Apothecary Diaries Director Norihiro Naganuma Announces Jurassic Shadows Anime
This marks Naganuma's first full-scale action project and reunites several key staff from The Apothecary Diaries, signaling a major genre pivot for the director and his team.
Key Facts
- Norihiro Naganuma announced Jurassic Shadows at his Anime Expo panel on July 4, 2026.
- The anime is an original work by SANB, combining dinosaurs, ninjas, and a makeup-based power system called Ryugesho.
- The story is set in Tokyo in 2029, where dinosaurs have survived by interbreeding with humans.
- Animation production is handled by Cannon Code, with development and production by Slow Curve and Avex Pictures Inc.
- A manga adaptation by Kodansha is also in development.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, Anime Corner.
Director Norihiro Naganuma, known for The Apothecary Diaries, announced a new original anime titled Jurassic Shadows during his panel at Anime Expo on July 4, 2026. The series combines dinosaurs, ninjas, and a makeup-based power system called Ryugesho. The story is set in Tokyo in 2029, where dinosaurs have secretly survived by interbreeding with humans and now prey on them. A covert order of ninjas uses the special pigment Ryugesho, infused with ancient memories, to awaken dinosaur powers within themselves and fight back. Naganuma is directing the anime at Cannon Code. SANB is credited with the original work. Kenta Ihara (Saga of Tanya the Evil) is writing the screenplay. Yukiko Nakatani (The Apothecary Diaries) is designing the characters based on original designs by Yoichi Amano (Akaboshi -Ibun Suikoden-). Shuhei Mutsuki (Lycoris Recoil) is composing the music. Slow Curve and Avex Pictures Inc. are developing and producing the anime. Additional staff includes color designer Misato Aita, art director Yusuke Takeda, 3DCG director Makoto Honda, and sound director Shoji Hata. A promotional video, concept visual, and screenshots were unveiled. The anime is also getting a manga by Kodansha. No voice cast has been announced.
Naganuma called the project "a beautiful yet dark and fascinating world that combines the themes of memories, dinosaurs, ninjas, and makeup." In a statement, he said the story has "mysteries, truths, and hidden motives swirling beneath the surface."
Character designer Yukiko Nakatani said she expects "everyone will find a character they love." Original character designer Yoichi Amano shared a commemorative illustration and wrote, "Dinosaurs and Ninjas!! A world packed with everything boys dream of! There is no way this won't be exciting!!!"
The anime is Naganuma's first full-scale action project. He is directing at Cannon Code. The production reunites several staff from The Apothecary Diaries: color designer Misato Aita, art director Yusuke Takeda (Bamboo), and sound director Shoji Hata. Takeda previously worked on Chainsaw Man. 3DCG director Makoto Honda previously worked on Gatchaman Crowds.
Kodansha is publishing a manga adaptation. No voice cast has been announced. The staff will share more details at a later date.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.