2026-10-18 22:00 (EST) Japan Anime News Edit by Editorial Dept.

Happy Kanako's Killer Life TV Anime Announced for April 2027

Last modified : 2026-10-18 21:58 (EST)

The four-panel manga Happy Kanako's Killer Life is getting a TV anime adaptation, set to air in April 2027. Shinji Takamatsu will direct the series, with animation production by Drive and character designs by Yoshiyuki Okubo. Hana Tamegai will take her first leading role as protagonist Kanako Nishino.

Hana Tamegai Leads the Cast as Kanako Nishino

Happy Kanako's Killer Life TV anime adaptation announced

The story follows Kanako, who quits a harsh workplace in search of a better job, only to find herself joining a company of assassins. Her new workplace offers a starting salary of ¥600,000, weekends and holidays off, and full employee benefits as she begins an unexpected new working life.

The manga has surpassed 1.2 million copies in circulation and has also been adapted into a live-action drama series starring Non and Taisuke Fujigaya.

Hana Tamegai voices Kanako, while Ryota Suzuki plays her senior colleague Sakurai and Junichi Suwabe voices the company's president.

Shinji Takamatsu, known for comedy titles including Gintama and Grand Blue Dreaming, is directing the anime. Drive is handling animation production, with Yoshiyuki Okubo serving as character designer.

First Teaser Shows Kanako Choosing a Career as an Assassin

Happy Kanako's Killer Life TV anime adaptation announced

The newly released teaser trailer opens in the style of a job recruitment commercial featuring a real Asian small-clawed otter before showing Kanako leaving her former company and deciding to become an assassin.

The teaser visual depicts Kanako arriving for an assassin job interview and looking bewildered as handguns point toward her from all directions.

Original creator Toshiya Wakabayashi expressed his excitement about the adaptation, while Takamatsu said the anime will aim to preserve the appeal of the original manga as Kanako searches for a place where she can be herself and smile.

Tamegai said she was delighted to receive her first starring role in a work she already knew before joining the production. Suzuki and Suwabe also commented on the series' comedy and their respective characters.