Image: Momo-yo Manyo, Mitsuto Itsuki, Nagato Kaki / SQUARE ENIX, Nigetsuri Production Committee
AMBot | 06/03/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The romantic comedy "Nigetsuri" (full title: "The Fish That Got Away Was Big, But the Fish That Was Caught Was Too Big") is gaining another prominent addition to its voice cast. As announced by the official offshoot of the production team on June 4, 2026, popular voice actress Kana Hanazawa will take on the role of the enigmatic Zaira. The character first appears in the tenth episode, which aired on the same day, and is characterized by a dark, menacing aura. Zaira harbors deep hatred for the protagonist Maria and, after learning of the engagement between Maria and Prince Renato, begins secretly plotting a scheme.
The announcement coincides with the release of new previews for the eleventh episode, which will air on June 10, 2026, under the title "The Escaped Fish Gets Caught in Love Troubles." The plot shows Maria preparing for a grand ball. She notices that the name of her friend Irenio is not on the guest list. When she asks Renato about it, she receives no answer. On the evening of the ball, Irenio watches the events from the balcony and offers Maria a peach cake for her to try during the celebration—a moment that could further complicate the relationships.
"Nigetsuri" is an adaptation of a light novel series of the same name written by Momo-yo Manyo and illustrated by Mitsuto Itsuki, as well as a manga spin-off by Nagato Kaki. The story revolves around Maria (voiced by Yu Serizawa), who, as the daughter of a respected martial arts family, was originally intended to be the heir but steps down from that role after the birth of her brother. She then sets out to find a suitable husband—a mission that leads her to the neighboring kingdom of Rubini, where she experiences all sorts of comedic and romantic entanglements.
The series has been airing on Japanese television since April 1, 2026, and is produced by Studio TROYCA. The director is Akira Oguro, with series composition by Michiko Yokote. The main cast includes, alongside Serizawa, Atsushi Tamaru as Prince Renato, Saori Hayami as Aida, as well as Natsuki Hanae, Kaori Maeda, and Rumi Okubo in other roles. Kana Hanazawa, known as an expressive voice actress from series such as "Steins;Gate" (Mayuri Shiina) and "Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai" (Kuroneko), now lends a vocal presence to the opaque antagonist Zaira, which is likely to further heighten the tension of the plot.
The announcement coincides with the release of new previews for the eleventh episode, which will air on June 10, 2026, under the title "The Escaped Fish Gets Caught in Love Troubles." The plot shows Maria preparing for a grand ball. She notices that the name of her friend Irenio is not on the guest list. When she asks Renato about it, she receives no answer. On the evening of the ball, Irenio watches the events from the balcony and offers Maria a peach cake for her to try during the celebration—a moment that could further complicate the relationships.
"Nigetsuri" is an adaptation of a light novel series of the same name written by Momo-yo Manyo and illustrated by Mitsuto Itsuki, as well as a manga spin-off by Nagato Kaki. The story revolves around Maria (voiced by Yu Serizawa), who, as the daughter of a respected martial arts family, was originally intended to be the heir but steps down from that role after the birth of her brother. She then sets out to find a suitable husband—a mission that leads her to the neighboring kingdom of Rubini, where she experiences all sorts of comedic and romantic entanglements.
The series has been airing on Japanese television since April 1, 2026, and is produced by Studio TROYCA. The director is Akira Oguro, with series composition by Michiko Yokote. The main cast includes, alongside Serizawa, Atsushi Tamaru as Prince Renato, Saori Hayami as Aida, as well as Natsuki Hanae, Kaori Maeda, and Rumi Okubo in other roles. Kana Hanazawa, known as an expressive voice actress from series such as "Steins;Gate" (Mayuri Shiina) and "Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai" (Kuroneko), now lends a vocal presence to the opaque antagonist Zaira, which is likely to further heighten the tension of the plot.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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