The TV anime Tenmaku no Jaadugar premiered on July 4, 2026 with a special one-hour broadcast of its first two episodes. The series, based on the historical manga by Tomato Soup, immediately drew praise for its beautiful visuals—but Episode 2 delivered a devastating turn that left viewers reeling.
Main visual for Tenmaku no Jaadugar
The story is set in 13th-century Mongolia. Shitara, a former slave girl taken prisoner by the Mongol Empire, meets Doregene, the sixth wife of the Mongol emperor, and uses her wits to shake the empire from within. The anime is produced by Science SARU (known for Dandadan, The Heike Story, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!), with chief director Yamada Naoko and director Abel Gongora.
The cast includes Sekine Akira as Shitara, Koshiba Ami as Doregene, Kuwashima Houko as Fatima, Saito Jun as Muhammad, Shimono Hiro as Ogotai, Suzuki Ryota as Torui, Irino Miyu as Shira, Namikawa Daisuke as Chagatai, and Nojima Kenji as Juchi.
Note: The following contains spoilers for Episodes 1 and 2.
Episode 1, titled “What Is in Heaven, What Is on Earth,” opens with Shitara running through the streets of Tus to the call of the Adhan. Fans immediately praised the visuals: “The art is incredible,” “It feels like a movie,” “The color design is like a picture book,” “The staff credit font is cute,” “It really moves in Tomato Soup’s style!”
Preview cut from the first broadcast of summer anime Tenmaku no Jaadugar
Shitara is bought as a slave by Fatima, a scholar’s wife. Fatima tries to educate her, but Shitara, who dislikes studying, runs away. She meets Fatima’s son Muhammad, who catches her. Shitara cries, “If I learn, my price goes up—I don’t want to be sold far away!” Viewers sympathized: “I cried too,” “So she was pretending to be useless,” and praised Sekine Akira’s performance: “Shitara is so clever,” “Genius acting.”
Muhammad teaches Shitara the value of learning by showing her a basin-dropping trick. Inspired, she begins to study while working. She gradually opens up to him, but he leaves for Nishapur to find a teacher. Just after he says, “Don’t stop learning,” a narrator states, “This was the last time the two would ever meet.” Social media erupted: “What!?” “No way,” “He’s not leaving for good, right?” “Suddenly ominous.”
Preview cut from the first broadcast of summer anime Tenmaku no Jaadugar
Eight years later, Shitara can read. Fatima shows her Euclid’s Elements and astrology books. Fans compared it to Chi.: On the Movements of the Earth. Just as peace seems to continue, news arrives that the Tus army has been defeated by nomads. The episode ends with a grim battlefield scene.
The ending theme “Hoshi” by Queen Bee drew praise: “The watercolor-style visuals are beautiful,” “The song is too good!” Fans also noted that the commander at the end was voiced by sumo wrestler Takayasu.
Episode 2, “The Rose That Blooms in Safar,” begins with Shitara and Fatima hiding in the basement. Viewers felt dread: “I have a bad feeling,” “Too many flags.” Others worried about bathroom logistics: “How do they go to the toilet for three days?”
Their fears came true: Mongol soldiers open the door. The opening theme “Stella” by SEKAI NO OWARI played, earning praise: “The OP is amazing,” “So much effort,” “Beautiful,” “SEKAI NO OWARI fits perfectly.”
The soldiers take Euclid’s Elements from the basement. Fatima trembles, and Shitara tries to get it back. But the soldiers are angered and nearly kill her. Fatima shields her, saying, “Don’t touch my daughter,” and dies. Viewers screamed: “Nooo!!” “You’re kidding… Mistress…” “She called her daughter…” “Don’t die!”
Outside, Tus is burned. Shitara is taken to a camp where she reunites with Zumurrud and Anis, but Zumurrud’s brother is executed before her eyes. The contrast with Episode 1’s peace shocked fans: “Too cruel,” “No mercy,” “With such cute art, how could they?” “Too painful,” “Human life is so cheap,” “A hellscape.”
Preview cut from the first broadcast of summer anime Tenmaku no Jaadugar
Shitara learns that Nishapur, where Muhammad was, has also been destroyed. Then Zumurrud collapses from grief, and Anis attacks a soldier and is killed. Viewers were devastated: “Do they have no heart?” “The speed of these deaths leaves me speechless,” “Is there no salvation?” “What did these people do?” “My heart is broken.”
Preview cut from the first broadcast of summer anime Tenmaku no Jaadugar
Shitara, now a shell, wanders aimlessly. The interpreter Shira appears and says, “Don’t you want to get that book back?” Shitara is confused as Episode 2 ends.
Fans were shaken: “My life points are zero,” “If I watched Episode 2 alone, I couldn’t handle it,” “Only this art style makes it bearable.” Yet many praised the production: “It felt like five minutes,” “An incredibly fast hour,” “Painful but interesting,” “The music, voice acting, and art are all superb.”
What will become of Shitara after losing everyone? What is Shira’s motive for offering to retrieve the book? Episode 3 airs on July 11, 2026 at 23:30.
TV Anime Tenmaku no Jaadugar Broadcast Info
Start date: July 4, 2026 (Sat) 23:00 (first 2-episode 1-hour special). Thereafter every Saturday at 23:30.
Channels: TV Asahi national network “IMAnimation” slot, BS Asahi, etc.
Staff
Original: Tomato Soup, Tenmaku no Jaadugar (Akita Shoten “Souffle” serial)
Chief Director: Yamada Naoko
Director: Abel Gongora
Series Composition: Kato Kanichi
Character Design & Chief Animation: Yoshida Kenichi
Episode Director Chief: Fujikura Takuya
Art Director: Kabasawa Yuri
Color Design: Konno Narumi
Photography Director: Takahashi Naoki
Editor: Hirose Kiyoshi
Music: Hino Koshiro
Sound Director: Konuma Noriyoshi
Animation Production: Science SARU
Cast
Shitara: Sekine Akira
Doregene: Koshiba Ami
Fatima: Kuwashima Houko
Muhammad: Saito Jun
Ogotai: Shimono Hiro
Torui: Suzuki Ryota
Shira: Irino Miyu
Chagatai: Namikawa Daisuke
Juchi: Nojima Kenji
Music
Opening Theme: SEKAI NO OWARI “Stella”
Ending Theme: Queen Bee “Hoshi”
(C) Tomato Soup (Akita Shoten) / Tenmaku no Jaadugar Production Committee
《Hori Megumi》
