There was once a young girl in the 13th century slave markets of Iran.
This is the tale of a witch who toyed with a vast continent.
After losing her mother and being torn far from her homeland, Sitara found herself
utterly alone, with no ability to survive on her own, and no hope for the future.
Taken in by a family of scholars, the power of “knowledge” is imparted on her within
the calm of her new life.
Meanwhile, under the reign of Emperor Genghis Khan, the mighty Mongol Empire continues
its unstoppable march, conquering nation after nation and expanding its influence across
the world.
When that boundless ambition finally reaches Sitara’s city, her quiet days come to an
end, and the wheels of fate begin to turn.
Chief Director: Naoko Yamada
Director: Abel Gongora
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kenichi Yoshida
Series Composition: Kanichi Kato
Music: Koshiro Hino
Animation Production: Science SARU
Looks extremely interesting, and a lot of big names attached. Art style reminds me of little Amelie
Ocixo2025-12-27 12:53
Interesting. I did also think to myself that this anime felt a little bit “French” in terms of art style.
Weak_Season_Of_Anime2025-12-27 11:46
Mongolian Apothecary Diaries by Science Saru? I'm in.
PV looks very pretty.
11equalsfish2025-12-27 14:19
Science Saru are always innovating with their more multicultural connections and artistic experimentation. I think they are the real deal as a creative studio, expanding what anime can be, even without Masaaki Yuasa.
Bocchi_theGlock2025-12-27 16:24
What made this possible, are there any differences that enable great production/animation that come off as passion projects?
We hear about about overworked & underpaid animators, especially MAPPA employees - is it a result of the models for business and operations enabling more fair pay & working conditions, better management of people/time/resources, or like more concentrated talent and/or good teams?
I forget which studio is 'made up of talented former ___ employees', tried looking it up, and that seems to apply to many of them. Do they lose the spark and become too big, corporate or rigid at some point?
MAPPA with Madhouse, Madhouse with Mushi Trigger with Gainax, ufotable with Telecom, Production IG to prevent Tasunoko talent leaving, Pierrot with Tasunoko, Bones with Sunrise
fetusnecrophagist2025-12-28 08:01
This is so much better than Apothecary Diaries when it comes to writing and historical accuracy
Successful-Ad-17062025-12-29 07:10
To be fair Apothecary Diaries isn't trying to be accurate. It's a fictional world that takes inspiration from history.
This show got a wonderfully unique art direction. Take the drawing style of these buildings for example.
It almost doesn’t feel like an “anime”.
notanfan2025-12-27 12:35
holy hell this looks like ghibli also anyone that likes this try out breadwinner
Fun-Ad-11452025-12-27 13:12
Not exactly an apt comparison but almost feels like a Cartoon Saloon production at points.
BiggieCheeseLapDog2025-12-27 15:46
It’s personally giving me Little Amelie vibes from the art.
AdNecessary76412025-12-27 11:58
Really great staff working on this. Just hope Saru's loaded schedule doesn't fuck things up.
TermEnvironmental8122025-12-27 11:59
>Naoko Yamada
Alright I'm in
Codtahasabir2025-12-27 12:05
Sitara means Star. Seem to be set in Islamic Golden Age just before the invasion by Genghis Khan.
Edit: The book in the end is about astronomy.
Although, not sure if the knowledge she gained is referring to "divine knowledge" which was a big thing back in those days.
Fun-Ad-11452025-12-27 13:04
>Sitara means Star
It's so crazy how similar some English and Persian cognates are sometimes despite 4 thousand years of relative separation.
duga4042025-12-27 15:37
> but has forbidden it
People doing things banned by their religion has been happening for basically as long as religions have existed.
torpid_flyer2025-12-27 16:54
Jaadugar is a really broad term from the looks of the trailer it seems the protagonist is more like alchemist or a polymath rather than dark magic practitioner.
In india which was a major hub for persian culture from 11th ecntury even roadside tricksters were called jadugar or trick performers.
What was unequivcally condemned was dark magic not general Esoteric stuff.
