Following its world premiere in Japan and its prestigious selection for the Official Competition TV Films Category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, the upcoming TV anime Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia has already sparked major anticipation both in Japan and internationally ahead of its broadcast. The series will premiere on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with a 1-hour special featuring Episodes 1 and 2.
Prior to the upcoming broadcast, the pre-broadcast PV has been released! In addition, the ending theme song that will elegantly close out each episode is set to be “STAR”, a new song by QUEEN BEE, a one-of-a-kind presence that has captured global attention.
The original work, A Witch’s Life in Mongol, serialized in Japan on AKITASHOTEN’s Souffle website and written by Tomato Soup, is a historical court drama set in the 13th-century Mongol Empire.
It depicts the story of Sitara, a young girl who strives to survive a harsh fate by using knowledge as her weapon. The series has drawn significant attention, securing 1st place in Takarajimasha’s Kono manga ga sugoi! 2023 (Women’s Category) and placed in the Manga Taisho for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024.
Animation production will be handled by Science SARU, the internationally acclaimed studio behind works such as DAN DA DAN, The Heike Story, and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!.
Most recently,TV anime Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia was selected for the TV Film Production at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, and Manga A Witch’s Life in Mongol was selected the Grand Prize in the Comic Division at the 55th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards.
Pre-Broadcast PV & Full Main Visual Unveiled! Ending Theme Song Confirmed as “STAR” by QUEEN BEE, Featuring Special Comment from Author Tomato Soup!
The newly unveiled pre-broadcast PV beautifully captures the fate that Sitara begins to walk, along with her fierce resolve to stand against the mightiest empire on earth, all brought to life through Science SARU’s stunning visual artistry. With the broadcast premiering this week, the trailer elevates anticipation to an absolute fever pitch.
Furthermore, the full-scope version of the main visual marks its world premiere.. Depicting an endless blue sky, a winding river, and a traditional ger pitched against the vast Mongolian plains, this single artwork encapsulates the overwhelming visual beauty and masterful craftsmanship that Science SARU is renowned for. The expansive landscape hints at the sweeping scale of the upcoming story, where the determination of Sitara and Töregene will eventually escalate into a massive storm that shakes the entire Mongol Empire.
ENDING THEME BY QUEEN BEE
The ending theme song for the series has been confirmed as “STAR”, a brand-new track by QUEEN BEE! Renowned for their highly original worldview, overwhelming vocal prowess, and captivating live performances, QUEEN BEE has garnered enthusiastic support from fans and music festivals both in Japan and internationally. Created especially for the anime, “STAR” is a profound and powerful song that deeply resonates with the inner landscape of Sitara’s mind as she fights against her harsh fate, using knowledge as her weapon.
Comments from Avu-chan (QUEEN BEE)
Revenge. Amid the upheaval of the world depicted in this story, the protagonist continues to stand alone, carrying an immense weight within her. In that overwhelming strength, I saw a star.
I hope this song finds its way into your heart and lingers there.
Comments from Author: Tomato Soup
It feels as though I’m listening to the story of these women unfold inside a tent on a starlit night. This song, which whispers ‘Don’t forget,’ carries both sorrow and profound strength. Thank you for such a beautiful piece of music.
About QUEEN BEE
Formed in 2009, QUEEN BEE is a three-piece band consisting of Avu-chan (Vocals), Yashi-chan (Bass), and Hibari-kun (Guitar).
Renowned for Avu-chan’s distinctive vocal style, effortlessly moving between soaring highs and resonant lows, as well as the band’s bold creativity and captivating live performances, QUEEN BEE has become one of Japan’s most talked-about musical acts.
Their releases consistently rank among the top positions on both physical and digital music charts, while their live shows regularly sell out across the country. With their unique artistry, powerful stage presence, and widespread acclaim, QUEEN BEE continues to captivate audiences both in Japan and beyond.
・Information
QUEEN BEE
New Single “STAR”
Streaming & Download
On Sale July 5, 2026
Advance Streaming: https://QueenBee.lnk.to/7dPneu
CD
On Sale August 5, 2026
Pre-save: https://QueenBee.lnk.to/STAR_CD
Special Premiere Acts and Preview Cuts
The year is 1213, in the eastern Iranian city of Tus. Sitara, a young girl who has lost her mother and been torn far from her homeland, is taken in by Fatima, a kind-hearted lady from a family of scholars. At first, Sitara detests studying and tries to escape, but Fatima’s son Muhammad, an aspiring scholar himself, teaches her the true importance of learning, telling her: “If you study and become wise, no matter what trouble befalls you, you’ll know the best way forward.”
Sitara and the others spend their days peacefully enriching themselves with knowledge.
Yet their peaceful lives are suddenly shattered.
