The historical manga Tenmaku no Jadugar, winner of multiple manga awards, has been adapted into a TV anime currently airing on TV Asahi’s nationwide 24-station network “IMAnimation” and BS Asahi. Based on the original manga by Tomato Soup (serialized in Akita Shoten’s Souffle), the story is set in 13th-century Mongolia and follows a former slave girl named Sitara as she shakes the empire.
In this series, Kenji Nojima voices Juchi, the first prince of Emperor Genghis Khan—a reserved and gentle character who nevertheless harbors strong convictions. We conducted an email interview with Nojima to discuss his first impressions of the work and Juchi, the appeal of protagonist Sitara, and his own life turning points.
Kenji Nojima on Juchi: “A Character with Hidden Conflict”
—What was your impression when you first encountered the original work and its world? What drew you in?
Nojima: The great waves of history and the passion of the people living within them left a vivid impression on me. There is a captivating clash of strategy and culture that makes it hard to look away once you step into it.
—What was your initial impression of the character Juchi?
Nojima: Juchi is a strong-willed person who tries to stick to his beliefs. Even though he appears calm, I think he has inner conflicts hidden inside, making him a very human and rewarding character to portray.
—Are there any scenes or directions that left an impression on you?
Nojima: When playing Juchi, I tried not to let emotions explode but instead maintain a hidden calmness. The scenes where the brothers gather made me realize again how important the balance between each of them is.
“I Like Sitara’s Intellectual Strength” — Focus on People Living Through Turbulent Times
—The series features many appealing characters. Besides Juchi, is there any character you are particularly interested in or found impressive?
Nojima: The protagonist, Sitara. Despite being tossed around by a harsh fate, she cuts her own path with wisdom and willpower, which captivates me beyond any position. I like her intellectual strength.
—This work depicts people living amid the “surge of history.” Have you experienced any major shifts or turning points in your own life?
Nojima: The COVID-19 pandemic was a big turning point for me, making me reexamine how I express myself. The sudden changes in studio recording and the cancellation of live performances were confusing at first, but I realized there are things we can do precisely because of the situation. It became an opportunity to step into new forms of expression, such as online reading live events.
—Please give a message to viewers enjoying the broadcast. What aspects of Juchi should they pay attention to?
Nojima: Please experience the historical romance depicted on an overwhelming scale. The way the characters, including Juchi, desperately live through a turbulent era—don’t miss it until the very end!
TV Anime Tenmaku no Jadugar
Currently airing on TV Asahi’s nationwide 24-station network “IMAnimation” and BS Asahi!
| Staff | |
|---|---|
| Original Work | Tomato Soup, Tenmaku no Jadugar (serialized in Akita Shoten’s Souffle) |
| General Director | Yamada Naoko |
| Director | Abel Gongora |
| Series Composition | Kato Kanichi |
| Character Design & Chief Animation | Yoshida Kenichi |
| Chief Episode Director | Fujikura Takuya |
| Art Director | Kabesawa Yuri |
| Color Design | Konno Narumi |
| Director of Photography | Takahashi Naoki |
| Editor | Hirose Kiyoshi |
| Music | Hino Koshiro |
| Sound Director | Konuma Noriyoshi |
| Animation Production | Science SARU |
| Cast | |
|---|---|
| Sitara | Sekine Akira |
| Doregene | Koshimizu Ami |
| Fatima | Kuwashima Houko |
| Muhammad | Saito Jun |
| Ogotai | Shimono Hiro |
| Tolui | Suzuki Ryota |
| Shira | Iri no Jiyu |
| Chagatai | Namikawa Daisuke |
| Juchi | Nojima Kenji |
| Sorqoqtani | Kuno Misaki |
| Moge | Asai Sayaka |
| Kyrgyzstani | Shintani Mayumi |
| Boraqchin | ???? |
● Opening Theme: SEKAI NO OWARI “Stella”
● Ending Theme: Jooubachi “Hoshi”
— Written by Kaori Yoneda
