by After nearly four decades, Samurai Troopers is approaching the end of its long-awaited TV anime revival.
The new series, officially titled Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers (鎧真伝サムライトルーパー), will conclude with Episode 24, titled “Gai,” on September 22, 2026. Ahead of the finale, the anime’s staff has begun releasing special “THANKS illustrations” as a message of gratitude to viewers who have supported the series throughout its two-cour broadcast.
The first batch of illustrations comes from Chief Animation Director Junko Yamanaka and Screen Design Designer Akira Saito. The artwork features the Ten Braves, the Samurai Troopers wearing happi coats, and Byakuen, giving the campaign a celebratory feeling as the story approaches its conclusion. According to Sunrise, additional staff THANKS illustrations will be released sequentially leading up to the final episode.
The finale is especially significant because Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers marks the franchise’s first new TV anime in approximately 37 years. The original television series aired from April 1988 to March 1989, while the last new anime production before the 2026 series was the five-episode OVA Yoroiden Samurai Troopers MESSAGE, released in 1991.
Episode 24 “Gai” Will Be the Final Episode
The official website has confirmed that Episode 24, “Gai,” will serve as the final episode of the 2026 anime.
The episode is scheduled to air on September 22, 2026, with the broadcast beginning at 11:30 p.m. JST on TOKYO MX. It will also air on Kansai TV and BS11 at their respective scheduled times.
The official synopsis teases a major confrontation.
After using all of his techniques, the Haokotei shines with a golden radiance, appearing to be the true Haokotei envisioned by Yatogojin. Meanwhile, Gai and the other Samurai Troopers receive encouragement from people in the human world, as well as the support and feelings of Ryo and the other original warriors.
The Ten Braves also join the battle.
With the fate of the peaceful world at stake, the Samurai Troopers prepare to face what is described as their greatest enemy yet.
For longtime fans, the setup brings together several generations of the franchise’s characters and creates a direct connection between the new Samurai Troopers and the heroes of the original series.
What Are the “THANKS Illustrations”?
The special illustrations are part of the official celebration leading into the finale.
Rather than being ordinary promotional artwork, the THANKS illustrations are designed as messages of appreciation from members of the production staff to the audience.
The first illustrations were created by:
- Junko Yamanaka — Chief Animation Director
- Akira Saito — Screen Design Designer
The released artwork features the Ten Braves, the new Samurai Troopers in happi coats, and Byakuen, bringing together imagery associated with the series and its characters.
Sunrise has confirmed that more illustrations will be unveiled one after another before Episode 24 airs.
This makes the final week of the anime more than simply a countdown to the last episode. It is also a celebration of the production team’s work and the audience that followed the series throughout its 24-episode run.
A TV Anime Sequel 37 Years in the Making
For viewers unfamiliar with the franchise, Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers is not a remake.
It is an official sequel to the original Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, which was produced by Sunrise and originally broadcast from April 1988 through March 1989.
The original TV series ran for 39 episodes and introduced five young warriors who were brought together by fate. Each Samurai Trooper possessed special armor known as Yoroi Gear, allowing them to fight the supernatural forces threatening the human world.
The franchise later expanded through several OVA projects, including:
- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers Gaiden in 1989
- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers: The Legend of Emperor Kikoutei from 1989 to 1990
- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers MESSAGE in 1991
A manga adaptation by Ryuichi Hoshino was also serialized in Kodansha’s Comic BonBon.
Because of this long history, the 2026 anime represents a major continuation of a franchise that originally became popular during the late 1980s.
What Is Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers About?
The new series begins with an original story set in modern-day Shinjuku.
In the world of the original franchise, the Samurai Troopers fought the forces of the evil realm. In the new series, the seal that once contained the supernatural Yōja forces is broken, leading to another invasion of the human world.
Five young warriors once again take up the role of Samurai Troopers and fight to protect humanity.
The new protagonist is Gai, a 14-year-old boy who becomes one of the new generation of Samurai Troopers. He uses the armor associated with the new generation and becomes the central figure of the story.
