Hikui Tori Ushu Boro Tobi Gumi Anime Airs Jan 2024

Key Visual

“Hikui Tori: Ushu Boro Tobi Gumi,” a TV anime adaptation of Naoki Prize-winning author Shogo Imamura’s historical novel, is scheduled to begin airing in January 2026. Yuichiro Umehara will play the protagonist, Gengo Matsunaga, and Shuichiro Umeda, Subaru Kimura, Nobunaga Shimazaki, and Kensho Ono will also appear. A key visual has also been released.

The original work, published by Shodensha in 2017, marked Imamura’s debut as an author. In 2021, the “Ushu Boro Tobi Gumi” series won the 6th Yoshikawa Eiji Bunko Prize. Based on the great fire of Meiwa that occurred in 1772, the film depicts the story of Matsunaga Gengo, a fire-fighting samurai who was once said to be the best in Edo, and the group of friends who gathered around him, who, despite being criticized as the “rag-tag group of carpenters,” saved the people of Edo who were suffering from fires.

Gengo Matsunaga (voiced by Yuichiro Umehara)

Umehara plays Matsunaga, a former firefighter samurai known as the “fire-eating bird.” He retired from the fire brigade for various reasons, but accepted an offer to serve the Shinjo Domain and, as its leader, rebuilt the domain’s collapsed fire brigade. Umeda plays Torigoe Shinnosuke, a playful and cheerful character with a supernatural memory, never forgetting anything he sees. Kimura plays Tora-san, a kind-hearted former sumo wrestler with unparalleled strength. Shimazaki plays Hikoya, a popular acrobat in Edo who boasts incredible jumping ability. Ono plays Kaji Seijuro, a knowledgeable professional astronomer. The five of them form a fire-fighting group called “Boro Tobi-gumi” and begin to chase after a mysterious series of suspicious fires known as “fox fires” that are plaguing the people of Edo

Shinnosuke Torigoe (voiced by Shuichiro Umeda)

Torajiro (Tora-san) / Voiced by: Subaru Kimura

Hikoya (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki)

Seijuro Kaji (voiced by Kensho Ono)

The key visual depicts the courageous members of the “Boro Tobi Gumi” team braving the fire.

Full comments from the cast are below:

[Umehara Yuichiro (role of Matsunaga Gengo)]

I think Matsunaga Gengo is a character who will captivate viewers as he resumes his career as a firefighter despite the anguish of his past. He’s usually cool, but it was a lot of fun to play him as he warms up when it comes to helping others. I felt that the passionate story of him gathering friends and following the path he believes in was perfect for animation. It’s also rare for a story to be based on a historical novel, so I was very inspired by the dialogue and other aspects. I hope that the animation will be easy to watch while incorporating the essence of a historical drama. I will do my best to act in a way that will be enjoyable for both fans of the original work and those who are encountering it through the anime.

[Umeda Shuichiro (role of Torigoe Shinnosuke)]

My name is Umeda Shuichiro, and I will be playing the role of Torigoe Shinnosuke. I believe that heroes are portrayed in various ways depending on the era, but “Hikui Tori” is the story of the “firemen” who fight a great fire in Edo and protect lives. Although Shinnosuke is still inexperienced as a fireman, he is a lively young man who works hard next to Gengo and is a kind of mood maker (?). Please look forward to his scenes in action! Thank you very much!

[Kimura Subaru (role of Tora-san)]

I’m fired up. Because he’s kinder than anyone, he can become stronger than anyone. I’ll do my best to portray Tora-san like that, so I hope you’ll watch! Look forward to it!

[Shimazaki Nobunaga (role of Hikoya)]

First of all, when I read the original novel, I thought, “This is interesting!” That’s why I feel some pressure, but more than that, I can’t help but look forward to being involved in the production and facing and walking alongside Hikoya. He’s truly a very refined character. I will settle down and do my best to play the “handsome man who puts his head on fire.” I look forward to your continued support.

[Ono Kensho (role of Kaji Seijuro)]

I’m Ono Kensho, and I’ll be playing Kaji Seijuro. I personally love the Edo period and historical stories, so I remember being very excited when I was offered the role. I’m sure it will be a thrilling story about people of that time, without modern technology, risking their lives to protect others from fires, so I hope to act with passion while thinking back to that time. However, Seijuro’s first appearance will probably be quite detached and unrelated to passion, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he grows from here on out, and how he changes as a result of his interactions and encounters with people.