High School! Kimengumi Returns with a Modern Anime Remake Premiering January 2026 — Tomokazu Seki to Voice Rei Ichido

Kimengumi Cast Comments

▼ Rei Ichido (JP: 一堂零, CV: Tomokazu Seki)
Leader of the Kimengumi, nicknamed “Mayunashi no Rei (まゆなしの零, No-Eyebrows Rei.”
His family runs a toy shop, and he’s known for his eccentric flexibility.
Though often scolded, he has a face and personality that never make enemies.

Q. A message to the viewers:
When Kimengumi was at its peak of popularity, I was a student myself, watching and wishing I could hang out with Rei, Yui, and Chie.
I never imagined the day would come when I’d play Rei Ichido himself!
With this brand-new Kimengumi, I plan to have fun—and be wonderfully weird together (laughs).

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
Dance and music! Especially instruments! Sure, I could start now, but if I’d begun back then and stuck with it, I’d be great by now!
Turns out my mom was right all along. I finally get what she meant!

▼ Go Reietsu (JP: 冷越豪, CV: Shunsuke Takeuchi)
A member of Kimengumi, nicknamed “Manako no Go (まなこの豪, Eyeballs Go.”
His family owns a liquor shop, and his trademark is his body hair.
A devoted fan of pro wrestling, he often puts his skills into practice.

Q. A message to the viewers:
I’m Takeuchi, playing Go—the guy with the afro and school uniform!
I feel a strange sense of destiny being cast in this role, and I’m truly happy about it.
Once, a senior voice actor told me at an izakaya, “Take, speak in a higher voice!” (in a deep, booming tone).
So I asked myself in the booth, “Is this what he meant?” and gave it my all.
I’ll do everything I can to make Go not a destructive, but an indestructible character!
Shine on, maroon school uniform! Thank you for your support!

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
I’d start micro-investing from 100 yen.
When people first started saying “buy Bitcoin now,” I’d buy in and continue steadily through regular savings.
I’d love to build my ideal portfolio early on!

▼ Kiyoshi Shusse (JP: 出世潔, CV: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)
A member of Kimengumi, nicknamed “Mukiba no Kiyoshi (むき歯の潔, Exposed Teeth Kiyoshi).”
His family runs a public bathhouse. Despite being among eccentrics, he’s relatively normal.
He’s serious at heart, but also a die-hard ladies’ man.

Q. A message to the viewers:
I’m Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, voicing Kiyoshi Shusse.
With so many cast members, the recording sessions are pure chaos—but in a fun way!
It’s the kind of set where anything goes (laughs).
That energy has definitely made it into the anime, so I hope you can feel it when you watch!

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
I wouldn’t change a thing.
The person I was back then made me who I am now, so I’d want to live those same days all over again.

▼ Jin Daima (JP: 大間仁, CV: Chiaki Kobayashi)
A member of Kimengumi, nicknamed “Ebisu no Jin (えびすの仁, (Japanese God) Jin similar to Ebisu).”
His family owns a cake shop. He’s gentle and easygoing, but a big eater.
Known for being lazy, he’s often caught napping in class.

Q. A message to the viewers:
I’m Chiaki Kobayashi, and I’ll be voicing Jin Daima.
In today’s Reiwa era, we’re surrounded by so many works and forms of entertainment,
but this series—filled with humor and warmth—touched me deeply many times during recording.
I believe it will deliver laughter and comfort straight to your heart. Please look forward to it!

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
In high school, I focused on part-time jobs and hobbies and never joined a club.
If I could go back, I’d join a track or tennis club—something I used to consider.
I want to experience that burning passion of competing, improving, and fighting in the prefectural tournament!

▼ Dai Monohoshi (JP: 物星大, CV: Kikunoshin Toya)
A member of Kimengumi, nicknamed “Ochobokuchi no Dai (おちょぼ口の大, Small Mouth Dai).”
His family runs a bookstore, and he has a girlish, sentimental nature with a mysterious sensuality.

Q. A message to the viewers:
I’m Kikunoshin Toya, voicing Dai Monohoshi!
He loves all things girly and carries a uniquely soft aura even among the eccentric Kimengumi.
Apparently, he takes three baths a day.
I thought, “Same here!” Baths really are the best, aren’t they?

