The Netflix drama Ikusagami (JP: イクサガミ) has become a major hit, and author Shogo Imamura revealed fresh behind the scenes reactions during a special talk show for the upcoming TV anime Hikuidori; UshuBoro Tobigumi (JP: 火喰鳥 羽州ぼろ鳶組), held on December 5 at Makuhari Messe as part of Tokyo Comic-Con 2025. The anime is set to premiere on January 11, 2026, airing every Sunday at 11:30 p.m(JST.)

Addressing the growing attention surrounding Ikusagami, Imamura said with a wry smile, “Over these past three weeks, people keep teasing me, calling me ‘Imamura of the world.’”

He then spoke about his strong feelings for Hikuidri, the work being adapted into an anime. “I have always said this is the piece I care about the most. I feel a bit sorry for Ikusagami, but this is the one I wrote with the mindset that I would be fine retiring as a novelist once it was done,” he admitted. He surprised the audience by revealing, “I think I wrote about four hundred forty pages in around twenty five days… I was young back then.”

Hikuidori is one of Imamura’s signature series. Inspired by the historical Great Fire of the Meiwa era, it is a grand spectacle depicting the fire brigades who risked their lives to confront the massive fires of Edo. The story follows the former top fireman samurai Matsunaga Gengo and the uniquely skilled group that gathered under him, portraying their efforts to save the people of Edo from relentless disasters. A manga adaptation by Shinobu Seguchi began in Weekly Shonen Champion in spring 2025, and a stage production is also scheduled for January to February 2026.

Tokyo Comic-Con, held annually since 2016, marks its ninth Tokyo event this year. Over the three day period through December 7, a record twenty three international celebrity guests are participating, engaging with fans through stage events, autograph sessions, and photo opportunities.

Source : ORICON NEWS