Womens with unusual skills relating to healing and Alchemy were called jadugar but werent treated as actual witches like in europe and were more connected to the royal house,
Codtahasabir2025-12-27 18:16
Yes, saw it again. The book seem to have the sketch of our solar system/universe. So, could be about astrology.
torpid_flyer2025-12-27 18:35
yep its more about astronomy and medicine.
The character mentioned studying in nishapur which was major hub for medicine
isekai-chad2025-12-27 23:41
The way it's written sounds somewhat Indian(?). At would've sounded more Farsi if it was "Setare" instead, with the having this phonetic sound: \[a\]
shush9162025-12-27 13:41
Could someone explain the difference between chief director, director, and chief animation director?
paperiveitsi2025-12-27 16:40
[deleted]
shush9162025-12-27 17:23
Thank you!
I've seen the term "series director" before as well. Is that the same as chief director?
cosmiczar2025-12-27 18:51
"Series director" is usually just another way of calling the role of the regular main director
HelloYellow182025-12-27 21:16
Calling the director the series director is meant to distinguish the role of the of "kantoku" from "enshuutsu" which are the unit or episode directors. Both Yamada and Abel are series directors even though their responsibilities may be a little different.
cppn022025-12-27 17:47
For people who are familiar with how western TV production works the director is basically the show runner.
BosuW2025-12-27 17:20
Chief director: The one overseeing the overall creative vision
Director: Coordinating different aspects of the production (sound, visual style, compositing, etc)
Chief animation director: In charge of maintaining consistent animation style and quality, leading a team of animation directors to plan, correct, and approve all animation cuts
...I think
Torque-A2025-12-27 14:22
Naoko Yamada - former KyoAni staff member who notably directed K-On, Tamako Market, and A Silent Voice. Now works with Science Saru - previously directed Heike Monogatari with them, and also did some freelance work (most recently the OP/ED of Anne Shirley)
Abel Gongora - Director of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and Dandadan Season 2.
Kanichi Katou - Composed the scripts for The Eminence in Shadow, the latter half of Black Clover, and... Beheneko: The Elf-Girl's Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster?
Kenichi Yoshida - Character designer for Eureka Seven, The Orbital Children, and OVERMAN King Gainer
Koshiro Hino - no prior anime work, but is [the head of the experimental band Goat.](https://www.adfwebmagazine.jp/en/event/chronograffiti-by-koshiro-hino-at-ycam/)
aohige_rd2025-12-27 15:44
> Kenichi Yoshida - Character designer for Eureka Seven, The Orbital Children, and OVERMAN King Gainer
I LOVE his shit. Especially E7 and King Gainer
torpid_flyer2025-12-27 16:55
He was a regular in Ghibli too
JonAndTonic2025-12-27 14:52
Wow this sounds actually substantial and interesting and not just a vessel for fan service like most shit
Queue_Jumping_Quack2025-12-27 19:01
Ah well, this description answer the question I posted in the PV thread. She is a witch in Mongolia in the sense that she's in the Mongolian empire, and the aesthetics are Iranian / Central Asian on purpose.
I had this on my PTW already, but this new promo material just makes me anticipate it even more. Rare for anime to focus on this area of the world during this era of history. I'm excited to see this!
Science Saru sure is building up a rep... Along with Cygames they are the disruptors bringing new energy to challenge the more established studios. Love it.
SA0902025-12-27 11:35
That looks so interesting, added to the to-watch list for sure!
Hot-Ear35222025-12-27 14:08
The setting alone sold me. We rarely get high-budget anime focused on the Mongol Empire or the Silk Road. Giving me major *Otoyomegatari* vibes.
ProductGold2892025-12-27 14:19
[removed]
SA0902025-12-27 14:31
I don’t mind experimental stuff, though I do hope for enjoyment in it all. My latest two watches of theirs were sadly not enjoyable, completed one and dropped the other almost half way through.
Komorebi_LJP2025-12-27 18:10
And those would be? I havent watched Sanda because I was frankly already not interested in its source material, but anyways the source material for this seems to be quite decent, it has been nominated for several awards and ranked 1st on the manga sugoi rankings.
