Reiwa’s Jigoku Sensei Nube: Old Anime Theme Song ‘Baribari Saikyou No.1’ Appears, Fans Rejoice! Early Battle with Tamamo Also?! [Episode 1 & 2 Spoilers]

Reiwa Era “Nuubee” Anime Premiere! Original OP Theme “Bari Bari Saikyou No.1” Makes a Comeback, Fans Ecstatic! Tamamo Also Appears Early for a Battle?! [Episodes 1 & 2 Spoilers]

The first two episodes of the Summer 2025 anime `Jigoku Sensei Nuubee`, titled “Tsukumono Ashi no Mushi” (The Hundred-Legged Worm) and “Youko Chouryobakkou” (Wandering Fox, Rampant), aired back-to-back in a one-hour special on July 2nd, 2025. The broadcast saw a flood of enthusiastic responses on social media.

※ The following text contains spoilers for those who have not yet watched the anime, due to the nature of the content discussed. Please proceed with caution.

『Jigoku Sensei Nuubee』Key Visual

`Jigoku Sensei Nuubee` is a new anime adaptation based on the occult hero action manga by Makura Shou (story) and Okano Takeshi (art), which was serialized in “Shuukan Shounen Jump” from 1993 to 1999. The series boasts a cumulative circulation of 29 million copies.

With stories centered around school ghost stories and urban legends that gave readers the chills, the courageous figure of Nueno Meisuke, also known as “Nuubee,” the spiritual teacher who risks his life to protect his students from the threat of yokai and evil spirits, has garnered popularity across generations. The series was previously adapted into a TV anime from 1996 to 1997, and also saw theatrical films and OVAs. In 2014, it was even adapted into a TV drama starring Maruyama Ryuhei.

The story begins when Nueno Meisuke, “Nuubee”-sensei, the only teacher in Japan possessing spiritual abilities, is assigned to Doumori Elementary School.

Right from the start, the anime features Nuubee-sensei, Inaba Kyouko, Hosokawa Miki, and even Tamamo Kyousuke, leading viewers familiar with the original manga or the old anime to express their nostalgia with comments like “So nostalgic!”, “Tamamo-sensei is here already!”, and “Kyouko and Miki haven’t changed!”.

While respecting the original manga and the old anime version, this new adaptation incorporates modern arrangements. Miki is shown holding a smartphone, which also drew comments like “A smartphone!!!???”, “Elementary students with smartphones… that’s a modern setting!”, and “You can feel the passage of time”.

Nuubee-sensei becomes the homeroom teacher for the class that Kyouko and Miki are in. One day, student Tateno Hiroshi begins acting strangely, unable to control his anger and seeming like a completely different person.

Because of this, during class, Hiroshi snaps at a comment Kyouko makes and punches her. On their way home from the hospital, Hiroshi walks with Nuubee-sensei. Nuubee-sensei, recalling how “Kan no Mushi” (a yokai related to children’s ill temper) is removed from an infant’s hand and speculating that a yokai like the “Tsukumono Ashi no Mushi,” a monstrous version of Kan no Mushi, might be possessing Hiroshi, takes his hand…

Just as he suspected, a giant “Tsukumono Ashi no Mushi” was lurking inside Hiroshi, and Nuubee-sensei’s power forces it out.

Hearing Hiroshi’s plea, “Help, Nuubee!”, Nuubee-sensei uses his “Oni no Te” (Demon’s Hand) and spectacularly exorcises the “Tsukumono Ashi no Mushi” that had possessed him.

Just when you thought the matter was resolved, the second episode, “Youko Chouryobakkou,” begins with the furious development of Hiroshi being kidnapped by the mysterious figure Tamamo Kyousuke. Tamamo proceeds with preparations for “a certain ritual,” but Nuubee-sensei and Kyouko, concerned for Hiroshi’s safety, pursue them. During their search, Nuubee-sensei tries to use a smartphone, only to reveal his complete lack of tech savvy, showing he hasn’t upgraded his skills from the “Heisei” era!

