The new Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia anime was another clear highlight of Anime Expo 2025 weekend earlier this month. During the panel, Science SARU CEO Masanori Fujita and TV Asahi producer Kazuki Endo took to the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories and insight into the production of the anime, including a field research trip to Mongolia, before the anime premieres in 2026.
The Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Anime Expo 2025 panel opened with a screening of the special teaser PV, followed by an introduction to the story’s historical setting, characters, and themes.
Producer Endo said, “There are many stories about Genghis Khan, but few focus on the generation that followed—his sons. This story shines a light on that crucial yet often overlooked chapter of world history.”
Fujita also commented on the three reasons why Science SARU decided to take on the project: “First, the original manga by Tomato Soup was so fresh and unique that everyone at our studio felt drawn to it. Second, we were convinced that adapting it into an anime would be a bold and meaningful new challenge for Science SARU. And finally, the passionate encouragement from Producer Endo at TV Asahi—who said, ‘Let’s bring this story to life together’—made it all possible.”
Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Anime Expo 2025 Panel Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The second half of the panel turned to the production team’s research trip to
Mongolia. Endo recounted visiting nomadic homes (gers), exploring traditional horse
culture, and learning about local cuisine and clothing. Fujita also shared behind-the-scenes photos from their travels.
Fujita said, “It gave the directors a real sense of the world Sitara (Fatima) would have seen. They then brought that experience home and wove it into the script.”
A new super teaser visual was also revealed, and Fujita commented on the reveal: “It’s a simple design, but we believe it captures the essence of the story. There’s one symbolic detail in particular—the main character’s name ‘Sitara’ means ‘star,’ and the shooting star at the center of the visual reflects that meaning.”
Near the end of the panel, Endo hinted that more updates will come in December 2025. Endo said, “We’re planning to release new information around December this year, so please look forward to it.”
Fujita ended the panel with a heartfelt message from the team: “Everyone at Science SARU is pouring their hearts into this project. We’re feeling more confident each day. I can’t wait for you all to see it—please look forward to the next announcement.”
Endo added, “Thanks to Science SARU’s incredible creativity, we’re creating a truly beautiful anime. We haven’t announced everything yet, but we have some amazing creators involved. Stay tuned for more information.”
The panel concluded with warm applause from the audience.