Komorebi_LJP2025-12-27 17:27
Yamada isnt directing. the PV they released list her as the ”chief director" which despite the name is more akin to a sort of overseer/showrunner of the project, but Abel Gongora is the one listed as the director
Worth_Breakfast_47352025-12-27 14:36
[removed]
Muted-Light-11622025-12-27 16:41
honestly
farhanganteng2025-12-27 11:36
Besides Akane-Banashi this is the one that i hoped will get dubbed, i wonder if CR, or maybe Netflix, Disney+/hulu will license and dub this one ?
No-Exit-40222025-12-27 11:37
Looks amazing!
thisisdropd2025-12-27 11:39
Intriguing premise. I’m in!
Animatrix_Mak2025-12-27 11:45
Jaadugar ooo Jaadugar... 🎶
this_is_no_gAM32025-12-27 11:47
Mujhe karle vash mein,
Mujh pe tu kaabu kar
Brave-Camp-9332025-12-27 13:49
Hmm Jaadugar, aisa jaadu kar
Connect_Flan_72172025-12-27 14:13
Tera koi todd nahi hai... 🎶 (Wait, wrong Jaadugar, but the beat dropped in my head automatically).
Few-Reason-85772025-12-27 14:26
Technically it fits! 'Jaadugar' comes from Persian/Urdu for Sorcerer/Magician, which makes sense given the protagonist is Persian in the Mongol court.
Evening-Load26832025-12-27 14:37
[removed]
IXajll2025-12-27 11:47
So the plot sounds really interesting and I‘m sure the writing will be good too. But tbh the artstyle chosen for the characters looks so incredibly bad to me. Like, this one and most likely the other characters across the board look like dwarfs with the weird shapes and proportions chosen for no reason, huge hands and big stumps for feet and all that. It’s certainly unique and it’s great for the people who like it, but I just can’t help disliking this style of character design that‘s used in so many of Science Saru works.
Will still watch ofc and will probably/hopefully get used to the designs, but what a bummer still. At least they got Yamada on board for this, so everything besides the weird designs is bound to be amazing.
Edit: actually after having watched the PV with those few snippets of other characters, it doesn’t even look that bad, so I guess I jumped the gun a bit.
Edit: why everyone so mad though?
KendotsX2025-12-27 11:58
> tbh the artstyle chosen for the characters looks so incredibly bad to me.
It feels somewhat reminiscent of Tezuka's work to me, a charming cartoon-ish artstyle, that can portray a lot more than it lets on.
Comprehensive_Dog6512025-12-27 12:08
That’s it!!! It was on my mind but I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly I felt
butterchalatte2025-12-27 16:36
I agree, the art style definitely reminds me of the classic Buddha manga by Tezuka. The art style might make a modern anime fan feel like this story is going to be light-hearted and cute, but it’s the complete opposite
moichispa2025-12-27 12:17
It is the original manga style. To be fair, I found it a little hard to get used at first while reading the manga but once you get used it is awesome.
The teaser image kinda exaggerate it a little? that's why you like it more on the PV.
biggie_way_smaller2025-12-27 12:26
Well I hope this would get you to bite the bullet and eventually get used to these kinds of art style because quite frankly I like it a lot
qishibe2025-12-27 13:03
Since it doesnt look like hunie pop or gacha, im more inclined to check it out personally
Knuckleheaded-beardo2025-12-27 16:54
Downvoted for what? Having an opinion, a preference?
I'm also not on board for this for the exact same reasons as you. Doesn't mean I won't check it out, Science SARU is enough to get me into this but I'll still voice my dislike for the character styles and designs.
_Ridley2025-12-27 17:14
> why everyone so mad though?
You gotta read the room, man. Walking into an official media thread for an artsy josei series animated by a studio known for its unique style and posting about how disappointed you are that it doesn't have a more conventional style is going to get you yeeted to the bottom of the thread.
abandoned_idol2025-12-27 17:24
Yep.
