On Saturday, July 12, 2025, starting at 9:30 PM JST, the movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』 will be broadcast for the first time on terrestrial television in its entirety, without cuts, on the Fuji TV network.
This wildly popular film, which reveals the secret of Kitarou’s birth, was created in 2023 as a commemorative work for the 100th anniversary of the birth of the original manga artist, Mizuki Shigeru.
This article summarizes and introduces the film’s synopsis, overview, and related information.
- 『Gegege no Kitarou』とは／映画『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』について
- 確かな布陣のスタッフ、日本アニメ界を牽引する実力派声優にも注目！
- 最近も描き下ろしグッズやToei Animationによるオリジナルフィギュアが続々！
About 『Gegege no Kitarou』 / About the Movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』
『Gegege no Kitarou』 is a historic masterpiece series based on the original work by Mizuki Shigeru that has been loved for over 55 years since the broadcast of the first anime series began in January 1968. It has established a strong position and enduring popularity as the originator of the “youkai boom”, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is known throughout Japan, truly cherished as a “national anime”.
Since 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Mizuki Shigeru’s passing, a special broadcast titled 『Watashi no Ai shita Rekidai Gegege』 began in April, featuring episodes selected by celebrities who have a connection to Kitarou from the six anime series produced so far.
The movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』 was created in November 2023 as a commemorative work for Mizuki Shigeru’s 100th birthday. It is a feature-length anime film that depicts the secret of “Kitarou’s birth”, focusing on the encounter between the former Medama Oyaji and Mizuki, and the fate the two fathers confront.
The story begins with Kitarou and Medama Oyaji stepping into the ruins of the former Kuraki Village. Medama Oyaji recalls the events that occurred in this village 70 years prior: the encounter with that man, and the fate they both faced…
In Showa 31 (1956), Kuraki Village was controlled by the Ryuga family, who secretly held power over Japan’s political and financial circles. Mizuki, an employee of the Imperial Blood Bank, enters the village under the pretense of mourning the death of the family head, Tokisada, but carrying his own ambitions and a secret mission. Kitarou no Chichi also steps into the village, searching for his wife.
Within the Ryuga family, an ugly struggle for succession to Tokisada’s position had begun. Amidst this, a family member is brutally murdered at the village shrine, triggering a horrifying chain of bizarre events. What fate awaits Kitarou no Chichi and Mizuki in this encounter, and what will they witness in the face of overwhelming despair?
Notable Staff and Talented Voice Actors Leading the Japanese Anime Scene!
This film boasts a solid production team, with Koga Go (known for 『Gekijouban Gegege no Kitarou Nihon Bakuretsu!!』) serving as director, Yoshino Hiroyuki (known for works like the TV anime 『Macross F』) handling the script, and Yatabe Tooko-sensei (who served as assistant director on 『Shin Evangelion Gekijouban』) in charge of character design.
At the time of its release, events and talk shows featuring only these production staff members were held, and their comments garnered significant attention.
Furthermore, Yatabe-sensei’s character designs also became a point of focus, delighting fans with new illustrations released for various occasions, such as attendee special gifts, the illustration for the film winning the “Excellence in Animation” award at the 47th Japan Academy Film Prize, the illustration released for the first exhibition event “Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo ~Tsuioku Ten~”, and the collaboration illustration with 『Venom: The Last Dance』 released when the film was re-screened as 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo Shinsei-ban』 with upgraded quality in October 2024.
As for the cast, Seki Toshihiko plays Kitarou no Chichi (the former Medama Oyaji), and Kiuchi Hidenobu voices Mizuki.
The film features a lineup of talented voice actors who lead the Japanese anime industry. Roles for the Ryuga family and relatives living in Kuraki Village, where the two men venture for their respective reasons, are voiced by Tanezaki Atsumi (note: 崎 is written as “たつさき”), Kobayashi Yumiko, Shiratori Tetsu, Tobita Nobuo, Sawami Youko, Nakai Kazuya, Yamaji Kazuhiro, Minaguchi Yuuko, Kugimiya Rie, and Ishida Akira. Matsukaze Masaya also joins the cast as a weekly magazine reporter.
Furthermore, cast members from the sixth TV anime series, including Sawashiro Miyuki as Kitarou, Nozawa Masako as Medama Oyaji, and Shouji Umeka as Nekomusume, appear, along with Furukawa Tooru as Nezumi Otokoshi, fulfilling fans’ expectations.
The voice cast generated buzz from their grand reveal before the release, and continued to be a hot topic with stage greetings and new information announcements even after the film opened.
New Goods and Original Figures from Toei Animation Still Coming Out Recently!
Even recently, the enthusiasm for the movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』 hasn’t cooled down, with continued merchandise developments such as Bandai/BANDAI SPIRITS exclusive newly drawn goods themed after Hanafuda, newly drawn goods full of the atmosphere of each season (spring, summer, autumn, winter), and original figures of Kitarou no Chichi and Mizuki by Toei Animation.
This film is enjoyable not only for those who are not very familiar with Kitarou but also for those who have seen it before, as it hides subtle mysteries that might be missed on a single viewing, making it enjoyable to watch multiple times. Take this opportunity to experience it for yourself.
The movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』 will be broadcast for the first time on terrestrial television in its entirety, without cuts, on the Fuji TV network on Saturday, July 12th, starting at 9:30 PM JST.
Saturday Premium: Movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』
First terrestrial broadcast! No cuts
2025年7月12日(土) 21:30～23:40 放送
*Notice:
Broadcast time may be shifted if the “East Asian E-1 Football Championship Men’s: Japan vs. China” runs over.
Cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Kitarou no Chichi (former Medama Oyaji) | Seki Toshihiko |
| Mizuki | Kiuchi Hidenobu |
| Ryuga Sayo | Tanezaki Atsumi (崎は「たつさき」) |
| Osada Tokiya | Kobayashi Yumiko |
| Ryuga Tokisada | Shiratori Tetsu |
| Ryuga Tokimaro | Tobita Nobuo |
| Ryuga Kouzou | Nakai Kazuya |
| Ryuga Otome | Sawami Youko |
| Ryuga Katsunori | Yamaji Kazuhiro |
| Ryuga Hie | Minaguchi Yuuko |
| Osada Genji | Ishida Akira |
| Kitarou | Sawashiro Miyuki |
| Medama Oyaji | Nozawa Masako |
| Nekomusume | Shouji Umeka |
| Nezumi Otokoshi | Furukawa Tooru |
| Weekly Magazine Reporter | Matsukaze Masaya |
Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Work | Mizuki Shigeru |
| Director | Koga Go |
| Script | Yoshino Hiroyuki |
| Music | Kawai Kenji |
| Character Design | Yatabe Tooko |
| Art Director | Ichioka Mai |
| Color Design | Yokoyama Sayoko |
| Photography Director | Ishiyama Tomoyuki |
| Production Manager | Sawamori Hikaru, Horikoshi Yoshifumi |
《Nakase Koutarou》
Related links
- Movie “Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo” – Fuji TV
- Movie 『Kitarou Tanjou Gegege no Nazo』 Official Website
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