The critically acclaimed manga "Fool Night" is finally getting an anime adaptation! The series is set to premiere as a Netflix exclusive worldwide in 2026.
This project marks a historic first-ever collaboration between two industry titans: Sunrise and SHAFT. Directed by Atsushi Yukawa with series composition by Jin Tanaka, the lead roles will be voiced by the legendary Koki Uchiyama and Minako Kotobuki. Alongside the announcement, a teaser visual, trailer, and comments from the cast and staff have been released.
<The following content is quoted from the official announcement>
Announced During An International Animation Festival! The Internationally Acclaimed Comic "Fool Night" Set for Anime Debut via Sunrise x SHAFT Partnership
During the "NETFLIX ANIME STUDIO FOCUS" panel at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival—often called the world's largest animation festival—it was revealed that the captivating manga "Fool Night" (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior) will be adapted into a Netflix series for a global 2026 release.
"Fool Night" has been a sensation both in Japan and abroad, ranking in the prestigious "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2023" and winning the Best Suspense Award at the 2023 Japan Expo Awards (DARUMA) in France. Its unique premise and haunting atmosphere have garnered massive international attention.
The production brings together two powerhouse studios for the first time: Sunrise, the legendary studio behind "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" and "Cowboy Bebop," and SHAFT, known for their avant-garde visual style in "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" and the "Monogatari" series.
The creative team is equally impressive, featuring Director Atsushi Yukawa (Unit Director for "Suzume"), Series Composition by Jin Tanaka ("[Oshi no Ko]"), Sound Director Yota Tsuruoka ("A Silent Voice"), and Music by Tatsuya Kato ("Dr. STONE"). Leading the cast, Koki Uchiyama takes on the role of protagonist Toshiro Kamiya, with Minako Kotobuki as his childhood friend, Yomiko Horai. Together, this dream team will bring the unparalleled, dystopian world of "Fool Night" to life.
In addition to the teaser visual and trailer, a commemorative illustration and comments from original creator Kasumi Yasuda, as well as messages from the cast and staff, have been released.
Teaser Visual
The visual features protagonist Toshiro Kamiya looking forward with a gaze full of resolve, standing next to a human in the middle of "Transflora." Through the window of the train carrying them, a vibrant field of flowers contrasts against a dark, ominous sky. The image is packed with symbolic motifs that represent the singular, haunting world of "Fool Night." What is the meaning behind Toshiro's determined expression?
Synopsis
In a far-off future, Earth is shrouded in thick clouds, trapped in a perpetual state of winter and night. Most plant life has withered away, and humanity, facing an oxygen crisis, has developed a technology called "Transflora"—implanting a seed into a person nearing death to transform their body into a plant.
Society now depends on the meager oxygen produced by these "Spirit Flowers".
Toshiro Kamiya, a young man living in soul-crushing poverty, works tirelessly to pay for taxes, living expenses, and his mentally ill mother’s medication. However, the merciless reality of his life slowly strips him of hope.
"There’s nothing... nothing fun about being alive."
Teaser Trailer
The high-quality animation showcases the combined technical prowess of Sunrise and SHAFT, set to a heavy, evocative score by Tatsuya Kato ("Dr. STONE"). The trailer captures the delicate yet intense emotions of characters struggling to survive in a harsh environment. It features Toshiro’s desperate internal monologue, Yomiko Horai staring directly at a Spirit Flower on an operating table, and the haunting sight of those further along in the Transflora process—unable to speak or move of their own will.
Watch here:
Main Cast & Characters
Playing the protagonist Toshiro Kamiya is Koki Uchiyama, known for his roles as Toge Inumaki in "Jujutsu Kaisen" and Tomura Shigaraki in "My Hero Academia." His childhood friend, Yomiko Horai, is played by Minako Kotobuki (Tsumugi Kotobuki in "K-On!", Asuka Tanaka in "Sound! Euphonium").
Toshiro Kamiya (CV: Koki Uchiyama)
A young man living in a wretched environment. Having lost the will to live, he undergoes the Transflora procedure. However, the process awakens a unique ability: he can hear the voices of "Spirit Flowers." He is subsequently hired as a special temporary employee at the National Transflora Institute.