Reddit encourages hiding and omitting discussions.
I'm not a fan of reddit, but it's the big place where everyone is at.
abandoned_idol2025-12-27 17:21
Even without the PV, I know that weird looking character designs are a heuristic for amazing production values and quality.
It's a bit counterintuitive, but basically, a good artist is familiar enough with correct human anatomy that they KNOW how to break the rules without detracting from the experience.
This knowledge is something you pick up with experience of course.
I also feel the need to point out that I didn't downvote you.
The "bad art" is the only reason I paid any attention to this thread, and I am pretty confident about it after reading what fans have to say about it. "Good writing" > "Peak/Let's Go".
KendotsX2025-12-27 11:55
As one of my favourite manga in recent years, I couldn't be more excited to see it getting such a blessed adaptation.
[](#feelsgoodman)
Dear_Entrepreneur9042025-12-27 11:56
Is this gonna be the sakuga treat of the year?
TheDerped2025-12-27 13:06
Havent read the series so dont know if itll have the crowd pleaser action sakuga but it definitely looks to have peak sakuga of like...everything else. Character acting, good backgrounds, environments etc
AngryMobster2025-12-27 11:58
West/central asian aesthetics like Otoyomegatari? Sign me in.
NotLokey2025-12-27 16:41
oh man I hope A Bride's Story gets an anime one day.
celloh2342025-12-27 16:44
You mean orientalist
Knuckleheaded-beardo2025-12-27 16:49
Orient = east. Occident = west.
zairaner2025-12-27 12:01
Tiny.
Aware_Step_61322025-12-27 12:01
The original work is a manga that has been serialized since 2021 by a manga artist famous for drawing unusual historical-themed manga, and five volumes of the original work have currently been published in Japan.
nominated for 2 [Manga Taishou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_Taish%C5%8D) awards, so you know it's good
Erufailon42025-12-27 12:10
Congratulations to fans of this manga. To say you hit the jackpot would be an understatement. You got NAOKO YAMADA doing her first manga adaptation in ten years since A Silent Voice.
Tolike852025-12-27 12:36
Fan of the manga here. Was very ecstatic to see her name in the director spot
Komorebi_LJP2025-12-27 18:14
She isn't the director though, Gongora is,
paperiveitsi2025-12-27 16:44
[deleted]
Erufailon42025-12-27 17:43
Yeah, I'm not expecting it to be unfiltered Yamada, but given the story I do think her storytelling sensibilities will shine through at least somewhat, and that's already reason to be excited. (Well, in Saru's current state a less hands-on role might be work out better for her anyway. I just hope there was enough pre-production time.) The collaboration with Gongora is an interesting one since they're from such different backgrounds.
UltimateArtist8292025-12-27 12:14
I'm getting big Cartoon Saloon vibe here.
moichispa2025-12-27 12:19
As somebody who read a few volumes of the manga we're for a good ride. Great characters and intriguing plot. It is based on a real story so please don't put spoilers about it.
abilworldwide2025-12-27 12:36
This getting an anime has only given me hope in A Bride's Story getting an adaptation
Mami-kouga2025-12-27 12:50
Just a heads up, this is kind of like Vinland saga where it's based off real history. So it would probably be a good idea to avoid googling anything on the characters particularly the main ones.
abandoned_idol2025-12-27 17:16
I'm waaaaaaay ahead of you.
fetusnecrophagist2025-12-28 08:04
Lol, I was randomly googling the history of Mongolian names once and got spoiled about what happens to one of the major characters in this manga lol
qishibe2025-12-27 13:01
Itlll be cool to hear some throat singing in the ost
Early-Journalist-142025-12-27 13:02
the art certainly sparked my interest, glad to see in the comments that this may be good.
i didn't expect to enjoy the apothecary diaries as much as i did, maybe this will be enjoyable too.
thanks for bringing this to my attention.
alconnow2025-12-27 13:03
Naoko Yamada as chief director for one of my favourite shoujosei series!!!! So excited
kKunoichi2025-12-27 13:06
Teaser looks gorgeous already
Salty1452025-12-27 13:11
> Naoko Yamada
Yeah that tracks. Now I’m all in.