These moments of comedy are short-lived as a battle with Tamamo erupts. The intense fight between the two characters, feeling almost like a climax, surprised viewers on social media with comments like “Tamamo-sensei is here already?!”. Other reactions included “It’s definitely a modern adaptation, but seeing the Oni no Te in the Reiwa era is satisfying!”, “As an original fan, I’m quite happy with the changes so far!”, and “My expectations for what comes next are rising!”.

Furthermore, the old anime’s opening theme, “Bari Bari Saikyou No.1,” was used as Nuubee-sensei’s ringtone, eliciting numerous comments of joy such as “This homage is the best!”, “So happy they used it!”, and “That’s so hype…”. Perhaps related to the “Bari Bari” connection, director Oobari Masami of `Yuuki Bakuretsu Burn Bravern` also participated as a key animator in the opening sequence!

The 1-hour special broadcast saw Nuubee-sensei’s voice actor Okiayu Ryoutarou, as well as Suzaki Aya, Iwasaki Ryouta, Kochoumon Shiho, and other cast members, along with original manga artist Okano Takeshi, enjoying the show in real-time. “Nuubee Anime” trended at number 1 on X, and related words such as “Saikyou No.1” and “Tamamo-sensei” also climbed high in the rankings, showing the excitement surrounding the premiere.

The latest episodes of `Jigoku Sensei Nuubee` will be available for free streaming on ABEMA for one week starting every Saturday at 0:15 AM, three days after the terrestrial broadcast.

New Anime `Jigoku Sensei Nuubee` Production Information

【Broadcast Information】
◆Terrestrial TV
Premieres July 2nd, 2025 (Wednesday) with a one-hour special featuring two consecutive episodes starting at 11:15 PM!
After that, airs every Wednesday at 11:45 PM on TV Asahi National Network’s “IMAnimation W” block! (*Excluding some regions)
Second cour scheduled to begin in January 2026.
◆BS TV
Starts July 5th on BS Asahi, airing every Saturday at 1:00 AM.

【Streaming Information】
After terrestrial broadcast ends, begins exclusive advance streaming on ABEMA, U-NEXT, and Anime Houdai.
Starts sequential streaming on various services from July 5th (Saturday) at 0:15 AM every Saturday.
*Only the first episode will be available from July 5th (Saturday) at 11:45 PM.
*Streaming dates and times are subject to change without notice.
*Please check the official website for details.

【STAFF】

Role	Name
Original Creator (Story)	Makura Shou
Original Creator (Manga)	Okano Takeshi
Director	Ooishi Yasuyuki
Assistant Director	Yamada Fumihito
Series Composition	Ookusa Yoshiki
Character Design	Yoshiyama Yuu
Sub-Character Design	Takahashi Atsuko
Prop Design	Itou Ioriko
Yokai Design	Tanaka Hiroki
Yokai Design	Kijimaru
Action Director	Kagami Takahiro
Action Director	Yoshiyama Yuu
Art Setting	Hirasawa Akihiro
Art Director	Kasuga Minami
Color Design	Noji Hirona
3DCG Director	Kira Masanari
Screen Design	Tamura Jin
Cinematography Director	Hiramoto Eiko
Editor	Yoshitake Masato
Sound Director	Nagura Yasushi
Sound Effects	Morikawa Eiko
Sound Effects	Satou Rio
Recording Engineer	Shiihara Soushi
Music	Evan Call
Opening Theme	“P0WER-Akuryou Taisan-” -Shintenchi Kaibyaku Shuudan Jiguzagu-
Ending Theme	“Himawari” Chilli Beans.
Animation Production	Studio KAI

【CAST】

Character	Voice Actor
Nueno Meisuke	Okiayu Ryoutarou
Tateno Hiroshi	Shiraishi Ryouko
Inaba Kyouko	Suzaki Aya
Hosokawa Miki	Kurosawa Tomoyo
Kimura Katsuya	Iwasaki Ryouta
Kurita Makoto	Kochoumon Shiho
Takahashi Ritsuko	Endou Aya
Yukime	Kakuma Ai
Tamamo Kyousuke	Morikawa Tomoyuki