This means newcomers do not necessarily need to know every detail of the original 1988 series to understand the basic premise. At the same time, longtime fans are rewarded with appearances and connections involving characters from the earlier series.
The Original Heroes Return
One of the biggest attractions of the 2026 anime has been its connection to the original cast.
The first-generation protagonist Ryo Sanada, also known as Ryo of Rekka, appears in the new series, with Takeshi Kusao returning to voice the character.
Ryo is now connected to the training of the younger generation of Samurai Troopers and remains capable of fighting when necessary. His appearance provides a direct bridge between the 1988 series and the new story.
Other original characters have also been brought back into the story, giving longtime fans the opportunity to see how the earlier heroes have changed over the years.
This approach allows the new anime to function both as a new entry point for younger viewers and as a continuation for fans who have been waiting decades to see the characters again.
The First Cour Began in January 2026
Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers premiered on January 6, 2026, beginning its story with a new generation of heroes.
The anime was planned as a split two-cour series, with the first 12 episodes airing from January through March and the second 12-episode cour beginning in July.
The second cour officially began on July 7, 2026, continuing the story after the events of the first half. It was broadcast on TOKYO MX, Kansai TV and BS11, with streaming available through several services including U-NEXT, Anime Hodai and d Anime Store.
With Episode 24 scheduled for September 22, the complete series will consist of 24 episodes across two courses.
The Second Cour Introduced a New Threat
The second half of the series significantly expands the world beyond the initial Yōja conflict.
After the Samurai Troopers defeat the evil emperor Rashinga, the story moves forward three months. Tokyo begins recovering, and people appear to be enjoying a return to normal life.
However, a new threat emerges from a realm known as the Tendō Realm.
Yashima no Sagume and her Four Beast Warriors begin taking action with the goal of creating a new world. The new conflict brings together the human world, the Yōja Realm, and the Tendō Realm.
This gives the second cour a different direction from the first half and increases the importance of both the new and original Samurai Troopers.
New Opening and Ending Themes for the Second Cour
The second cour also introduced completely new theme songs.
The opening theme is “BAD 遺伝子” by Dannie May, while the ending theme is “ばけもん” by Karanoah.
The official anime website lists “BAD 遺伝子” as the second-cour opening theme, with lyrics and composition by Masa and arrangement by Tarira Tanaka.
The ending theme, “ばけもん,” was written and composed by Yudai of Karanoah and arranged by Karanoah and Ryoji Nagata. The song incorporates Japanese-inspired sounds such as flute, taiko,o and sword samples while combining them with modern rock and electronic elements.
Both songs were released digitally in July 2026 alongside the beginning of the second cour.
The New Series Brings a Modern Style to a Classic Franchise
The original Samurai Troopers was strongly associated with the visual style of late-1980s anime.
The 2026 sequel retains the central idea of armored young warriors while updating the characters, setting, ng and animation for a modern audience.
Yuhei Murota, known for his work on the Love Live! franchise and other modern anime projects, serves as the main character designer. Meanwhile, Hideo Okamoto, who worked on the armor designs for the original Samurai Troopers, returned to work on the new Yoroi Gear designs.
That combination of new and returning talent gives the series a clear connection to its roots while allowing the new production to establish its own visual identity.
Yoichi Fujita Directs the New Anime
The series is directed by Yoichi Fujita, whose previous credits include Gintama and Mr. Osomatsu.
Shogo Muto handles the series composition and scripts. He is known for works including Kamen Rider Build, Crows Zero, and Thermae Romae. Animation production is handled by SUNRISE, the studio behind the original franchise.
The combination of an experienced modern anime staff with personnel connected to the original franchise was one of the notable aspects of the project’s announcement.
The Cast Includes Both New and Returning Voice Actors
The new generation is led by Hiiro Ishibashi, who voices protagonist Gai.
The main group also includes:
- Junya Enoki as Kaito Uesugi
- Ayumu Murase as Musashi Hojo
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Yamato Hojo
- Kentarō Kumagai as Shion Ishida
- Toshiki Masuda as Ryusei Oda
The series also features returning cast members, most notably Takeshi Kusao as Ryo Sanada.
