The summer 2026 anime Neko to Ryuu has released the synopsis and advance scene cuts for its first episode, titled “Neko to Ryuu,” which will begin airing on July 4, 2026.
Neko to Ryuu is based on a fantasy story by Amara that originally gained attention on the novel submission site Shousetsuka ni Narou, where it achieved an unprecedented daily ranking of #1 as a short work. The character drafts are by Ookuma Mai, and the manga adaptation is by Sasaki Izumi. Published by Takarajimasha, the series has sold over 1.4 million copies in total across its novel, bunkobon, and manga editions (9 novel volumes, 4 bunkobon volumes, and 12 manga volumes). The anime presents an omnibus-style tale of a dragon raised by cats, the cats themselves, and the humans they encounter—a heartwarming yet slightly bittersweet story of an unusual bond.
Directed by O Jingu, the animation is produced by OLM. The cast includes Koyasu Takehito as Neko Ryuu (the cat-dragon), Inoue Kikuko as Mama Nyan, Izumi Fuka as Shirotae, Hayami Shou as Kurobane, Sugiyama Noriaki as Haibuchi, Kawase Maki as Chikuro, Tokunaga Shinnosuke as Kurotama, Tanezaki Atsumi as Gari, Anzai Chika as Annerossa, Enoki Junya as Stan, and many others including Serizawa Yuu, Koichi Makoto, Ichijou Kazuya, Tadokoro Youko, Ueda Youji, Shirasu Saho, Hanae Natsuki, and Asou Tomohisa.
Episode 1 Synopsis
Deep in a forest infested with magical beasts, a mother cat is about to give birth. She safely delivers her kittens in a warm cave, but from beneath a pile of fallen leaves, a tiny fire-breathing dragon baby emerges. The dragon had lost its real mother shortly after being born. Despite the difference in species, the mother cat decides to raise the dragon as her own child.
Broadcast Information
Episode 1 of Neko to Ryuu will air on July 4, 2026 (Saturday) on TOKYO MX, BS Nittele, Yomiuri TV, AT-X, and Nagasaki Bunka Housou. Specific times are as follows:
- TOKYO MX: Saturdays from 21:00 (starting July 4)
- BS Nittele: Mondays from 23:30 (starting July 6)
- Yomiuri TV: Tuesdays from 25:29 (starting July 7)
- AT-X: Thursdays from 23:30 (starting July 9; repeats: Mondays 10:30, Wednesdays 16:30)
- Nagasaki Bunka Housou: Wednesdays from 25:20 (starting July 8)
Streaming will be available on dAnime Store and ABEMA from June 27 (Saturday) at 21:30, one week ahead of the terrestrial broadcast. Other streaming services will begin distribution from July 4 (Saturday) at 21:00. Dates and times are subject to change.
Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Story | Amara |
| Character Draft | Ookuma Mai |
| Manga | Sasaki Izumi (Takarajimasha) |
| Director | O Jingu |
| Series Composition | Hirota Mitsuki |
| Character Design | Kurakazu Chiaki, Nishino Rie |
| Sub-Character Design | Kurosawa Hiromi |
| Prop Design | Chou Rikibun |
| Art Setting | Iraha Risa |
| Art Director | Xue Ping |
| Color Design | Kojima Makiko |
| CG Director | Nakajima Chinae |
| Photography Director | Takahashi Kenji |
| Editor | Watanabe Naoki |
| Music | Obata Takahiro |
| Sound Director | Konuma Noriyoshi |
| Animation Production | OLM |
Cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Neko Ryuu | Koyasu Takehito |
| Mama Nyan | Inoue Kikuko |
| Shirotae | Izumi Fuka |
| Kurobane | Hayami Shou |
| Haibuchi | Sugiyama Noriaki |
| Chikuro | Kawase Maki |
| Kurotama | Tokunaga Shinnosuke |
| Gari | Tanezaki Atsumi |
| Annerossa | Anzai Chika |
| Stan | Enoki Junya |
| Ha Neko | Serizawa Yuu |
| Ouji | Koichi Makoto |
| Kokuou | Ichijou Kazuya |
| Greater Demon | Tadokoro Youko |
| Yondaime Moshamosha | Ueda Youji |
| Mike Mike | Shirasu Saho |
| Monaruka (Kuro) | Hanae Natsuki |
| Pompora | Asou Tomohisa |
(C) Amara / Takarajimasha / “Neko to Ryuu” Production Committee
