Usami, highlighting the cruelty, unpredictability, and personal vendettas that dominate the Final Chapter.
Meanwhile, fate takes an even darker turn.
Separated from Sugimoto, Asirpa wanders alone into the power room. Just as the situation seems momentarily calm, Ostrog suddenly appears before her, setting the stage for a chilling encounter that could drastically alter the course of the story.
Why Episode 52 Is a Key Turning Point
Episode 52 is especially significant because it brings multiple narrative threads together at once:
- Several major character arcs intersect simultaneously
- The pursuit of Ostrog reaches a decisive and dangerous phase
- Trust, betrayal, and ambition reshape existing alliances
- Asirpa faces mortal danger without Sugimoto by her side
This episode powerfully illustrates how fragile control has become as the final stages of the gold hunt unfold.
Broadcast & Streaming Information
TV Broadcast (Final Chapter)
- TOKYO MX: Mondays from 23:00 (starting January 5)
- Yomiuri TV: Mondays from 26:29
- Hokkaido Broadcasting System: Mondays from 25:29
- BS11: Mondays from 23:00
- Channel NECO: Fridays from 23:30 (starting January 9)
- Tochigi TV: Fridays from 23:00 (starting January 16)
- NBC Nagasaki Broadcasting: Saturdays from 24:58 (starting January 17)
Streaming
- Prime Video:
Unlimited viewing every Monday from 23:00 (starting January 5)
Broadcast and streaming schedules are subject to change without notice.
Staff Highlights
- Original Work: Satoru Noda (Shueisha Young Jump Comics)
- Chief Director: Shizuka Sugahara
- Series Composition: Noboru Takagi
- Character Design: Takumi Yamakawa
- Music: Kenichiro Suehiro
- Opening Theme: “Beyond the Gold” by Awich × ALI
- Animation Production: Brain’s Base
The production continues to place special emphasis on authenticity through:
- Ainu language supervision: Hiroshi Nakagawa
- Russian language supervision: Eugenio Uzhinin
Main Voice Cast
- Saichi Sugimoto – Chikahiro Kobayashi
- Asirpa – Haruka Shiraishi
- Toshizō Hijikata – Jouji Nakata
- Hyakunosuke Ogata – Kenjiro Tsuda
- Lieutenant Tsurumi – Yoshitada Otsuka
- Usami – Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
- Tsukishima – Eiji Takemoto
- Koito – Katsuyuki Konishi
What to Expect as the Finale Approaches
As Golden Kamuy enters its final stretch, each episode raises both emotional and narrative stakes. Episode 52 strongly suggests that:
- No character is truly safe anymore
- Long-hidden truths are about to surface
- The ultimate fate of the gold—and those who seek it—is near
For longtime fans, this episode delivers the suspense, brutality, and depth that define the series. For newer viewers, it demonstrates why Golden Kamuy is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive and ambitious historical action anime of its era.
Final Thoughts
Episode 3 of Golden Kamuy: Final Chapter drives the story decisively toward its climax, skillfully blending pursuit, betrayal, and fate with the series’ trademark intensity. The confrontation involving Ostrog and Asirpa alone makes Episode 52 essential viewing.
As the hunt for the stolen Ainu gold draws closer to its conclusion, every choice now carries irreversible consequences. The journey that began in the frozen wilderness of Hokkaido is finally approaching its end—one step closer to a powerful and unforgettable finale.
