The world of cooking battles is about to heat up again. Shinji Saijyo’s cult-classic manga Iron Wok Jan! (Tetsunabe no Jan!) , which originally ran in the 1990s, is finally getting its first television anime adaptation. The announcement came as a surprise to many, confirming that the series will premiere on TV Tokyo and other networks in 2026 .
The project brings together director Ei Aoki, known for his work on Fate/Zero and Aldnoah.Zero, and animation studio TROYCA, the team behind Aldnoah.Zero, Overtake!, and ATRI. For fans of the original manga, this marks the first time the intense culinary clashes of protagonist Jan Akiyama will be seen in animated form .
What Is Iron Wok Jan About? A Culinary Rivalry Like No Other
For those unfamiliar with the series, Iron Wok Jan is not your typical cooking story. The manga debuted in 1995 in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shลnen Champion and ran until 2000, collecting 27 volumes. It later received sequel manga, including Iron Wok Jan! R: Chลjล Sakusen and Iron Wok Jan!! 2nd, with the franchise selling over 10 million copies worldwide .
The story centers on Jan Akiyama, a brilliant but arrogant young chef who works at the top-tier Chinese restaurant Gobancho. Jan’s philosophy is simple: “Cooking is a battle.” He believes in using any means necessary to defeat his opponents in the kitchen. His rival is Kiriko Gobanchล, the granddaughter of the restaurant’s owner. Kiriko follows a completely different beliefโthat food should be made with the customer’s heart in mind, not just for competition .
What made the manga stand out during its run was its extreme approach to cooking battles. Jan would go to shocking lengths to win, including using tactics that pushed the boundaries of sportsmanship and culinary ethics. The series became known for its intense drama, detailed explanations of Chinese cuisine techniques, and characters who were anything but ordinary .
Main Cast Revealed: Who Voices Jan and Kiriko?
Following the initial announcement in December 2025, the production team revealed the main cast members in February 2026. The voice actors bring a mix of fresh talent and experienced performers to the table .
Kikunosuke Toya takes on the role of Jan Akiyama. Toya previously gained attention for his lead role as Denji in the massively popular Chainsaw Man anime. His energetic and intense performance style fits Jan’s aggressive personality perfectly .
Ikumi Hasegawa voices Kiriko Gobanchล. Hasegawa is known for her role as Ikuyo Kita in Bocchi the Rock!, where she played the energetic and cheerful guitarist. Her ability to switch between warmth and determination makes her a strong choice for Kiriko .
Kohei Amasaki plays Takao Okonogi, Jan’s only real friend and understanding ally at the Gobancho restaurant. Amasaki is recognized for his work as Saburo Yamada in the Hypnosis Mic franchise .
The series also features Kensho Ono in a key role, adding further depth to the supporting cast .
Director Ei Aoki Explains Why Now Is the Right Time
During the announcement event, director Ei Aoki shared his thoughts on why Iron Wok Jan is being adapted after three decades. He addressed the obvious question head-on, making it clear this is not just another nostalgia project .
“Why Iron Wok Jan now? Some might think, ‘Ah, it’s one of those Showa-era reboot anime, right?’ But that’s not it! Because Iron Wok Jan! is being animated for the first time! It’s an incredibly interesting work, a lone masterpiece that somehow no one ever adapted. Now, 30 years after its serialization, you could say the era has finally caught up with it!”
Aoki also encouraged new viewers to check out the original manga while waiting for the anime’s release. He mentioned approaching the project both as a director and as a fan who followed the series during its original run .
Behind the Scenes: Serious Culinary Supervision
One of the most interesting aspects of this adaptation is the attention being paid to the food itself. The production team has brought in real culinary experts to ensure the dishes shown in the anime are accurate and believable .
Takako Sato, a coordinator in the Chinese cuisine world, handles culinary supervision and coordination. She worked with the late Keiko Oyama, who supervised the original manga, to maintain authenticity. Sato reached out to professional Chinese chefs who were fans of the manga during their youth to help recreate the dishes seen in the story .
Naoya Higuchi, a food science researcher, serves as the cooking science supervisor. He ensures that the techniques and chemical reactions shown in the anime make sense from a scientific perspective .
“The original Iron Wok Jan included French culinary techniques and incorporated Japanese ingredients into Chinese dishes. You can feel the energy of the Chinese cuisine world in the 90s. I’m surprised by the foresight of including cooking science descriptions even back then, which is one reason this work hasn’t faded even now,” Higuchi commented .
Teaser Visual and Promotional Video Create Buzz
To build excitement for the 2026 release, the team released a special teaser visual drawn by Shinji Saijyo himself, along with a “super teaser” promotional video. The teaser PV featured the voices of the main characters, though the cast names were initially kept secret as part of a “Who is this voice?” campaign on social media .
The teaser visual shows Jan with a confident smirk surrounded by intense flames, capturing his fierce determination. The PV also included a disclaimer that the anime may contain extreme depictions “respecting the social conditions and expressions of the time when the original was published,” acknowledging that some content might push boundaries even today .
The campaign proved successful, with the teaser PV gaining over 6 million views on the official X (formerly Twitter) account. Fans who correctly guessed the cast members had a chance to win scripts signed by the voice actors .
The Legacy of Iron Wok Jan
For longtime manga readers, Iron Wok Jan holds a special place in the cooking battle genre. It arrived during the golden age of food manga, alongside titles like Cooking Master Boy and Yakitate!! Japan. What set it apart was its unapologetically competitive protagonist who often played the role of anti-hero rather than typical good guy .
The series was partially released in English by ComicsOne (later DrMaster) in the early 2000s, with 13 volumes translated. While it never achieved the mainstream popularity in the West that it did in Japan, it developed a dedicated cult following among cooking manga enthusiasts .
The Chinese Wikipedia page for the series notes that the manga was known for its detailed explanations of Chinese cooking techniques, complete with footnotes about ingredients and methods. This educational aspect, combined with the dramatic battles, created a unique reading experience .
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Streaming and Broadcast Information for Global Audiences
The Iron Wok Jan anime is scheduled to premiere in 2026 on TV Tokyo and affiliated networks in Japan. For international viewers, streaming details have not been finalized yet, but given the involvement of major production companies, the series is expected to be available on global platforms shortly after its Japanese broadcast .
Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India should keep an eye on major anime streaming services like Crunchyroll, Netflix, or Hulu for licensing announcements as the premiere date approaches.
The original manga is currently available in digital format, with volumes 1 through 13 released on various e-book platforms, allowing new fans to catch up before the anime debuts .
With a dream team of staff and cast, serious attention to culinary detail, and a story that broke mold in the 90s, the Iron Wok Jan anime is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated cooking series of 2026.
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