Mysterious_Cup_60242025-12-27 13:15
Unrelated, but Frieren's Hindi dub was so triggering with the vocabulary. Kept trying to use different words for mage(jadugarni), priests and mana and then ultimately deciding to stick with the worst out of place options.
Mutant_Fool2025-12-27 13:34
I was very excited for her next projects after her switch to Science Saru and she is finally doing an adaptation again. Science Saru is one studio, I will always trust with unique projects so I am very excited and hopeful.
JellyfishPatient242025-12-27 13:39
Wow. Looks and sounds interesting.
cppn022025-12-27 14:26
Will watch this either way but curious how the dual directors will pan out and how much of Yamada's touch will be there or if she's taking on soley a supervisory role.
dniellefwr2025-12-27 14:28
as a mongolian this made me so happy lol, on my list already
Distinct_beorno2025-12-27 14:57
This looks absolute peakk
Fun-Memory15232025-12-27 15:15
Wasn't the manga just released like last year? And they are already adapting it?
It's so sudden... but this is amazing!
alconnow2025-12-27 15:26
There’s currently five volumes out in Japan. It started in 2021
fetusnecrophagist2025-12-27 15:22
I'm so happy we're getting more josei anime, with this and Ikoku Nikki/Journal with Witch
duga4042025-12-27 15:35
An anime set in 13th century Central Asia? Wow, as if the 2026 release schedule wasn’t cooking enough already.
No-Channel39172025-12-27 16:06
So nice to see more anime coming stateside that isn't full of the ick of recent years
BeepBoopImADude2025-12-27 16:36
Hmm intersting. My PhD is in Mongolian history, so lemme nerd iut a bit.
Chinggis dies in 1227, and the ulus of Jochi invaded the Iranian plateu for the first time in 1219 (although this was mostly the long raid by Subetai and NOT the proper invasion of the Calphite that led to the founding of the Ilkhanite by Hulegu in 1256 or so) so I'm interested in how this show portrays the ulus of Chinggis and Mongolian culture in general.
Judging by the descriptions its acting like the "empire" was formed at this point, which it really wasn't. By this point the "empire" was the ulus of Chinggis, the ruins of northern China, about a half dozen subservient client kingdoms (that, by this point, had not yet been absorbed fully through the "Mongolian princess marries into kingdom, Chinggis orders new son in law to go die in sone far off shit hole so the Mongolian princess now rules" strategy that was SO effective). It really wasn't until the ascension of Ogedai that centralization took place and really turned conquests into territory.
And nerd nitpick, but Chinggis never took the title of Emporer; that is a Chinese title only adopted after the founding of the Yuan dynasty by Chinggis' grandson. His title was Khagan, or Khan of Khans/Great Khan. Its why during later empire kurultais, they were voting only for the Khagan; the title of Emporer of Yuan was purely tied to the Tolouid branch of the Golden Lineage, and in all honesty the Yuan dynasty was more accurately described as the ulus of Khublai, though by the time of rhe Yuan that phraseology would have fallen out of favour in the far east. Blame the Ilkhanites for stealing the southern chunk of the ulus of Jochi.
I'm excited to see where this goes. I don't expect much historically accuracy; there is almost NO work of art that depicts mongolian history accurately.
Sorry for the bad spelling no coffee this morning yet :(
TakenRedditName2025-12-27 20:50
I'm not properly educated enough to profess for its historical accuracy, but I will say that the original mangaka is very interested in history. It's their main bread and butter. Particularly, they've have an interest in Mongolian history. The manga has been in the planning stage for 10 years. They have other works set in the Caucasus during the Mongol period. The other year, they took a reporting trip to Mongolia.
[](#harukathonk)
Also, just for context about the series, [Source material context:] >!The series is mainly set after Genghis Khan's death and covers the succession between his sons. The main character is Fatima from Tus in Mongol history.!<
BeepBoopImADude2025-12-28 01:23
I love literally every word of that. It's so cool seeing other people with an interet in what is otherwise a pretty neglected and niche part of history. I'm not a manga reader, but I think I'll pick up all thier work in solidarity.
