The Fake Alchemist TV Anime Adaptation Announced, Studio Passione to Produce
The adaptation marks a rare transition for a series that began as an indie web novel and achieved commercial success, a path that Kadokawa is betting on with a full TV production from a known studio.
Reporting from 3 sources: Anime News Network, Anime Corner, OtakuKart Anime.
Kadokawa announced on Thursday that Jirō Sugiura and Umemaru's manga The Fake Alchemist will receive a television anime adaptation produced by Studio Passione. The announcement included a commemorative trailer, a teaser visual, and special illustrations of the character Nora drawn by both Sugiura and Umemaru. The manga, which began as an indie web novel, has sold over 1 million copies in Japan in its commercial edition. Sugiura expressed surprise at the adaptation, thanking supporters, while Umemaru said he looks forward to seeing the story animated. The story follows Paracelsus, a reincarnated alchemist hiding his cheat skills in the city-state of Orichalconia, who contracts with a shaman slave-girl named Nora and later meets an elf named Coco who has lost all four limbs and five senses. The manga launched on Kadokawa's KadoComi website in June 2023 and is ongoing, with the fifth compiled volume released on February 20. Yen Press publishes the manga in print, with volume two scheduled for June 23.
Passione, the studio behind Mieruko-chan and Higurashi: When They Cry - SOTSU, is producing the series. Kadokawa describes the story as a "monumental isekai" that began as an indie web novel and grew into a commercial hit. The official synopsis says the rescue attempt in a small workshop "gradually escalates into a battle involving alchemy and sorcery, space and even the gods themselves."
Storywriter Jirō Sugiura said in a statement: "I am surprised, thinking to myself, 'To think the day would come when The Fake Alchemist becomes an anime...' This is entirely thanks to everyone who has supported us. Thank you very much! I would be happy if you enjoy it." Artist Umemaru said: "As a fan of The Fake Alchemist, I am looking forward to the day when I can enjoy the anime together with everyone."
Sugiura also created My Wife Has No Emotion, which launched in Kadokawa's Comic Flapper magazine in 2019. That manga has been on hiatus since November 2024. Its television anime adaptation premiered in July 2024.
Yen Press publishes The Fake Alchemist manga in print. Volume 1 is available now. Volume 2 is scheduled for release on June 23.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.