Super teaser visual
(C) Tsujitsugu Yuichiro/Shogakukan/”Snowball Earth” Production Committee
It has been decided that Tsujitsugu Yuichiro’s sci-fi adventure manga “Snowball Earth” will be made into a TV anime in 2026 and broadcast on the Nippon Television Network. In addition, the main staff and super teaser visuals, as well as comments and illustrations from the original author Tsujitsugu, have been released. In addition, celebrities from various fields have made comments in celebration of the decision to make it into an anime.
An illustration by the original author, Yuichiro Tsujitsuji, commemorating the anime adaptation
(C) Yuichiro Tsujitsuji/Shogakukan/”Snowball Earth” Production Committee
The original work, which has been serialized in “Monthly! Spirits” (published by Shogakukan) since 2021, is a popular work with a total circulation of over 670,000 copies. A shy boy, Yabusame Tetsuo, and his only friend, a giant robot named Yukio, face a final battle against a galactic monster that will put the survival of humanity at stake. Ten years later, when Tetsuo returns to Earth, he finds himself on an unknown land covered in snow and ice called “Snowball Earth.”
The director will be Sakai Munehisa of “Zombie Land Saga,” with Iwata Takeshi of “THE iDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS 2nd season” (director) as assistant director, Murakoshi Shigeru of “Zombie Land Saga” as series composition, and Kono Toshiya of “It’s Princess’ Torture Time” as character designer and chief animation director. Animation will be handled by Studio KAI of “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 3.”
The super teaser visual is a new drawing by Kono, who is in charge of character design. In a close-up of Tetsuo’s eyes, the world of “Snowball Earth” is reflected, with buildings buried in snow and silhouettes of monsters towering above.
The full text of comments from the staff, original author, and celebrities regarding the decision to make the anime is as follows. ONE, Yuki Masami, Nakashima Kazuki, Fujita Kazuhiro, and Shibata Yokusaru are also among those who contributed comments to the cover of the original manga.
[Yuuhiro Tsujitsuji (original author)]
(C) Tsujitsugu Yuichiro / Shogakukan / “Snowball Earth” Production Committee
Director Sakai, Assistant Director Iwata, and everyone else involved… they are the people who have created and released the anime that I have been so engrossed in watching. The anime “Snowball Earth” is now being born in the hands of so many professionals. It has been handled with such passion and care that I am honored and grateful every day, both as someone who has entrusted the manga to them and as a fan! I look forward to the day when I can watch the adventures of Tetsuo and Yukio together with all the readers and new viewers!
[Director: Sakai Munehisa]
(C) Tsujitsugu Yuhiro / Shogakukan / “Snowball Earth” Production Committee
I like stories that get moving. People who take action even in the midst of despair. Fate that starts moving. I think the reason “Snowball Earth” is so exciting is because the characters who take action and fight like that are so cool. The main character, Yabusame Tetsuo, also starts to break out of his shell, and a passionate story begins to move. Please look forward to it!
[Assistant Director: Iwata Takeshi]
(C) Tsujitsugu Yuichiro / Shogakukan / “Snowball Earth” Production Committee
Facing people is not easy after all. Every time this story begins to move, the production team becomes more and more passionate. I have been moved many times by the people who forge ahead even in harsh environments. “Snowball Earth” has become a very important work to me. Please take a look.
[Series Composition: Murakoshi Shigeru]
(C) Tsujitsugu Yuichiro / Shogakukan / “Snowball Earth” Production Committee
When I first read it, I was shocked and thought, “There was a work on this scale…!” With regards to the character design, I aimed to express the emotions and strength of the characters living in the extreme world of a snow-covered Earth. Snowball Earth is full of such characters! Look forward to it!
[ONE (original author of “Mob Psycho 100” and “One Punch Man”)]
(C) Tsujitsuji Yuhiro / Shogakukan / “Snowball Earth” Production Committee
A harsh survival, a cliff-edge battle, and even a human warmth. The story unfolds in the extreme cold and heat, and you’re curious to see what happens next…
Studio KAI brings the chilling sci-fi manga to life
“Snowball Earth” is a unique blend of hard science fiction and survival drama, set in a world trapped in a global ice age. With Studio KAI at the helm—known for its crisp animation and serious tone—the upcoming TV anime promises to capture both the visual beauty and the emotional intensity of Yomoyama Daisuke’s original work. Given the manga’s themes of isolation, humanity’s resilience, and the mystery of Earth’s frozen fate, this adaptation could become one of 2026’s standout sci-fi anime. Fans of thought-provoking post-apocalyptic stories should definitely keep an eye on this one.
Comment