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
I can’t handle bitter foods now, so I’d eat lots of bitter things to build up tolerance early on—
that way, I’d enjoy them as an adult.
Also… I’d fall in love.

▼ Yui Kawa (JP: 河川唯, CV: Haruka Shiraishi)
As her name suggests, she’s the adorable heroine.
Cheerful and carefree, though often airheaded.
She enjoys the Kimengumi’s antics as much as they do—she’s as eccentric as they come.

Q. A message to the viewers:
I’m Haruka Shiraishi, voicing Yui Kawa!
Yui may look like the classic “cute heroine,” but she’s surprisingly quirky—and that’s what makes her charming.
Recording this series has been full of laughter, but I’ve also found myself moved by the Kimengumi’s words.
It’s a work full of messages that resonate with our times, wrapped in joyful comedy.
Please come meet the Kimengumi in the anime!

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
Back then, I was focused on lessons and work, so I’d love to join a sports club and experience that “sports youth” feeling!
The bonds and perseverance that come from team activities seem so precious.
Also, I’ve always dreamed of hanging out after school.
Whenever I record background chatter for school scenes, I often ad-lib, “Hey, wanna get crepes on the way home?”
That’s totally my unrealized high school fantasy talking (laughs).
If I could go back, I’d save the “ghost of crepes past”!

▼ Chie Uru (JP: 宇留千絵, CV: Ikumi Hasegawa)
Yui’s best friend and a bold, tomboyish girl.
Her family runs a flower shop, and though she admires femininity,
she often ends up as the straight man among her eccentric peers.

Q. A message to the viewers:
I’m Ikumi Hasegawa, voicing Chie Uru!
I’m honored to be entrusted with this role.
Every episode of High School! Kimengumi goes beyond my expectations—
I find myself confused, amazed, and laughing along with Chie.
In the recording booth, it gets so lively that we practically run out of air!
Please look forward to the broadcast!

Q. If you could go back to your student days, what would you do?
High school was probably the laziest period of my life.
If I could go back, I’d throw myself into a club or hobby—or just have fun with friends!
I’d love to have something I could say, “I was really into that!”

Staff Comments

Motoei Shinzawa (Original Author)
With the era, setting, and voice actors all new, I’m curious how this version of Kimengumi will be received by young viewers who don’t know the original manga or anime.
Of course, I’m also excited to see how longtime fans will react.
I myself am looking forward to it very much.

Kazuaki Seki (Director)
Yes, the anime Kimengumi is coming back.
I first encountered this work during my own school days.
As an adult, I’m honored to face it again with the same youthful spirit.
The energy of Kimengumi gives us strength—it’s a series that helps you forget your daily worries, even for a little while.
I hope you’ll enjoy the antics of these five and all the characters around them.
May you find both nostalgia and new discoveries—Kime-Flash!

Takashi Nishikawa (Animation Director)
I hope this series can become a source of energy!
The world today is full of confusion and hardship.
While I can’t say “With energy, you can do anything,” I do believe “Without energy, nothing begins.”
As one of the most energetic gag manga of the 1980s, Kimengumi is being revived as the “health food” of today’s anime scene.
That’s the mindset we’re bringing into production!

Shigeru Murakoshi (Series Composition)
Kimengumi is one of the defining gag manga of the Showa era, and it continues to be passed down in many forms.
Watching these characters in the Reiwa era, I feel an incredible sense of optimism—
a message that says, “Whatever troubles you face, let’s just laugh them off together!”
I hope viewers will feel not only the wild humor and expressive energy,
but also the enduring spirit of individuality and glorious weirdness that makes Kimengumi timeless.

Yuka Abe (Character Designer)
I’ve been a huge fan of Kimengumi for as long as I can remember—
I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.
To now bring it to life as character designer is a true honor,
and I’m “shipata-shipata!” with joy every day.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, and to Motoei Shinzawa-sensei.
Once seen, these faces are unforgettable—
even 45 years since its debut, the series’ visual impact hasn’t faded one bit.
These are faces worthy of being declared intangible cultural heritage!

Night Tempo (Music Producer)
It’s an absolute honor to contribute even for one second to a work I deeply respect.
Under the concept of “retro,” I reconstructed the original song into a remake.
The characters’ charm fits perfectly with the track—it turned out to be a very fun piece!
Please give it lots of love!

Source : Kimengumi Official Web Site