Thanks for the info mate!
butterchalatte2025-12-27 16:44
As a manga reader, I’m so glad that Jaagudar is getting the anime adaptation it deserves. While Tomato Soup’s cute art style is very unassuming, their excellent writing made this one of the best historical political dramas I’ve ever read. The story is brutal, and while the Mongol Empire is a clear antagonist, Tomato Soup never fails to display the complex humanity of each character. I highly recommend checking out the manga!
celloh2342025-12-27 16:44
Orientalist racist slop
Knuckleheaded-beardo2025-12-27 16:57
>Orientalist racist slop
Just like you, Jaadugar is not something I'm looking forward to. But, you better touch some grass maybe before writing what you wrote.
celloh2342025-12-27 17:00
You're the one who needs to go touch grass and actually enagege in the culture of the places this and other similar orientalist media is depicting instead.
torpid_flyer2025-12-27 16:45
Holy shitt
thanks for this adaptation just watched the trailer it looks so fucking beautiful.
My friend was pestering me for months to read this in name of muslim representation and central asian culture.
Guess this will be the thing i will look forward to alongside Bleach
Knuckleheaded-beardo2025-12-27 16:48
What genre is it in?
Mami-kouga2025-12-27 18:16
Historical drama
aamodbk2025-12-27 17:13
Dosho?
DaBluBoi87632025-12-27 17:20
Anyone else getting Cartoon Saloon vibes from this, or is it just me?
HarleyFox922025-12-27 17:40
I'm 200% in
Platinum_Rad2025-12-27 17:54
if it's anything like heike monogatari it'll be great
loved that show
alanbowman2025-12-27 18:06
The manga is really good, and I wasn't expecting an anime adaption. I'm going to be looking forward to this one.
Official English release by Yen Press: [A Witch's Life in Mongol](https://yenpress.com/series/a-witch-s-life-in-mongol).
dagreenman182025-12-27 18:10
It’s Science Saru so I’m instantly sold. Always down for anything they’re cooking. But the fact it’s Naoko Yamada’s newest project since the incredibly underrated Heike Story has extremely excited.
North5142025-12-27 19:36
This my third most anticipated anime next year behind Hathaways Flash and the GITS remake. Really looking forward to it. The art is so unique and refreshing.
shynotgay2025-12-27 20:24
remindme! 7 months
Regnar_the_Samurai2025-12-27 20:40
I just stated reading this series and have enjoyed what I have read so far can wait to see the anime adaptation
Maleficent-Union-2302025-12-27 21:00
Que anime esse?
ForgetfulViking2025-12-27 22:12
Look, if I'm not ever going to get A Bride's Story as an anime, I will be seated for this!
Fun-Use60312025-12-27 22:28
its so badass
Dry-Atmosphere99352025-12-27 22:29
Is it an ongoing show?
LegendaryZXT2025-12-27 22:56
This show seems to be:
«_Orb_ meets _Kusuriya_ set in Mongol Persia directed by Naoko Yamada and Abel Gongora»
Basically a perfect intersection of all my interests
CosmicPenguin_OV1032025-12-27 23:26
[The story's background and SCIENCE SARU were already way beyond enough to pull me into watching this.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1llh2by/comment/mzzsk2t/)
Now you tell me freaking Naoko Yamada and also [someone with a rock solid animation portfolio (including co-directing Dandadan S2)](https://anilist.co/staff/154060/Abel-Gongora) are at the helms???
This just raised it to one of my most looking-forward-to anime for 2026. Wooooooo!!!
isekai-chad2025-12-27 23:35
FYI, the first word in the title means sorcerer/wizard in Farsi.
SirRedtheIII2025-12-28 19:27
Could this possibly pave the way for more Muslim representation in modern anime? The manga has taught me some things I didn't know myself as a Muslim and I was genuinely surprised by how knowledgeable the author is in almost every aspect
Commentaires
There was once a young girl in the 13th century slave markets of Iran.
