35 Years of Long-Awaited Adaptation! Classic Isekai Shojo Manga Kanata Kara (From Afar) TV Anime Premieres This October, Original Author Fully Supervises For Fans’ Dream Come True

On July 14, 2026, the official team unveiled the full broadcast schedule, production crew, main voice cast, teaser visual and teaser PV for the TV anime adaptation of legendary shojo fantasy manga Kanata Kara (From Afar). Launched as a 35th-anniversary commemorative project for the original manga, the animation is produced by veteran studio Studio DEEN with full creative supervision from original mangaka Kyoko Hikawa. The series will debut on TOKYO MX on October 4, followed by ABC TV and WOWOW, bringing the decades-long beloved tale of destined love and isekai adventure to screen for millions of long-time fans.

1. About The Original Manga: A Groundbreaking Isekai Masterpiece With 35 Years Of Fan Sentiment

Serialized in Hakusensha’s monthly magazine LaLa from 1991 to 2002 for 12 years, Kanata Kara spans 14 tankobon volumes with over 4 million copies sold worldwide. It won the prestigious Seiun Award for science fiction works, widely recognized as a foundational milestone of isekai fantasy shojo manga. The story follows high school girl Noriki Neko (Tang Qianru in Taiwan localization), who is transported to a mysterious parallel world after an explosion. Attacked by ferocious beasts upon arrival, she is saved by lonely wandering warrior Izark. Bound together by an ancient world prophecy, the pair evade pursuit from multiple factions while confronting global destruction and rebirth, forging a fated love amid their desperate escape. For more than two decades since the manga concluded, fans across the globe have continuously petitioned for an anime adaptation. Warm, heartfelt yet grand in epic scale, the series holds an irreplaceable place in shojo fandom, described by long-time readers as the white moonlight of their youth. This 35th anniversary adaptation is hailed by fans as a dream project 20 years in the making.

2. Full Production & Broadcast Lineup, Authentic Restoration Under Original Author’s Supervision

Core Creative Team

• Original Work & Full Supervision: Kyoko Hikawa (Oversees scripts, character designs and plot adjustments to preserve the manga’s original tone)
• Director: Noriyuki Abe (Famous for The Heroic Legend of Arslan, excels at grand worldbuilding and delicate character emotion portrayal)
• Series Composition: Rika Takasugi
• Character Design: Eiji Anbiko
• Music: Hamutakeshi (Cosmic Wave)
• Animation Production: Studio DEEN, a studio with decades of experience adapting classic shojo and fantasy titles

Official Broadcast Schedule

• TOKYO MX: Every Sunday at 24:00 starting October 4
• ABC Television: Every Saturday at 26:30 starting October 10
• WOWOW: Every Tuesday at 24:00 starting October 13 (All episodes available for free viewing with no paywall)

Four Lead Voice Actors Announced

1. Noriki Neko – Voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa Tomoyo shared she was deeply comforted by Neko’s bright, resilient personality during auditions, aiming to fully capture the girl’s pure, healing spirit that touched generations of readers.
2. Izark Kia Tarj – Voiced Kentaro Kumagai He will portray the quiet, tender warrior burdened by cruel fate, focusing on the redemptive bond shared between the two leads.
3. Ratchev – Voiced Yuichiro Umehara A complex scheming antagonist filled with ambition and inner conflict; the actor looks forward to showcasing the layered, human darkness of the character.
4. Keimos Lee Goda – Voiced Eiji Takeuchi An arrogant, power-obsessed warrior standing as the primary obstacle to Neko and Izark, driving intense action confrontations throughout the story.

3. What This Adaptation Means To Global Fans

1. Fulfilling A 20-Year-Long Wish Kyoko Hikawa revealed she has received countless fan letters requesting an anime adaptation ever since the manga ended. This anniversary project honors decades of fan passion, with the original creator holding full creative control to avoid unfaithful alterations, perfectly closing the youth memory loop for all long-term readers.
2. Reviving A Golden-Age Classic For New Generations Modern isekai anime mostly lean into combat power fantasies, while Kanata Karastands out with soft epic storytelling and tender emotional depth. Veteran fans get to relive the touching moments of their adolescence, and new audiences can experience a landmark work from the 90s golden era of shojo manga, passing the timeless IP down across age groups.
3. Fan-Focused Gratitude Campaigns Official social media launched a retweet giveaway for signed teaser posters autographed by Tomoyo Kurosawa and Kentaro Kumagai. WOWOW’s free full-series broadcast lowers the barrier for all viewers, delivering multi-layered fan rewards including exclusive art giveaways and zero-cost streaming to thank decades of loyal supporters.

Creative Quotes

Kyoko Hikawa (Original Manga Artist)

For twenty years after serialization ended, I’ve received constant messages from fans hoping for an anime. I’m glad this day has finally come. I hope both readers who followed the story years ago and brand-new audiences will cherish Neko and Izark’s journey.

Noriyuki Abe (Director)

Swept up by an enormous invisible fate vortex, Izark and Neko fight tooth and nail to protect their bond and love. Their desperate devotion still feels fresh in today’s world, and I aim to fully capture their pure, redemptive resolve.

Tomoyo Kurosawa (Voice of Noriki Neko)

Reading the original manga healed me with Neko’s straightforward warmth. I want to fully embody this girl’s gentle soul, performing this story carrying all fans’ heartfelt feelings.

© Kyoko Hikawa / Hakusensha / Kanata Kara Production Committee