A Witch’s Life in Mongol Unveils First PV Featuring Akira Sekine and Houko Kuwashima, Jun Saito Makes TV Anime Debut

The first promotional video for the TV anime A Witch’s Life (JP: 天幕のジャードゥーガル) in Mongol, set to air in July on TV Asahi networks, has been unveiled, featuring character voices for the first time. Alongside the PV, the main cast was announced, including Akira Sekine, Houko Kuwashima, Jun Saito, Ryota Suzuki, and Miyu Irino.

Based on the manga by Tomato Soup, currently serialized in Souffle, the story is set in the 13th century Mongol Empire. It follows a young girl named Sitara, who struggles to survive a harsh fate by wielding knowledge as her greatest weapon in a historical court drama.

The series has gained significant recognition, ranking No.1 in the women’s category of This Manga Is Amazing! 2023 by Takarajimasha and achieving consecutive nominations in the Manga Taisho awards in 2023 and 2024.

Characters and Cast Details Revealed

The PV introduces the main characters and their voices for the first time. Sitara, a lonely girl separated from her homeland after losing her mother, is voiced by Akira Sekine. Fatima, Muhammad’s gentle and kind mother, is voiced by Houko Kuwashima. Tolui, the fourth son of Genghis Khan, is voiced by Ryota Suzuki. Shira, a boy living as a captive in the Mongol Empire, is voiced by Miyu Irino.

Actor Jun Saito, known for his work in films and television dramas, makes his TV anime debut in this series, voicing Muhammad, Fatima’s intelligent son who plays a key role in influencing Sitara.

The video depicts Sitara’s transformation as she is taken in by a scholar’s family and encounters knowledge for the first time. It also highlights the turning point in her fate triggered by the Mongol Empire’s invasion, setting the stage for the grand narrative to unfold.

PV

Cast Comments

Akira Sekine as Sitara
“I am Akira Sekine, and I will be voicing Sitara. I still remember the impact I felt when reading the original manga. When I learned I had been cast, I felt both joy and immense pressure. During recording, I was supported by many experienced colleagues and staff, and I was able to challenge myself fully while feeling the passion behind this project. I hope you will enjoy it.”

Houko Kuwashima as Fatima
“When I read the original manga, I was struck by the idea that this would be adapted into anime, and I strongly wanted to be part of it. During recording, I could feel the extraordinary passion of the staff. Fatima is a wise woman of high status for her time, and I hope to express her deep love within her scenes with Sitara. I hope viewers will be emotionally moved alongside Sitara.”

Jun Saito as Muhammad
“I voice Muhammad, who I believe represents the value of knowledge and greatly influences the protagonist. I was drawn to his gentle personality. Working alongside professional voice actors was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but it was a valuable learning experience. Please look forward to the broadcast.”

Ryota Suzuki as Tolui
“I will be voicing Tolui, a character with pure energy who brightens the atmosphere and demonstrates exceptional martial ability. Through this work set in the Mongol Empire, I was able to learn about cultures and languages I had not encountered before. The anime beautifully captures fine details while preserving the charm of the original work. Please look forward to it.”

Miyu Irino as Shira
“I am a fan of Tomato Soup’s beautifully harsh storytelling. While reading the manga, I couldn’t stop turning the pages, yet I also felt afraid of what would come next. The recording process was carefully conducted with great attention to detail. The anime successfully blends the essence of the original with unique animation expression, and I felt the deep love of the production team. I am honored to work with Director Abel for the first time and reunite with General Director Yamada.”

Source : ORICON NEWS