This is the tale of a witch who toyed with a vast continent.
After losing her mother and being torn far from her homeland, Sitara found herself
utterly alone, with no ability to survive on her own, and no hope for the future.
Taken in by a family of scholars, the power of “knowledge” is imparted on her within
the calm of her new life.
Meanwhile, under the reign of Emperor Genghis Khan, the mighty Mongol Empire continues
its unstoppable march, conquering nation after nation and expanding its influence across
the world.
When that boundless ambition finally reaches Sitara’s city, her quiet days come to an
end, and the wheels of fate begin to turn.
Chief Director: Naoko Yamada
Director: Abel Gongora
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kenichi Yoshida
Series Composition: Kanichi Kato
Music: Koshiro Hino
Animation Production: Science SARU
Teaser PV: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Cx2wYys64](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Cx2wYys64)
[https://anime-jaadugar.com/](https://anime-jaadugar.com/)
PV looks very pretty.
We hear about about overworked & underpaid animators, especially MAPPA employees - is it a result of the models for business and operations enabling more fair pay & working conditions, better management of people/time/resources, or like more concentrated talent and/or good teams?
I forget which studio is 'made up of talented former ___ employees', tried looking it up, and that seems to apply to many of them. Do they lose the spark and become too big, corporate or rigid at some point?
MAPPA with Madhouse, Madhouse with Mushi Trigger with Gainax, ufotable with Telecom, Production IG to prevent Tasunoko talent leaving, Pierrot with Tasunoko, Bones with Sunrise
This show got a wonderfully unique art direction. Take the drawing style of these buildings for example.
It almost doesn’t feel like an “anime”.
Alright I'm in
Edit: The book in the end is about astronomy.
Although, not sure if the knowledge she gained is referring to "divine knowledge" which was a big thing back in those days.
It's so crazy how similar some English and Persian cognates are sometimes despite 4 thousand years of relative separation.
People doing things banned by their religion has been happening for basically as long as religions have existed.
In india which was a major hub for persian culture from 11th ecntury even roadside tricksters were called jadugar or trick performers.
What was unequivcally condemned was dark magic not general Esoteric stuff.
Womens with unusual skills relating to healing and Alchemy were called jadugar but werent treated as actual witches like in europe and were more connected to the royal house,
The character mentioned studying in nishapur which was major hub for medicine
I've seen the term "series director" before as well. Is that the same as chief director?
Director: Coordinating different aspects of the production (sound, visual style, compositing, etc)
Chief animation director: In charge of maintaining consistent animation style and quality, leading a team of animation directors to plan, correct, and approve all animation cuts
...I think
Abel Gongora - Director of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and Dandadan Season 2.
Kanichi Katou - Composed the scripts for The Eminence in Shadow, the latter half of Black Clover, and... Beheneko: The Elf-Girl's Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster?
Kenichi Yoshida - Character designer for Eureka Seven, The Orbital Children, and OVERMAN King Gainer
Koshiro Hino - no prior anime work, but is [the head of the experimental band Goat.](https://www.adfwebmagazine.jp/en/event/chronograffiti-by-koshiro-hino-at-ycam/)
I LOVE his shit. Especially E7 and King Gainer
I had this on my PTW already, but this new promo material just makes me anticipate it even more. Rare for anime to focus on this area of the world during this era of history. I'm excited to see this!
Science Saru sure is building up a rep... Along with Cygames they are the disruptors bringing new energy to challenge the more established studios. Love it.
Mujh pe tu kaabu kar
Will still watch ofc and will probably/hopefully get used to the designs, but what a bummer still. At least they got Yamada on board for this, so everything besides the weird designs is bound to be amazing.
Edit: actually after having watched the PV with those few snippets of other characters, it doesn’t even look that bad, so I guess I jumped the gun a bit.
Edit: why everyone so mad though?
It feels somewhat reminiscent of Tezuka's work to me, a charming cartoon-ish artstyle, that can portray a lot more than it lets on.
