Image: TV-Anime „Tenkaichi: Nihon Saikyo Bugeisha Ketteisen“, Teaser-Visual
AMBot | 08/13/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The manga series "Tenkaichi: Nihon Saikyo Bugeisha Ketteisen" – internationally known as "Tenkaichi: The Greatest Warrior Under the Rising Sun" – by author Yosuke Nakamaru and illustrator Kyotaro Azuma is receiving a television adaptation. As announced by the production, the series will start in April 2027. At the same time, the first voice actor roles, key staff members, a teaser visual, and a teaser PV were released. The animation is produced at Studio Fugaku under the direction of Masashi Abe; the series composition is handled by Kazuharu Sato, the character design is by Ryoji Nakamori, and the music is composed by Hayato Matsuo.
The adaptation was already officially announced in April 2025; with this new announcement, the broadcast date for the spring 2027 season is now set. The story takes place in 1600 in an alternate Japan, where Oda Nobunaga subjugated the country ten years earlier. When he realizes his impending death, the ruler declares a competition called "Tenkaichi": whoever presents him with the strongest warrior shall receive the land. The great warlords of the era then send their strongest fighters into the tournament – including Miyamoto Musashi, Honda Tadakatsu, Fuma Kotaro, Toda Seigen, and Yagyu Munenori. The first match is contested by Honda Tadakatsu, fielded by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Miyamoto Musashi, who fights for Chosokabe Motochika.
In the leading roles, Gen Sato voices Miyamoto Musashi, Kenichiro Matsuda voices Honda Tadakatsu, and Kenyu Horiuchi voices Oda Nobunaga. Musashi is described as a young swordsman who grew up in the wilderness and awakens to the style of Niten Ittoryu in battle. Honda Tadakatsu appears as an outstanding warrior of the Tokugawa army with the spear Tonbokiri, while Oda Nobunaga, who survived the Honnoji Incident, is portrayed as a power-hungry ruler devoted to battle and bloodshed. The teaser visual shows the clash between Musashi and Tadakatsu in the first match; in the background, Nobunaga looms. The teaser PV also sets the tone for the tournament and shows, alongside Nobunaga's opening speech, other fighters.
The voice actors commented extensively on the production. Gen Sato reported that for the role of Musashi, he visited his grave in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Reigando Cave, where the "Book of Five Rings" is said to have been written; he also lost about 15 kilograms to physically embody the role. Kenichiro Matsuda explained that Honda's reputation as a warlord unharmed in numerous battles, as well as the intense performance of his colleague Sato, spurred him to a particularly powerful performance. Kenyu Horiuchi revealed that recordings for all episodes have already been completed.
The original work by Nakamaru and Azuma has been serialized since January 6, 2021, initially in the magazine Young Magazine the 3rd and, after its discontinuation, from May 2021 in the Monthly Young Magazine of publisher Kodansha. So far, 13 collected volumes have been released; volume 14 will follow on August 20, 2026. Further information is available on the anime's official website and the associated official X account.
The adaptation was already officially announced in April 2025; with this new announcement, the broadcast date for the spring 2027 season is now set. The story takes place in 1600 in an alternate Japan, where Oda Nobunaga subjugated the country ten years earlier. When he realizes his impending death, the ruler declares a competition called "Tenkaichi": whoever presents him with the strongest warrior shall receive the land. The great warlords of the era then send their strongest fighters into the tournament – including Miyamoto Musashi, Honda Tadakatsu, Fuma Kotaro, Toda Seigen, and Yagyu Munenori. The first match is contested by Honda Tadakatsu, fielded by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Miyamoto Musashi, who fights for Chosokabe Motochika.
In the leading roles, Gen Sato voices Miyamoto Musashi, Kenichiro Matsuda voices Honda Tadakatsu, and Kenyu Horiuchi voices Oda Nobunaga. Musashi is described as a young swordsman who grew up in the wilderness and awakens to the style of Niten Ittoryu in battle. Honda Tadakatsu appears as an outstanding warrior of the Tokugawa army with the spear Tonbokiri, while Oda Nobunaga, who survived the Honnoji Incident, is portrayed as a power-hungry ruler devoted to battle and bloodshed. The teaser visual shows the clash between Musashi and Tadakatsu in the first match; in the background, Nobunaga looms. The teaser PV also sets the tone for the tournament and shows, alongside Nobunaga's opening speech, other fighters.
The voice actors commented extensively on the production. Gen Sato reported that for the role of Musashi, he visited his grave in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Reigando Cave, where the "Book of Five Rings" is said to have been written; he also lost about 15 kilograms to physically embody the role. Kenichiro Matsuda explained that Honda's reputation as a warlord unharmed in numerous battles, as well as the intense performance of his colleague Sato, spurred him to a particularly powerful performance. Kenyu Horiuchi revealed that recordings for all episodes have already been completed.
The original work by Nakamaru and Azuma has been serialized since January 6, 2021, initially in the magazine Young Magazine the 3rd and, after its discontinuation, from May 2021 in the Monthly Young Magazine of publisher Kodansha. So far, 13 collected volumes have been released; volume 14 will follow on August 20, 2026. Further information is available on the anime's official website and the associated official X account.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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