The first-ever animated film adaptation of a novel by Keigo Higashino, Kusunoki no Bannin (The Keeper of the Camphor Tree), is set to hit theaters in 2026. The film will be directed by Sword Art Online’s Tomohiko Ito and produced by A-1 Pictures.
(C) Keigo Higashino/Anime “Kusunoki no Bannin” Production Committee
A stunning teaser visual featuring a majestic camphor tree has been revealed, along with the exciting announcement that Keigo Higashino’s novel Kusunoki no Bannin (The Keeper of the Camphor Tree) will be adapted into an animated film set for release in 2026. While many of Higashino’s works have been brought to life through live-action films, this marks the very first time one will be adapted into animation. The film will be directed by Sword Art Online’s Tomohiko Ito, with animation production by A-1 Pictures—the acclaimed studio behind Lycoris Recoil
Original book image
Since its release in 2020, the original novel has sold over one million copies. The story centers around a mysterious camphor tree said to grant wishes to those who pray to it—and a young man who becomes its unexpected guardian. Reito Naoi, a man who loses his job after being unfairly dismissed and is later arrested due to a mistake, finds himself at rock bottom. At the request of a mysterious client, he becomes the guardian of the sacred tree and gradually begins to reconnect with life as he meets visitors who come to the tree, each carrying their own hopes and burdens.
In 2021, the second installment in what has become known as the “Camphor Tree” series, titled The Goddess of the Camphor Tree, was released. A new teaser visual featuring the iconic camphor tree has also been unveiled, offering a first glimpse into the world of the upcoming film.
(C) Keigo Higashino/Anime “Kusunoki no Bannin” Production Committee
Comments from the Creator and Director
Keigo Higashino (Original Author)
“Every writer has their own approach to storytelling, but for me, it always begins with an image in my mind that I then try to put into words. That image is usually tied to a real place, and the characters are often inspired by real people. The Keeper of the Camphor Tree was born the same way—but it required more imagination than usual, especially because of the supernatural elements. While writing, I often thought it would be difficult to adapt into a live-action film. That’s when I began to dream of seeing it as an animated work. Now that dream is becoming a reality, and I’m truly grateful. I believe the final result will go far beyond anything I imagined, and I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Tomohiko Ito (Director)
“In recent years, I’ve found myself thinking deeply about how nothing lasts forever—people disappear, and life constantly changes. Human beings are fragile, and passing down our genes is just one instinctive way to preserve a part of ourselves. Now that I’m over 40, I’ve started to understand the emotions not just of those who leave something behind, but also of those who are left behind. And what we pass on isn’t limited to DNA—it includes skills, values, and the essence of who we are.
Through this film, I want to express my gratitude to everything and everyone that has shaped who I am today—not just my family, but all the people I’ve crossed paths with, even if only briefly. I hope to convey these feelings to the next generation through this work.”
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