Keigo Higashino’s novel The Camphorwood Custodian is officially getting an animated film adaptation, marking the first time one of Higashino’s works has been turned into an anime film.

A Master of Plot and Humanity

Higashino is known for his masterful plots and deep portrayals of human emotion, attracting readers across genres from mystery to drama. With over 100 million copies of his books in print, his works—frequently adapted into live-action—have been critically acclaimed. The Camphorwood Custodian, first published in 2020, recently surpassed one million copies sold. It follows a young man who becomes the “custodian” of a mystical camphor tree said to grant wishes.

Directed by Tomohiko Ito and Animated by A-1 Pictures

The film will be directed by Tomohiko Ito, known for Sword Art Online, ERASED (2016), and HELLO WORLD (2019). Animation will be handled by A-1 Pictures, the studio behind Solo Leveling (2024), Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023), Lycoris Recoil (2022), and Lonely Castle in the Mirror (2022).

Higashino and Ito Share Their Thoughts

Higashino commented, “I always imagine the scenes visually first and then translate them into words. The Camphorwood Custodian required more imagination than usual, due to its frequent supernatural elements, which made me think it might not suit live-action. But with animation, I knew it could be something special. I’m deeply grateful and looking forward to seeing a visual work that far exceeds my imagination.”

Director Ito shared, “Nothing lasts forever, and people disappear in an instant. As I passed 40, I began to understand the emotions of those who remain and those who leave behind something. Through this film, I want to express gratitude to all the things that shape who we are today—not just to our parents but also to mentors, friends, and even fleeting acquaintances. And I want to pass that gratitude to the next generation.”

Story Summary

Reito Naoi, a young man fired from his job unfairly, is arrested after a desperate act. Having lost his sense of direction, he receives an unexpected offer from a mysterious lawyer: follow their client’s instructions and be released. That client is Chifune Yanagisawa, a major contributor to the Yanagisawa Group and Reito’s late mother’s half-sister. She commands him to take on a strange role—become The Camphorwood Custodian of Tsukisato Shrine.

Reluctantly accepting the task, Reito begins meeting a range of visitors to the shrine: Toshiaki Saji, a man who regularly visits the tree; Yumi Saji, his daughter who questions her father’s behavior; and Souta Oba, a young man grappling with inheriting the family business. Through these encounters—and his bond with Chifune—Reito's world begins to regain color.

Yet, Reito remains unaware of the camphorwood’s true power, a secret that will draw him into a deeper mystery and reshape his life forever.

Source : ORICON NEWS