Image: LA CHOUETTE COMPAGNIE / DUPUIS AUDIOVISUEL nach DREAMLAND von Reno Lemaire, erschienen bei PIKA EDITION
AMBot | 07/17/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
French mangaka Reno Lemaire has created one of the most successful French manga of the last two decades with "Dreamland" (Japanese title: "Dorīmu Rando"). Now, the series is coming to Japan as a TV anime – and in a fully localized version with Japanese voice actors.
Starting October 2026, "Dreamland" will air in the "ANiMAZiNG!!!" programming slot on ABC TV (TV Asahi network), which includes 24 stations nationwide. The broadcast slot is Saturdays at 2:00 AM. The Japanese localization is handled by Studio Amuse Creative Studio, with sound direction by Sōichirō Kubo. The Japanese voice cast has not yet been announced.
The announcement coincided with the launch of the official Japanese website and the release of a key visual with the motto "Become the Ruler of Dreams." In France, the anime had already premiered in July 2026 at Japan Expo in Paris – with a screening of the first full episode. The French version will be released on streaming services ADN and Crunchyroll starting October 2026, with a planned first season of ten episodes. On September 19 and 20, 2026, the first episodes will also be shown in select French cinemas.
"Dreamland" has been published in France by Pika Édition since 2006 and now comprises 24 volumes. Total sales in France exceed 800,000 copies. The manga is considered one of the longest-running French manga ever. Since October 2024, a Japanese translation has been published by Euromanga, initially digitally via LINE Manga and later in print.
The story revolves around high school student Terrence, who has suffered from a severe phobia of fire since his mother died in a blaze. In his nightmares, he is constantly pursued by flames. One night, however, he manages to gain control over his fear in his dream – and with it, the ability to control fire. Terrence awakens as a so-called "Dream Traveler," able to consciously explore the dream world "Dreamland." There, he meets other travelers and must confront dark nightmare princes.
Animation production is handled by the French studio Ellipse & La Chouette Compagnie, known for works such as "Garfield" and "The Smurfs." Direction is by Juan Pablo Machado and Joe Celse, both of whom grew up with Japanese anime aesthetics and incorporate them into the staging. The screenplay is by Jean-Luc Cano and Antoine Maurel, with music composed by Fabien Nataf. In the original French version, Luca Garzo (Terrence), Grégory Laisné (Sabba), Valérie Bescht (Eve), Adrien Larmande (Savane), and Émilie Marié (Lydia) lend their voices to the main characters.
Reno Lemaire expressed his overwhelming feelings about the Japanese broadcast: "That my work is being shown in faraway Japan is an indescribable honor. I hope the Japanese audience can learn something about the lives of French youth through the story." Director Machado added: "I never dreamed that my own series would air in Japan. The blend of Lemaire's French perspective and Japanese animation art makes 'Dreamland' something truly special."
With its Japanese broadcast, a work deeply influenced by Japanese manga and anime receives a special return to the birthplace of these aesthetics. The complete localization underscores the ambition to make the French original as accessible as possible to Japanese viewers.
Starting October 2026, "Dreamland" will air in the "ANiMAZiNG!!!" programming slot on ABC TV (TV Asahi network), which includes 24 stations nationwide. The broadcast slot is Saturdays at 2:00 AM. The Japanese localization is handled by Studio Amuse Creative Studio, with sound direction by Sōichirō Kubo. The Japanese voice cast has not yet been announced.
The announcement coincided with the launch of the official Japanese website and the release of a key visual with the motto "Become the Ruler of Dreams." In France, the anime had already premiered in July 2026 at Japan Expo in Paris – with a screening of the first full episode. The French version will be released on streaming services ADN and Crunchyroll starting October 2026, with a planned first season of ten episodes. On September 19 and 20, 2026, the first episodes will also be shown in select French cinemas.
"Dreamland" has been published in France by Pika Édition since 2006 and now comprises 24 volumes. Total sales in France exceed 800,000 copies. The manga is considered one of the longest-running French manga ever. Since October 2024, a Japanese translation has been published by Euromanga, initially digitally via LINE Manga and later in print.
The story revolves around high school student Terrence, who has suffered from a severe phobia of fire since his mother died in a blaze. In his nightmares, he is constantly pursued by flames. One night, however, he manages to gain control over his fear in his dream – and with it, the ability to control fire. Terrence awakens as a so-called "Dream Traveler," able to consciously explore the dream world "Dreamland." There, he meets other travelers and must confront dark nightmare princes.
Animation production is handled by the French studio Ellipse & La Chouette Compagnie, known for works such as "Garfield" and "The Smurfs." Direction is by Juan Pablo Machado and Joe Celse, both of whom grew up with Japanese anime aesthetics and incorporate them into the staging. The screenplay is by Jean-Luc Cano and Antoine Maurel, with music composed by Fabien Nataf. In the original French version, Luca Garzo (Terrence), Grégory Laisné (Sabba), Valérie Bescht (Eve), Adrien Larmande (Savane), and Émilie Marié (Lydia) lend their voices to the main characters.
Reno Lemaire expressed his overwhelming feelings about the Japanese broadcast: "That my work is being shown in faraway Japan is an indescribable honor. I hope the Japanese audience can learn something about the lives of French youth through the story." Director Machado added: "I never dreamed that my own series would air in Japan. The blend of Lemaire's French perspective and Japanese animation art makes 'Dreamland' something truly special."
With its Japanese broadcast, a work deeply influenced by Japanese manga and anime receives a special return to the birthplace of these aesthetics. The complete localization underscores the ambition to make the French original as accessible as possible to Japanese viewers.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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