With the Mongol Empire on the rise, the army led by Tolui, the fourth prince, finally closes in on the land Sitara calls home—Plunged into the depths of despair as a captive of the Mongol army, Sitara is approached by Shira, a young boy working as an interpreter for the Mongols.
Overview
Story
A young girl and an empress.
Bound by a shared desire for revenge, the two will shake the mightiest empire the world has ever known.
After losing her mother and being torn far from her homeland, a young girl named Sitara is taken in by Fatima, a kind-hearted lady from a family of scholars.
“If you study and become wise, no matter what trouble befalls you, you’ll know the best way forward.”
Deeply moved by the words of Fatima’s son, Muhammad, Sitara comes to understand the possibilities and importance of knowledge and begins to deepen her education.
She dreams that one day, she might catch up with Muhammad, who has set off on a journey in pursuit of wisdom…
Meanwhile, under the reign of Emperor Genghis Khan, the mighty Mongol Empire continues its unstoppable march, conquering nation after nation and expanding its influence across the world. Before long, the tides of history reach the city where Sitara lives.
After losing everything to Tolui, the empire’s Fourth Prince, and being taken captive, Sitara resolves to use the only thing she has left, her intellect, to infiltrate the royal court and bring down the empire from within.
Though a flame of revenge burns within her heart, Sitara outwardly devotes herself to serving the empire. One day, she has a fateful encounter with Töregene, the sixth wife of the Third Prince, Ögedei. Haunted by a tragic past of her own, Töregene too carries a deep hatred for the empire within her heart.
Sitara and Töregene, two women who were never meant to meet. The moment they join hands, the wheels of fate begin to turn.
Broadcast Info
The TV anime premiere of Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will be a 1-hour special featuring both episodes 1 and 2 on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM JST on TV Asahi Network. Beginning the following week, the series will air every Saturday at 11:30 PM JST.
International Streaming & Broadcast / Licensee Info
Crunchyroll: Worldwide except Japan and Asia
ANIBOX: South Korea
Tropics Entertainment: Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao
ANIPLUS Asia: Southeast Asia
Univision: Mongolia
DEEP: Russia and Belarus
Staff
Original Story: Tomato Soup “A Witch’s Life in Mongol” (Souffle/AKITASHOTEN)
Executive Director: Naoko Yamada
Director: Abel Gongora
Series Composition: Kanichi Kato
Character Design and Sakuga Chief: Kenichi Yoshida
Assistant Director: Takuya Fujikura
Art Director: Yuri Kabasawa
Color Design: Narumi Konno
Compositing Director: Naoki Takahashi
Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
Music: Koshiro Hino
Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma
Animation Production: Science SARU
Cast
Sitara: Akira Sekine
Töregene: Ami Koshimizu
Fatima: Houko Kuwashima
Muhammad: Jun Saito
Ögedei: Hiro Shimono
Tolui: Ryota Suzuki
Shira: Miyu Irino
Chagatai: Daisuke Namikawa
Jochi: Kenji Nojima
Opening Theme Song
SEKAI NO OWARI
“Stella”
Ending Theme Song
QUEEN BEE
“STAR”
Links
Official Website: http://anime-jaadugar.com/
Official X (Japanese): @anime_jaadugar (https://x.com/anime_jaadugar)
Official X (Global): @Jaadugar_global (https://x.com/Jaadugar_global)
About Science SARU
Science SARU is an animation production company committed to nurturing new talent and implementing cutting-edge creative technology; the company has produced projects across different mediums, including for television, film, and streaming.
Representative works include the Annecy International Animation Film Festival Feature Film Grand Prix (Cristal) winner Lu Over the Wall, as well as The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl, DEVILMAN crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, INU-OH, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, The Colors Within, and DAN DA DAN. The company is praised worldwide for its high-quality work.
Science SARU’s Official Site: https://sciencesaru.com/
About TV Asahi
TV Asahi Corporation is a national commercial broadcaster in Japan, leading the Japanese content industry with a network of 23 affiliate stations nationwide. Since 1979, TV Asahi has continued to deliver beloved animated series through “Doraemon,” one of Japan’s most iconic kids and family franchises. TV Asahi has also built a diverse animation portfolio over the years, including “Shin chan,” which has entertained audiences since 1992, as well as more recent titles such as “The Dangers in My Heart” and “Akane-banashi.” TV Asahi is also actively growing its global business through original anime production in India and collaborative projects with partner studios in Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the US.
Manga Info
Title: A Witch’s Life in Mongol
Author: Tomato Soup
Serialized by AKITASHOTEN in Japan, available in English from YenPress
Link: https://yenpress.com/series/a-witch-s-life-in-mongol
Contact Information
For inquiries related to the work, please contact:
CyberAgent, Inc.
animeip_pr@cyberagent.co.jp
