“Ao no Miburo” x Movie “Shinkaishaku Bakumatsuden”: The Bakumatsu Period is Hot This New Year! Collaboration Visual & Movie Released, Special Program Also Announced

A Dream Collaboration Between Two Bakumatsu Stories!

The dream collaboration between two works that portray the Bakumatsu period from completely different angles—the anime Aoi no Miburo and the film Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden—has become a reality! A collaborative visual and movie have been released to celebrate. Furthermore, it’s been announced that a special collaboration TV program, Shittara Hito ni Iitakunaru! Kyoukasho niwa Noranai!? Bakumatsu no Himitsu 50 Renge (Once You Know, You’ll Want to Tell Someone! 50 Rapid-Fire Bakumatsu Secrets Not in Textbooks!?), will air on December 20, 2025, to commemorate the start of both projects.

Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden × Aoi no Miburo Collaboration Visual

Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden Visual

Aoi no Miburo Collaboration Visual

Shittara Hito ni Iitakunaru! Kyoukasho niwa Noranai!? Bakumatsu no Himitsu 50 Renge Logo

Two Takes on a Legendary Era

The film Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden (which can be translated as New Interpretation: Bakumatsu Tale) opens in theaters on December 19. It depicts the story of two men, Sakamoto Ryouma and Saigou Takamori, who rose up to change Japan’s future. Were the men who forged a new era truly heroes? A tale of battle and friendship, unlike anything imagined before, unfolds through this new interpretation.

The second season of the anime Aoi no Miburo, titled “—Serizawa Ansatsu Hen—” (The Serizawa Assassination Chapter), begins broadcasting on December 20. The members of the Mibu Roshigumi, later known as the Shinsengumi, have deepened their bonds through life-risking battles to protect the capital of Kyoto. However, as their unwavering, clashing senses of justice intersect, the story plunges headlong into a fleeting tale of assassination. An unforgettable human drama unfolds.

Celebrating the Bakumatsu Boom

The common stage for these two works is none other than the “Bakumatsu” period, an era beloved by the Japanese. This turbulent time that shook Japan has been featured in countless entertainment mediums—film, novels, dramas, manga, anime—giving birth to numerous masterpieces. This winter, as these two new Bakumatsu-themed works spring into action, they have achieved a dream collaboration, portraying the era from their unique perspectives.

The collaboration visual, which pays homage to the Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden movie poster, features the squad members of Aoi no Miburo standing proudly in a row, rivaling the film’s glamorous cast. Be sure to check out the vibrant, lively expressions of the characters thriving in this tumultuous age.

Furthermore, the collaboration movie packs the intense heat of conviction and bonds portrayed in both works, under the message “This New Year’s holiday season, Bakumatsu is hot!” Watching this promo is guaranteed to skyrocket your anticipation for both stories. Check out the collaboration movie on both works’ official X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

Special Collaboration TV Program

To commemorate the launch of both works, a special collaboration TV program titled Shittara Hito ni Iitakunaru! Kyoukasho niwa Noranai!? Bakumatsu no Himitsu 50 Renge has been greenlit. With Izawa Takushi as MC, joined by Yui-P (Okazu Club) and Satou Ryuuga (ACEes), it will be a Bakumatsu trivia entertainment show introducing astonishing facts about the era. It will air in the Kansai area on December 20 at 14:30, with broadcasts in other areas also planned. It will also be streamed on TVer, so tuning in will help you enjoy the world of “Bakumatsu” even more in preparation for both titles.

Mark your calendars! Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden opens on December 19, and Aoi no Miburo Season 2 begins on December 20. This year’s holiday season, you won’t be able to take your eyes off “Bakumatsu”!

Production Information & Cast

Movie: Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsuden

Release Date	December 19 (Friday)
Screenplay & Director	Fukuda Yuuichi
Cast	Muro Tsuyoshi, Satou Jirou, Hirose Arisu, Iwata Takanori, Yamoto Yuuma, Matsuyama Ken’ichi, Sometani Shouta, Katsuji Ryou, Kura Yuuki, Yamashita Mizuki, Kaku Kento, Kote Nobuya, Takahashi Katsumi, Ichimura Masachika, Watabe Atsurou, Yamada Takayuki

Anime: Aoi no Miburo Season 2

Broadcast Slot	Yomiuri TV / Nippon TV Network, Every Saturday at 17:30
First Episode	December 20 (Saturday)
Original Work	Yasuda Tsuyoshi’s Aoi no Miburo (Serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shounen Magazine)
Cast	Umeda Shuuitsurou, Kobayashi Chiaki, Horie Shun, Azakami Youhei, Ono Kenshou, Takeuchi Ryouta, Sugita Tomokazu

Collaboration Special: Shittara Hito ni Iitakunaru! Kyoukasho niwa Noranai!? Bakumatsu no Himitsu 50 Renge

Host & Guests	MC: Izawa Takushi, Yui-P (Okazu Club), Satou Ryuuga (ACEes)
Kansai Broadcast	Yomiuri TV, December 20 (Saturday) 14:30-15:00
Streaming	TVer: Available from December 20 (Sat) 17:30 to January 10 (Sat) 23:59 (Free Catch-up)