High School! Kimengumi: Snow Man’s Sakuma Daisuke Joins Cast as Kireide Shou, Leader of Irootoko-gumi (Handsome Guys Group)

A Blast from the Past Gets a New Anime: Highschool! Kimengumi is Back!

Get ready for some classic laughter! The highly anticipated new TV anime, Highschool! Kimengumi, is set to kick off its broadcast on January 9, 2026. Adding to the excitement, SaKuMa Daisuke of the popular idol group Snow Man has been confirmed to join the cast, lending his voice to Kiride Shou (whose name can be read as Kireideshou, meaning “looks beautiful”), the charismatic leader of the handsome student group, the Ikeotoko-Gumi (literally ‘Good-looking Guy Group’). This winter, prepare for a fresh take on a beloved classic!

Highschool! Kimengumi Teaser Visual

The Legacy of Highschool! Kimengumi and Its Grand Return

Highschool! Kimengumi is based on a wildly popular school comedy manga that began its serialization in “Weekly Shounen Jump” in 1980 under the title 3-Nen Kimengumi. As the eccentric characters advanced through school, the series was retitled to Highschool! Kimengumi, which was a fresh and innovative approach for its time and became a huge hit. The series was previously adapted into a TV anime from 1985 to 1987, creating a massive boom across Japan. Now, the latest installment is ready to charm a new generation!

The new series will premiere on January 9, 2026, airing every Friday at 23:30 on Fuji TV’s prestigious “Noitamina” block nationwide.

SaKuMa Daisuke Joins the Cast as Kiride Shou, Leader of the Ikeotoko-Gumi

Fans will be thrilled to learn that SaKuMa Daisuke of the nine-member male idol group Snow Man is making his mark in the anime world by voicing Kiride Shou, the leader of the dashing Ikeotoko-Gumi.

Highschool! Kimengumi Leader Visual Vol. 4

The Ikeotoko-Gumi is a five-member group consisting of Kiride Shou, Setto Kimeru, Tanokin Torio, Sugata Kazaru, and Hokori Takashi. These handsome boys are the most popular group in school, often eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the female students. While their main priority is attracting girls, their academic and athletic abilities tend to be, shall we say, less than stellar!

Highschool! Kimengumi Ikeotoko-Gumi

Kiride Shou, true to his name, is a gorgeous individual with unparalleled skills in charming girls. Despite being a people-pleaser, there’s just something about him that makes him utterly endearing. The fourth and final leader visual, unveiled to celebrate the character reveals, fittingly features Kiride Shou striking a cool pose, perfectly embodying his handsome persona.

SaKuMa Daisuke’s Voice Acting Journey and Personal Reflections

A photo from SaKuMa Daisuke‘s voice acting session has been released, also showing a heartwarming two-shot with Seki Tomokazu, who voices IchiDou Rei. Reflecting on his role, SaKuMa-san shared, “I’m pouring my heart and soul into the voice recording for this work, so I hope that Kiride Shou, whom I portray, becomes a character that everyone loves.”

Highschool! Kimengumi: Seki Tomokazu & SaKuMa Daisuke

A Special Sneak Peek: Episode 1 Advance Screening Event Announced!

Mark your calendars! An advance screening for the first episode will be held on December 21, 2025, at United Cinemas Aqua City ODaiba. The event will feature a star-studded cast, including Seki Tomokazu, TakeUchi Shunsuke, MatsuOka Yoshitsugu, Kobayashi Chiaki, and Totani Kikunosuke – the voices of the five members of the Kimengumi – as well as SaKuMa Daisuke himself! Tickets are priced at 3,500 yen, and pre-reservations are currently open via Ticket Pia.

Full Comment from SaKuMa Daisuke

SaKuMa Daisuke (Voice of Kiride Shou):

――Please share a message for the viewers!
When the anime adaptation of Highschool! Kimengumi was announced, it generated a lot of buzz, and I truly realized once again what a deeply loved series it is, with such passionate fans. I’m putting all my love into the voice recording for this work, so I hope that Kiride Shou, whom I portray, becomes a character that everyone adores. Please look forward to Kimengumi!

――If you could go back to your school days, what would you like to do?
I entered this industry when I was in junior high school, so I didn’t get to participate much in school events. I think if I could go back and participate in cultural festivals and other school events with the potential I have now, I’d probably be a hero! (laughs) That’s something I’d really love to do.

Event Details: TV Anime Highschool! Kimengumi Episode 1 Advance Screening

Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Venue: United Cinemas Aqua City ODaiba
Time: 18:30 screening (followed by a talk show)
Content: Episode 1 screening + Talk show by cast members
Guests (scheduled): Seki Tomokazu, TakeUchi Shunsuke, MatsuOka Yoshitsugu, Kobayashi Chiaki, Totani Kikunosuke, SaKuMa Daisuke
*Please note that the guest lineup is subject to change without prior notice.
Ticket Price: 3,500 yen (tax included) (Additional handling fees apply)
Ticket Sales: Pre-reservations begin November 25, 2025 (Tuesday) at 7:00 AM via Ticket Pia.

Highschool! Kimengumi TV Anime Overview

Broadcast Start: From January 9, 2026, every Friday at 23:30 on Fuji TV’s “Noitamina” block nationwide.

Introduction

Get ready for a high-energy gag anime for the Reiwa era! Let the unique characters help you laugh away your daily fatigue!

The original work began its serialization as 3-Nen Kimengumi in “Weekly Shounen Jump” (Shueisha) in 1980. It became a massive hit and was later retitled Highschool! Kimengumi as the characters advanced, an innovative approach for its time. Furthermore, a TV anime adaptation broadcast from 1985 sparked a nationwide sensation. Now, Highschool! Kimengumi is slated for a new anime production in the Reiwa era of 2026!

The new anime will be directed by Seki Kazuaki, who has recently directed films such as Kakukaku Shikajika and Beethoven Neizou, and has also worked on various music videos for artists like Perfume, Hoshino Gen, Fujii Kaze, and Vaundy. He will bring his diverse talents to depict the Kimengumi in a style suited for the modern Reiwa era.

The five members of the Kimengumi embrace their “odd faces” (Kimen) as unique strengths, turning them into positives. Alongside them, familiar and equally eccentric groups like the Ikeotoko-Gumi (Handsome Guy Group), Ban-Gumi (Delinquent Group), Ude-Gumi (Strong Arm Group), and Ojo-Gumi (Lady Group) will also appear. Get ready to laugh and blow away your everyday stress with Highschool! Kimengumi!

Story

At Ichiou Junior High, IchiDou Rei, Reietsu Gou, Shusse Kiyoshi, Daima Jin, and Monohoshi Dai are known as the legendary “Kimengumi” – a notorious group of five unique and wild individuals, some of whom have even repeated a grade. Transfer student Kawa Yui, along with her classmate Uru Chie, witnesses the antics of the Kimengumi and becomes increasingly fascinated, eventually joining in their adventures.

Ichiou Junior High is also home to other distinctive groups: the popular Ikeotoko-Gumi led by Kiride Shou, the delinquent Ban-Gumi led by Nihiruda You, the athletic Ude-Gumi led by Undou Kai, and the tough girl gang Ojo-Gumi led by Amano Jako. As time flies by since their initial encounters, a new spring awaits them all…

Staff

Cast

(C) ShinZawa Motoei / Shueisha・Kimengumi

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