The wait is almost over for fans of the beloved light novel series Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods. The upcoming anime adaptation has received its second promotional video, confirming that the show will begin broadcasting in Japan on April 4, 2026. Along with the release date announcement, the new trailer has introduced four additional cast members joining the series .
The fantasy slice-of-life story, originally written by Enju and illustrated by ox, first appeared on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in 2021 before being acquired for official publication by ASCII Media Works later that same year. The series has since gained a dedicated following, with Yen Press publishing the English translations for international readers .
When and Where to Watch Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods
The Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods anime will premiere in Japan on the NUMAnimation programming block on TV Asahi. The broadcast is technically scheduled for April 5 at 1:30 a.m. JST (effectively late night on April 4). The series will also air on BS Asahi starting April 6 at 2:00 a.m. JST, and will be available across a total of 24 channels throughout Japan .
For international audiences, streaming details are still being finalized. The anime is produced by studio JUVENAGE, and fans in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other global regions should keep an eye on major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, or Hulu for potential licensing announcements as the April premiere date approaches.
Complete Cast and Character Guide
The newly released second trailer has expanded the voice cast significantly. The latest additions to the roster include some well-known names in the anime voice acting industry :
- Tōru Ōkawa as Reiki
- Show Hayami as Kirin
- Kōji Yusa as Ōryū
- Hiroki Takahashi as Hōō
These four join previously announced main cast members :
- Shōgo Sakata as Minato Kusunoki – the protagonist who finds himself caring for a house that attracts various gods
- Shinshū Fuji as Yamagami – the mountain god who becomes one of the residents
- Minako Kotobuki as Torika
- Shinnosuke Tokudome as Seri
- Makoto Koichi as Utsugi
- Yūichirō Umehara as Saiga Harima – an onmyoji who discovers the power of Minato’s talismans
- Yoshiki Nakajima as Fūjin – the god of wind
- Daiki Kobayashi as Raijin – the god of thunder
The casting brings together a mix of experienced voice actors, with many fans expressing excitement particularly about Yūichirō Umehara and Show Hayami joining the project.
Behind the Scenes: Production Team and Music
The anime adaptation is being handled by studio JUVENAGE, with a experienced production team at the helm :
- Director: Sekijuu Sekino, known for his work on Dorohedoro and Goblin Slayer II
- Assistant Director: Ryo Yamauchi, who worked on Vinland Saga
- Series Composition: Yuji Kobayashi, familiar to fans from Sailor Moon Crystal
- Character Designers: Yuko Inoue (Inazuma Eleven, Dark Gathering) and Chikako Noma
- Music Composer: R・O・N, who has worked on FLCL Alternative and Ninja Kamui
The opening theme song, “Odoroki no Ko” (Child of Surprise) , will be performed by voice actor Miyu Irino. This marks Irino’s first anime theme song in his music career. The song was written and composed by Yuki Ozaki from the rock band Galileo Galilei .
A new ending theme has also been revealed. Japanese rock band JYOCHO will perform “Utamahi” for the series .
Story and Source Material
Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods tells the story of Minato Kusunoki, a young man sent to live in and care for a relative’s old house in the countryside. The house is supposedly overflowing with evil spirits, but Minato discovers he has an extraordinary ability – his pristine handwriting can clear out malevolent beings. After accidentally exorcising the spirits in the house, Minato finds that various gods are drawn to the purified residence, and they begin moving into his garden .
Yen Press, which publishes the English version of the light novels, describes the series as a peaceful slice-of-life story where Minato spends his days relaxing in the company of his spiritual neighbors. The gods include Yamagami (a wolf-like mountain god), a sake-loving turtle god, and various other divine beings who each have their own personalities and preferences .
The original light novel series has been running since 2021, with 11 volumes released in Japan as of November 2025. A 12th volume is scheduled for publication on April 17, 2026 in Japan, just weeks after the anime premiere . The manga adaptation, illustrated by Akira Anzai, has also released multiple compiled volumes and continues to be serialized on Kadokawa’s ComicWalker website .
Upcoming Events and Promotions
Fans won’t have to wait until April to get more content. A special livestream program featuring members of the main cast is scheduled for March 14, 2026 on the official KADOKAWA Anime YouTube channel .
Additionally, the cast will appear at a live stage event at the KADOKAWA booth during AnimeJapan 2026, which takes place at Tokyo Big Sight on March 29. The four cast members participating in the March 14 special program are expected to take the stage at this event .
A third promotional video was released in mid-March 2026, giving fans another look at the animation and previewing both the opening and ending theme songs.
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What Makes This Anime Unique
Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods falls into the iyashikei (healing) genre, similar to popular series like Natsume’s Book of Friends. The focus is on slow-paced, gentle storytelling rather than high-stakes drama or action. The series explores Minato’s daily life as he interacts with the various gods who have made his home their own, learning about their preferences for different foods and drinks while forming genuine connections with these supernatural beings.
The gods themselves are characterized by their distinct personalities. Yamagami prefers traditional wagashi with smooth bean paste, his marten-like children enjoy Western-style sweets with butter, and the turtle god has a fondness for sake. These small details create a warm, inviting atmosphere that fans of calming anime will likely appreciate.
With the April 4 premiere date now confirmed and a full cast announced, Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods is shaping up to be one of the standout slice-of-life fantasy anime of the Spring 2026 season.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest updates on Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods and other upcoming anime releases as the April premiere approaches.