The presence of Ryo and other original characters has been one of the most important ways the new anime connects its modern story to the franchise’s history.
Episode 24 Could Bring the Two Generations Together
The synopsis for the finale specifically mentions the support of Ryo and the other original warriors, as well as the Ten Braves.
That makes Episode 24 particularly important for fans who have followed both the original series and the 2026 sequel.
The new Samurai Troopers have spent the series learning how to use their powers, working together, and developing their own identities. The final battle now puts that growth to the test as they face the strongest enemy of the series.
The official synopsis also emphasizes that the young warriors have repeatedly fought, suffered injuries, recovered, and grown stronger throughout their journey.
The finale therefore appears set to focus not only on the action but also on the characters’ growth and the meaning of becoming a Samurai Trooper.
A New Voice Drama Is Also Being Released
The franchise is continuing to provide additional content outside the main television series.
On September 17, the official channels released the eighth episode of the original voice drama “Samurai High School,” titled “It’s P.E. Time! Pool Mayhem.”
The comedic side story follows the characters during a joint swimming class. Gai and Sasuke apparently cause enough trouble to set up a team swimming competition before teacher Ryo Sanada arrives.
The voice drama provides a lighter, more comedic experience compared with the serious final battle unfolding in the main anime.
For fans preparing for the finale, it also offers another way to spend time with the characters before the series concludes.
Blu-ray Releases Are Expanding the Franchise
The home-video release is also moving forward.
The first Blu-ray BOX covers Episodes 1 through 6, while the second BOX covers Episodes 7 through 12. Both include promotional video material and special packaging featuring newly drawn artwork.
More recently, Sunrise announced the Blu-ray BOX for the second cour, giving fans another way to collect the final 12 episodes once the television broadcast is complete.
The home-video releases are particularly significant for a franchise with such a long history, as they allow both longtime fans and new viewers to preserve the complete 2026 sequel series.
Why the 2026 Anime Matters to Samurai Troopers Fans
The return of Samurai Troopers is unusual even by anime sequel standards.
Many classic anime receive remakes or anniversary projects, but Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers is positioned as a direct continuation with an original story, rather than simply retelling the 1988 series.
It also brings back key characters and personnel associated with the original franchise while introducing a new generation of heroes.
For viewers who grew up watching the original Samurai Troopers, the new anime offers a chance to revisit a familiar world from a new perspective.
For younger viewers, meanwhile, the series serves as an introduction to a franchise that began almost four decades ago.
From 1988 to 2026: A Brief Franchise Timeline
For beginners, the history of Samurai Troopers can be summarized as follows:
1988–1989: The original 39-episode TV anime Yoroiden Samurai Troopers airs in Japan.
1989: Yoroiden Samurai Troopers Gaiden expands the franchise through an OVA project.
1989–1990: Yoroiden Samurai Troopers: The Legend of Emperor Kikoutei is released.
1991: Yoroiden Samurai Troopers MESSAGE becomes the franchise’s last new anime production before the 2026 sequel.
2025: Sunrise officially announces a new sequel series and reveals the first details about its modern setting and new protagonist.
January 2026: Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers begins its first cour.
July 2026: The second cour begins, introducing the Tendō Realm conflict and new opening and ending themes.
September 22, 2026: Episode 24, “Gai,” is scheduled to air as the series finale.
After 24 episodes and a journey that began in January, Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers is now approaching its conclusion.
The upcoming Episode 24, “Gai,” will bring the current story to its final chapter on September 22. The episode will feature the new Samurai Troopers, the Ten Braves,e s and the original heroes as they face the series’ greatest threat and fight to restore peace.
At the same time, the production team is celebrating the journey with its special THANKS illustration campaign.
The first illustrations by Junko Yamanaka and Akira Saito have already been released, and more are expected before the finale.
For a franchise that began with the original TV anime in 1988 and last received a new anime production in 1991, the 2026 return has been a major event in the history of Samurai Troopers.
Now, with the final episode only days away, fans will finally see how Gai and the new generation of Samurai Troopers’ battle comes to an end.
