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Yoshimura Kana’s manga “Murciélago” is being adapted into a TV anime set to premiere in 2027, with HIDIVE announcing exclusive streaming rights for the U.S., Canada and several other markets.
The adaptation was unveiled
at Anime Expo 2026.
Serialized in Square Enix’s Young Gangan since August 2013, “Murciélago” has sold more than 2.3 million copies worldwide and runs 28 volumes in Japan, with 26 volumes released internationally.
HIDIVE, the anime streaming service from AMC Global Media, will carry the series exclusively for subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, along with the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
The story centers on Kuroko Koumori, a former death-row inmate recruited under an unusual legal arrangement to work as an executioner for the state, and her partner Hinako Tozakura, an unassuming young woman with exceptional driving skills. Together the pair take on threats hidden within society.
Naoya Takashi, whose credits include “Am I Actually the Strongest?” and “Tales of Wedding Rings,” is chief director on the project, while Asami Matsuo, known for “I’m the Villainess, but I’m Being Doted on by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom” and “Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table,” is directing. Satelight, the studio behind “Drops of God” and “PSYREN,” and Staple Entertainment, which produced “Tales of Wedding Rings” and “Watari-kun’s ****** Is About to Collapse,” are jointly handling animation.
Tateishi Sei is designing the characters, with Akita Masanori and Tsuchiya Yuichi composing the score.
Alongside the announcement, producers released a teaser, a key visual and a commemorative illustration, plus messages from Yoshimura and the two directors.
“Ever since I chose the profession of manga artist, having one of my works adapted into an anime has been one of my greatest dreams,” Yoshimura said. Yoshimura thanked readers and collaborators for helping bring the project to life and encouraged fans to keep following both the manga and the anime.
“This was my first time participating in a project in the capacity of chief director, so while respecting the authority of the director, I took on responsibilities where I could best contribute, namely series composition, scriptwriting, and storyboarding,” Takashi said.
Takashi named Manjūbito, Hinako, Urara and Momoyama among his favorite characters in the series. “But… in the end, Kuroko really is the best – she’s cool, charmingly mischievous, and even a great cook. She’s wonderful.” Takashi said.
“We are currently right in the middle of voice recording, and the performances of Kuroko and Hinako are so engaging that they often surpass what we had envisioned in the visuals,” Matsuo added. “On the visual side, with the support of our many talented animators, we are striving to capture the stylish crime-action spirit of the original work, while pushing the erotic and grotesque elements right up to the limits of broadcast standards.”
“Murciélago” marks the second collaboration between Takashi and Matsuo and their two studios following the recent “Übel Blatt” adaptation.
