Matsurika Kanriden Anime Adds Three Cast Members, Names KANA-BOON as Opening Artist
Maho Film's adaptation will premiere in January 2027 on Tokyo MX, MBS, TV Aichi, and BS11 in Japan.
Kadokawa released the first main promo for Matsurika Kanriden and announced three additional cast members. KANA-BOON will perform the opening song, “Hana Hanashi.”
Kadokawa released the first main promotional video for The Tale of the Scholar-Official Matsurika (Matsurika Kanriden) television anime on Friday. It also announced three additional cast members and KANA-BOON's opening theme song, “Hana Hanashi” (Flower Talk).
The adaptation of Rinne Ishida and Izumi's light novel series premieres in January 2027. Japanese broadcasts will run on Tokyo MX, MBS, TV Aichi, and BS11.
The newly announced cast members are:
- Takeo Ōtsuka as Tenga Rei
- Kōtarō Nishiyama as Shisei Hō
- Shō Komura as Shunsetsu Shō
Rie Takahashi stars as Matsurika Kō, alongside Nobunaga Shimazaki as Emperor Hakuyō.
The anime's production staff includes:
- Supervising director: Takeshi Mori (Vandread, Gunsmith Cats, Otaku no Video)
- Director: Yūichi Nakazawa at Maho Film
- Series composition: Tōko Machida (Lucky Star, The IDOLM@STER, My Master Has No Tail)
- Character design: Manami Inose (Blue Miburo)
- Music: Takurō Iga
- Chief animation directors: Manami Inose and Kaho Deguchi
- Art director: Satoshi Shibata
- Color design: Kumiko Akahori
- Director of photography: Yukina Nomura
- Editing: Honami Yamagishi (REAL-T)
- Sound director: Yasunori Ebina
Drawing on Chinese history, the fantasy romance follows Matsurika, a court lady in the emperor's inner palace whose strong memory distinguishes her. She receives a request to help a noble family's son practice for a marriage meeting.
When Matsurika arrives, she discovers that the supposed noble son is Emperor Hakuyō himself. He falls for her at first sight, but tells her to return to him after passing the state's scholar-official civil service examination.
Ishida's first novel, illustrated by Izumi, came out in July 2017. Volume 18, the latest release, shipped in October 2025, while volume 19 is scheduled to ship on October 15.
Takase began the manga adaptation in Akita Shoten's Monthly Princess magazine in August 2018. Akita Shoten released its 12th volume in October 2025.
The manga concluded its first part in October 2025 and began its second part in May. The series has more than 2 million copies in circulation, including digital editions.
Sources: Press release via ANN
