Anime "Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" World Premiere Screening Report! Cast Members Including Akira Sekine and Jun Saitō Extol its Visual Beauty

The "World Premiere Screening" of the anime "Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" was held on June 13 at United Cinemas Aqua City Odaiba.

Attending the event were Akira Sekine (voicing Shitara), Ami Koshimizu (voicing Töregene), Jun Saitō (voicing Muhammad), Hiro Shimono (voicing Ögedei), and Ryōta Suzuki (voicing Tolui). In addition to the world premiere screening of episodes 1 through 3, they discussed the appeal of the work, behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the recording studio, and highlights to look forward to.

"Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" is a historical manga by Tomatosoup, currently serialized in Akita Shoten's "Souffle." Set in the 13th-century Mongol Empire, this historical court drama depicts Shitara, a young girl trying to survive using her "intellect" as a weapon amid a harsh fate, and Töregene, a consort harboring a deep resentment against the empire. Bound by a bond of revenge, they defy their destinies.

The manga has garnered significant attention and won numerous awards, including claiming the No. 1 spot in the Female Category of Takarajimasha's "Kono Manga ga Sukoi! 2023" (This Manga Is Amazing! 2023), ranking in the "Manga Taisho" for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, and winning the Grand Prize in the Comic Division at the 55th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards. The animation is produced by Science SARU, a studio highly acclaimed worldwide for its overwhelming quality in works such as "DANDADAN," "The Heike Story," and "Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!"

Episodes 1–3 World Premiere Screening! Cast Moved by the Finished Visuals!

At this event, episodes 1 through 3 were screened for the first time globally, ahead of the broadcast. Following the screening, Sekine, Koshimizu, Saitō, Shimono, and Suzuki took the stage to roaring applause.

When asked about her impressions after watching episodes 1 through 3, Sekine expressed her confidence, saying, "The recording studio was so filled with passion from the entire cast and staff to make this work the best it could be, that my heart was overflowing with emotion when I saw the finished footage. Realistic descriptions are scattered throughout the cute, stylized art, which is why it feels so raw and heartbreaking. I was simply deeply moved."

Koshimizu praised the unique and high level of perfection, saying, "It's drawn with a touch like a picture book, soft and warm. But precisely because of that warmth, it allows us to accept the serious developments that follow. That unique balance is incredible." Shimono was also amazed by the visual beauty, revealing his enthusiasm: "The visuals were so staggering that I felt we had to give it our all to keep up with the quality of the art." He expressed his expectations for the series while touching upon Science SARU's visual expression and the grand scale of the story.