The teaser image kinda exaggerate it a little? that's why you like it more on the PV.
I'm also not on board for this for the exact same reasons as you. Doesn't mean I won't check it out, Science SARU is enough to get me into this but I'll still voice my dislike for the character styles and designs.
You gotta read the room, man. Walking into an official media thread for an artsy josei series animated by a studio known for its unique style and posting about how disappointed you are that it doesn't have a more conventional style is going to get you yeeted to the bottom of the thread.
Reddit encourages hiding and omitting discussions.
I'm not a fan of reddit, but it's the big place where everyone is at.
It's a bit counterintuitive, but basically, a good artist is familiar enough with correct human anatomy that they KNOW how to break the rules without detracting from the experience.
This knowledge is something you pick up with experience of course.
I also feel the need to point out that I didn't downvote you.
The "bad art" is the only reason I paid any attention to this thread, and I am pretty confident about it after reading what fans have to say about it. "Good writing" > "Peak/Let's Go".
[](#feelsgoodman)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A\_Witch%27s\_Life\_in\_Mongol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Witch%27s_Life_in_Mongol)
i didn't expect to enjoy the apothecary diaries as much as i did, maybe this will be enjoyable too.
thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Yeah that tracks. Now I’m all in.
It's so sudden... but this is amazing!
Chinggis dies in 1227, and the ulus of Jochi invaded the Iranian plateu for the first time in 1219 (although this was mostly the long raid by Subetai and NOT the proper invasion of the Calphite that led to the founding of the Ilkhanite by Hulegu in 1256 or so) so I'm interested in how this show portrays the ulus of Chinggis and Mongolian culture in general.
Judging by the descriptions its acting like the "empire" was formed at this point, which it really wasn't. By this point the "empire" was the ulus of Chinggis, the ruins of northern China, about a half dozen subservient client kingdoms (that, by this point, had not yet been absorbed fully through the "Mongolian princess marries into kingdom, Chinggis orders new son in law to go die in sone far off shit hole so the Mongolian princess now rules" strategy that was SO effective). It really wasn't until the ascension of Ogedai that centralization took place and really turned conquests into territory.
And nerd nitpick, but Chinggis never took the title of Emporer; that is a Chinese title only adopted after the founding of the Yuan dynasty by Chinggis' grandson. His title was Khagan, or Khan of Khans/Great Khan. Its why during later empire kurultais, they were voting only for the Khagan; the title of Emporer of Yuan was purely tied to the Tolouid branch of the Golden Lineage, and in all honesty the Yuan dynasty was more accurately described as the ulus of Khublai, though by the time of rhe Yuan that phraseology would have fallen out of favour in the far east. Blame the Ilkhanites for stealing the southern chunk of the ulus of Jochi.
I'm excited to see where this goes. I don't expect much historically accuracy; there is almost NO work of art that depicts mongolian history accurately.
Sorry for the bad spelling no coffee this morning yet :(
[](#harukathonk)
Also, just for context about the series, [Source material context:] >!The series is mainly set after Genghis Khan's death and covers the succession between his sons. The main character is Fatima from Tus in Mongol history.!<
Thanks for the info mate!
Just like you, Jaadugar is not something I'm looking forward to. But, you better touch some grass maybe before writing what you wrote.
thanks for this adaptation just watched the trailer it looks so fucking beautiful.
My friend was pestering me for months to read this in name of muslim representation and central asian culture.
Guess this will be the thing i will look forward to alongside Bleach
loved that show
Official English release by Yen Press: [A Witch's Life in Mongol](https://yenpress.com/series/a-witch-s-life-in-mongol).
«_Orb_ meets _Kusuriya_ set in Mongol Persia directed by Naoko Yamada and Abel Gongora»
Basically a perfect intersection of all my interests
Now you tell me freaking Naoko Yamada and also [someone with a rock solid animation portfolio (including co-directing Dandadan S2)](https://anilist.co/staff/154060/Abel-Gongora) are at the helms???
This just raised it to one of my most looking-forward-to anime for 2026. Wooooooo!!!