Yoshimura Kana‘s manga “Murciélago” is being adapted right into a TV anime set to premiere in 2027, with HIDIVE announcing exclusive streaming rights for the U.S., Canada and several other other markets.
The variation was unveiled at Anime Expo 2026.
Serialized in Square Enix’s Young Gangan since August 2013, “Murciélago” has sold greater than 2.3 million copies worldwide and runs 28 volumes in Japan, with 26 volumes released internationally.
HIDIVE, the anime streaming service from AMC Global Media, will carry the series exclusively for subscribers within the U.S. and Canada, together with the U.K., Ireland, Australia and Latest Zealand.
The story centers on Kuroko Koumori, a former death-row inmate recruited under an unusual legal arrangement to work as an executioner for the state, and her partner Hinako Tozakura, an unassuming young woman with exceptional driving skills. Together the pair tackle threats hidden inside society.
Naoya Takashi, whose credits include “Am I Actually the Strongest?” and “Tales of Wedding Rings,” is chief director on the project, while Asami Matsuo, known for “I’m the Villainess, but I’m Being Doted on by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom” and “Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table,” is directing. Satelight, the studio behind “Drops of God” and “PSYREN,” and Staple Entertainment, which produced “Tales of Wedding Rings” and “Watari-kun’s ****** Is About to Collapse,” are jointly handling animation.
Tateishi Sei is designing the characters, with Akita Masanori and Tsuchiya Yuichi composing the rating.
Alongside the announcement, producers released a teaser, a key visual and a commemorative illustration, plus messages from Yoshimura and the 2 directors.
“Ever since I selected the career of manga artist, having considered one of my works adapted into an anime has been considered one of my best dreams,” Yoshimura said. Yoshimura thanked readers and collaborators for helping bring the project to life and encouraged fans to maintain following each the manga and the anime.
“This was my first time participating in a project within the capability of chief director, so while respecting the authority of the director, I took on responsibilities where I could best contribute, namely series composition, scriptwriting, and storyboarding,” Takashi said.
Takashi named Manjūbito, Hinako, Urara and Momoyama amongst his favorite characters within the series. “But… in the long run, Kuroko really is the very best – she’s cool, charmingly mischievous, and even an incredible cook. She’s wonderful.” Takashi said.
“We’re currently right in the course of voice recording, and the performances of Kuroko and Hinako are so engaging that they often surpass what we had envisioned within the visuals,” Matsuo added. “On the visual side, with the support of our many talented animators, we’re striving to capture the fashionable crime-action spirit of the unique work, while pushing the erotic and grotesque elements right as much as the boundaries of broadcast standards.”
“Murciélago” marks the second collaboration between Takashi and Matsuo and their two studios following the recent “Übel Blatt” adaptation.