The television anime A Witch's Life in Mongol is set to air in July 2026 on TV Asahi’s IMAnimation programming block. Alongside the broadcast announcement, a teaser promotional video and a teaser visual were unveiled, revealing a lineup of leading creators from across the industry who have come together for the project.

A Historical Court Drama Set in the Mongol Empire

A Witch's Life in Mongol is a historical court drama set in the Mongol Empire of the thirteenth century. The story follows Sitara also known as Fatima, a former slave girl taken prisoner by the Mongol Empire. Her fate changes when she encounters Töregene, the sixth consort of the Mongol emperor, who harbors complex feelings toward the empire herself. Through wit and intelligence, the two women work together to shake the foundations of the empire.

The original manga is currently serialized in Souffle published by Akita Shoten. It earned first place in the women’s category of Takarajimasha’s This Manga Is Amazing 2023 and was also ranked in the Manga Taisho awards for both 2023 and 2024, establishing it as one of the most talked about historical manga titles in recent years.

Teaser PV

The teaser promotional video depicts Sitara running through the city of Tus in thirteenth century Iran, showcasing bustling bazaars and stunning architecture rendered in Science SARU’s distinctive visual style. The animation features a unique sense of texture and warmth, blending dynamic motion with rich and vivid colors that vividly convey the atmosphere of the story’s world.

The teaser visual presents Sitara standing beneath an endlessly expansive sky as doves soar overhead and flower petals drift on the wind. Her direct gaze leaves a strong impression, expressing her unyielding will and hinting at the beginning of a grand and powerful narrative.

Acclaimed Creators Assemble for the Anime Adaptation

The anime brings together an exceptional creative team. Naoko Yamada, known for The Heike Story, A Silent Voice, and The Colors Within, serves as chief director. Abel Gongora, who has worked on Dandadan season two, Star Wars Visions T0 B1, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, directs the series.

Character design and chief animation direction are handled by Kenichi Yoshida, whose credits include Eureka Seven, Overman King Gainer, and The Orbital Children. Series composition is overseen by Kanichi Kato, known for The Eminence in Shadow, Black Clover, and Teasing Master Takagi san. Music is composed by Koshiro Hino, marking his first time creating background music for an anime series. Known for his distinctive musical approach and deep knowledge of traditional instruments, Hino contributes to the series’ unique soundscape.

With Science SARU, a studio celebrated for its innovative visual expression and numerous awards both in Japan and abroad, the team aims to bring the work’s distinctive world to life.

Staff Comments

Naoko Yamada Chief Director
The story depicted by Tomato Soup felt incredibly fresh and full of stimulating surprises to me. Sitara and the other characters lived within the great currents of history. They truly lived, thought, believed in love, and sometimes boldly and sometimes delicately fulfilled their lives. They are strong and lovely. I will depict this story with deep respect and care. Please look forward to it.

Abel Gongora Director
The cultures cultivated within the Mongol Empire and the Persian world are all remarkable. With deep respect for those who have carried these cultures into the present day, we interpreted their history in our own way, regardless of whether it is fact or legend. I am truly delighted to bring to animation the moment when the heroine, strong and sharp with a singular presence, opens her own shining path and steps into a grand adventure.

Kenichi Yoshida Character Design and Chief Animation Director
This is my first time working on an adaptation of an original work, so I am doing my best in many ways.

Kanichi Kato Series Composition
I worked on the series composition with the goal of expressing the excellence of the original manga through animation. Through the protagonist, who acquires knowledge and survives within an unfamiliar culture amid the Mongolian steppes, beautiful night skies, and nomadic life of the thirteenth century, I hope viewers will feel conflicts, encounters, and hope for the future that still resonate with us today.

Koshiro Hino Music
All the characters are fascinating, but expressing the complex emotions of Sitara, who lives powerfully and resiliently while carrying resentment and sorrow, was the greatest challenge and also the most rewarding. I believe portraying this subject matter in the modern era holds great meaning. I sincerely hope for a peaceful world where children who carry sadness like Sitara are never born, no matter the country or region. This project involved many firsts for me, including composing music for animation and creating Persian and Mongolian inspired music. Thanks to the patience and support of both directors and the entire production team, I was able to see it through, for which I am deeply grateful.

Source : ORICON NEWS