High School! Kimengumi Anime Reboot Set for 2026 Broadcast

A beloved comedy classic is making its return. According to Gadget Tsushin, High School! Kimengumi will premiere as a completely reimagined anime series in January 2026 on Fuji TV's prestigious Noitamina programming block, featuring an all-new cast and production team.

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Kimengumi originally debuted in 1980 as "3-Nen Kimengumi" (3rd Year Kimengumi) in Weekly Shonen Jump. Created by Motoei Shinzawa, the series followed its characters through their school progression, eventually being retitled High School! Kimengumi—an innovative narrative approach for its time. The manga became a massive hit, and the 1985 TV anime adaptation on Fuji TV sparked a cultural phenomenon that defined 1980s Japanese comedy.

The story centers on the "Kimengumi" (Odd-Face Group)—five students at Ichio Junior High who embrace being "uncool" as their defining trait. Led by protagonist Rei Ichido, the group's motto is "Rather than becoming society's gears, let's be the seasoning that flavors the world." They use their unique "individuality" to pull off outrageous antics that constantly surprise, trouble, and occasionally delight those around them. While pure comedy drives the narrative, the series explores themes of diversity and self-acceptance that resonate strongly in today's society.

The 2026 adaptation marks director Kazuaki Seki's first foray into television animation. Seki recently directed the 2025 films Kakukaku Shikajika and Beethoven Forgery, and has created music videos for major artists including Perfume, Gen Hoshino, Fujii Kaze, and Vaundy. His diverse creative background promises a fresh, contemporary sensibility for the beloved characters.

The voice cast announcement brought major names to the project. Tomokazu Seki voices protagonist Rei Ichido, known for his transformative physical comedy and ability to avoid making enemies despite constant trouble. Other Kimengumi members include Shunsuke Takeuchi as Go Reiitsu, the muscle-bound pro wrestling enthusiast; Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kiyoshi Shusse, the group's surprisingly sensible but incorrigible ladies' man; Chiaki Kobayashi as Jin Daima, the gentle giant with a weakness for sleep and food; and Kikunosuke Toya as Dai Monoboshi, the romantically-inclined member with peculiar charm.

The female leads feature Haruka Shiraishi as Yui Kawa, the cheerful heroine who's equally eccentric as the Kimengumi boys, and Ikumi Hasegawa as Chie Uru, Yui's strong-willed best friend who frequently plays the straight-woman role.

To commemorate the anime announcement, an image music video dropped featuring Yui (voiced by Shiraishi) and Chie (voiced by Hasegawa) covering the original anime's theme song "Ushiroyubi Sasare-gumi." The track was produced by Night Tempo, the DJ and producer credited with pioneering the recent city pop revival boom, giving the classic tune a contemporary polish.

High School! Kimengumi premieres in January 2026 on Fuji TV's Noitamina block, airing Fridays at 11:30 PM. The Noitamina block, known for prestigious anime like Psycho-Pass and Your Lie in April, typically features sophisticated storytelling—making this high-energy comedy reboot an intriguing programming choice that signals confidence in the property's timeless appeal.