New preview film and opening song for anime "Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi" (Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-)

For the upcoming anime television series "Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi," also known by the English title "Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-," another official preview video has been released. The video offers new insights into the plot and simultaneously introduces the series' opening song.

The opening theme titled "Hamidashi Gomen" is contributed by the well-known Japanese rock band Porno Graffitti. The song was composed specifically for the anime series. The newly released preview video contains the first musical excerpts of this piece.

The series is based on the historical novels by Shogo Imamura, who has already received the prestigious Naoki Prize for his works. The story is set in historical Edo (present-day Tokyo) and follows Gengo Matsunaga, a once highly respected firefighting samurai who bore the nickname "Fire-Eating Bird." After quitting his service for personal reasons, he receives an offer to rebuild the completely dilapidated fire brigade of the Shinjo clan. Supported by his wife Miyuki and a colorful team of outsiders mocked as the "ragged fire brigade," he takes on this challenge. The story combines action with dramatic elements and shows the group's struggle against a mysterious series of fires plaguing the city.

The anime production is being handled by Studio SynergySP. Hiroshi Yasumi serves as the director, while Hajime Kamegaki takes on the role of chief director. The series composition is by Ryusuke Mori, and the music is composed by Yasuharu Takanashi.

The protagonist Gengo Matsunaga is voiced by Yuichiro Umehara. Other main roles of the fire brigade crew are portrayed by Shuichiro Umeda (as Shinnosuke Torigoe), Subaru Kimura (as Torajiro), Nobunaga Shimazaki (as Hikoya), and Kensho Ono (as Seijuro Kaji). The extensive cast also includes, among others, Ayaka Miyoshi as Miyuki and Junichi Suwabe as Kankuro Oto.

The anime series "Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi" (Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-) will begin its broadcast in January 2026.