Koki Uchiyama's Comment:
"Fool Night" depicts humans living on a future Earth that has become a truly harsh environment. My character, Toshiro Kamiya, finds hope in a certain choice amidst his desperate struggle to survive. To capture his complex emotional shifts, I experimented with many different vocal approaches in every episode. I truly hope as many people as possible watch the "Fool Night" anime.
Yomiko Horai (CV: Minako Kotobuki)
An employee at the National Transflora Institute. She handles a wide range of tasks related to the Transflora process rather than being tied to one department. She finds her greatest happiness in eating delicious food. She is Toshiro’s childhood friend.
Minako Kotobuki's Comment:
I’m Minako Kotobuki, and I’ll be voicing Yomiko Horai. I was captivated by the intense world created by Yasuda-sensei and Director Yukawa’s creative sensibilities right from the audition. I felt that if I could fully portray Yomiko in this project, I’d have no regrets in my career. It’s an honor to play her now.
Yomiko loves to eat and seems like a normal person at first glance, but as someone working at the Institute, perhaps the shape of her heart is a bit warped. The happiness we feel and the happiness Yomiko feels are likely different, so I was careful to capture those nuances without letting anything slip through the cracks. This is a story that could very well happen in our not-so-distant future. I am genuinely happy that this story will reach the world via Netflix.
Main Staff Information & Director's Comment
Staff
Director: Atsushi Yukawa
Series Composition: Jin Tanaka
Character Design: Robert Sato
Assistant Director: Ryo Shimura
Visual Development: Ryo Kikuchi
Art Director: Maki Takano (J.C.STAFF)
Color Design: Jin Hibino
Compositing Directors: Mannari Ishikawa (Animo Caramel), Chiaki Tokuda (Terra Effect), Takayuki Aizu (SHAFT)
CG Directors: Naoki Yamamoto, Junya Hirano
Editing: Rie Matsubara (Seyama Editing Room)
Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka
Music: Tatsuya Kato
Animation Production: Sunrise x SHAFT
Director Atsushi Yukawa's Comment:
The "Fool Night" anime began when a former shut-in submitted a proposal. Later, an amazing series of coincidences linked Sunrise and SHAFT together, and I was brought on board thanks to a recommendation from a certain director and Suzuki-san from SHAFT.
Those who have read the original manga know that this work is incredibly multifaceted. Unlike manga, the pace of a video is passive; you can't stop and linger. I initially struggled with how to present it, but in the end, I decided to trust you—the viewer. I stopped overthinking and focused entirely on painstakingly depicting the passage of "time." Tarkovsky said that cinema is the art of sculpting in time, and working on this project made me realize that’s something you can only say if you truly believe in your audience.
We are on the side of those who want to think. Please rest assured that everyone involved in the "Fool Night" project—the creators, the supporters, and the distributors—is doing top-tier work! If there's anything you don't like, it's all my fault.
Please look forward to it!
[Notable Works: "Suzume" (Unit Director), "Aoashi" (OP2 Storyboard/Direction)]
Commemorative Illustration & Comment from Original Creator Kasumi Yasuda
Comment:
"A sterile office lined with houseplants." The architecture of "Fool Night" began because I wanted to see that specific scenery. Without much of a plan, I kept building rooms I liked; the structure became warped, but it didn't collapse, and somehow it made it to an anime adaptation.
This is all thanks to the readers around the world who have supported "Fool Night." I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now that we've reached this new height, I would be overjoyed if even more people discover the work through the anime. Please enjoy my "speculative fiction."
About Kasumi Yasuda
Winner of the 76th Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award (Seinen category). Debuted with "Denpa Seinen" on a manga app. Currently serializing "Fool Night" in Big Comic Superior.
Original Manga Information
Author: Kasumi Yasuda
Serialized in: Big Comic Superior (Shogakukan)
Volume Count: 12 volumes currently available
Circulation: Approx. 600,000 copies (including digital). Published in 17 countries/regions. Highly acclaimed internationally, including a nomination at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in France (the "Cannes of the manga world").
Official Website & X (Twitter) Launch
The official website and X (Twitter) account are now live! Stay tuned for the latest updates. Be sure to use the recommended hashtags to join the conversation!
★Official Website: https://www.foolnight.com/
★Official X (Twitter): @foolnight_anime
Recommended Hashtags: #フールナイト #foolnight
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
