Rie Kugimiya is active in 2026 with a new browser game role reprising Shana and a cast role in CloverWorks' original omnibus film Grotesqqque, while her fanbase continues to rank Taiga Aisaka as her most iconic character.
Rie Kugimiya's 2026 activity spans three projects covered by Yomimono. In May, a Nijimen reader survey for her birthday ranked her most iconic characters for the second straight year. Taiga Aisaka from Toradora! took first place with 408 votes. The only new role to crack the top 10 was Shaldina Inferiscias, a spring 2026 role.
In June, CloverWorks announced the cast for its original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque. Kugimiya is one of 14 cast members, alongside Kana Ichinose, Maaya Uchida, and four members of Nogizaka46. The film is directed by Atsushi Nishigori and will open in 2026. It comprises three stories with different worldviews.
Also in June, CTW Inc. released a gameplay video for Shakugan no Shana: Blaze Edge, a free-to-play browser game based on the Shakugan no Shana light novel series. The video features new voice lines for Shana, voiced by Kugimiya. The game supports Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean languages.
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The Gacha Girls Corps anime announced two new cast members on Sunday. Ai Kayano plays Shisuha Alvy, a UR-ranked priestess healer who often goes berserk in battle. Rie Kugimiya plays Luna Varedas, a UR-ranked vampire who is secretly a shut-in. The anime is set to debut in January 2027.
Rie Kugimiya has joined the cast of the third season of the anime adaptation of Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa's manga 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You. The official website announced the casting on Monday, revealing that Kugimiya plays Yaku Yakuzen, the grandmother of character Kusuri and the newest girlfriend of protagonist Rentaro Aijo. Yaku debuted in the season's eighth episode, which aired on Sunday. The season, which premiered on Tokyo MX on July 5, is directed by Hikaru Sato at Bibury Animation Studio, with scripts by Takashi Aoshima and character designs by Akane Yano. Other new cast members this season include Kaori Ishihara as Chiyo Iin, Ayana Taketatsu as Nadi, Hana Tamegai as Yamame Yasashiki, and Aoi Koga as Momiji Momi. The opening theme, 'Daisuki♡Zutto Eien ni♡' (I Love You♡Always and Forever♡), is performed by the Rentaro Family. The season is also airing on Sun TV and BS11, and is streaming on Crunchyroll. Seven Seas Entertainment releases the manga in English.
Onkyo announced collaboration ANC wireless earbuds for the 20th anniversary of the anime The Familiar of Zero. The CP-TWS01F model includes 16 newly recorded voice lines by Louise, voiced by Rie Kugimiya, and features Qualcomm aptX Adaptive support, noise canceling, and IPX4 water resistance. Orders open August 6, 2026.
Ashi Productions announced on July 22 that it will release "Magical Princess Minky Momo: To the Dream of Longing: Duet of Sincerity," a completely new OVA and the first animated entry in the Minky Momo series in 32 years. The project commemorates the studio's 50th anniversary. A teaser trailer and key visual were released alongside the main cast. Kurumi Yoki voices the protagonist Momo/Minky Momo. Fukushi Ochiai plays the dog Dettabook, Natsumi Fujiwara plays the monkey Chamocha, and Rie Kugimiya plays the bird Pipirupi. The trailer opens with the incantation "Prirura prirura dejirinpa, doririmu doririmu dejipappa" and shows the land of dreams and hope called Dejinasa. The story follows Momo, who awakens as Minky Momo on her 12th birthday and collects dream energy to save Dejinasa from a crisis caused by humans losing hope. The key visual carries the catchphrase "Having dreams is wonderful," inheriting the theme of past series. The OVA is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a script by Deko Akao and character designs by Hiroshi Watanabe and Mari Tominaga. It will screen in theaters nationwide starting November 13 at Shinjuku Wald 9 and other venues. Advance tickets with a limited flake sticker sheet bonus go on sale July 24.
CTW Inc. revealed a gameplay video for Shakugan no Shana: Blaze Edge, a free-to-play browser game based on the Shakugan no Shana light novel series. The video features new voice lines for Shana, voiced by Rie Kugimiya. The game will support Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean languages.
CloverWorks revealed the cast and characters for its original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque on Saturday. The 14-person cast includes Kana Ichinose, Maaya Uchida, Rie Kugimiya, and four members of Nogizaka46. The film, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, will open in 2026 and comprises three stories with different worldviews.
A Nijimen reader survey for Rie Kugimiya's birthday ranks her most iconic characters. Taiga Aisaka from Toradora! takes first place for the second straight year with 408 votes, while a spring 2026 role, Shaldina Inferiscias, enters the top 10.