The upcoming television anime adaptation of Tadatoshi Fujimaki’s manga Kill Blue has officially set its release date. The series will begin broadcasting on April 11, 2026, via TV Tokyo and its affiliates . Along with the premiere date, the production team released two new promotional videos that reveal the show’s complete theme song lineup, featuring major K-pop acts aespa and RIIZE .
K-Pop Stars Join the Anime
South Korean girl group aespa performs the opening theme song titled “ATTITUDE” . The track was released on global music platforms on March 6, 2026, and carries a message about protecting one’s identity and refusing to let anyone break one’s spirit . The song’s rising beat and addictive melody aim to match the stylish action and fast-paced world of the main character, Juzo Ogami .
South Korean boy band RIIZE performs the ending theme song “KILL SHOT” . This marks RIIZE’s first time contributing a theme song for a television anime . Both groups are currently active in the music scene, with aespa preparing for their first Japan dome tour in April 2025, which includes performances at Kyocera Dome Osaka and Tokyo Dome .
Production Team and Cast
Hiro Kaburagi directs the anime at Studio CUE. Kaburagi is known for his work on Great Pretender, Kimi ni Todoke, and My Little Monster . Miho Daidลji handles character design, bringing experience from the Kuroko’s Basketball anime series where she served as animation director for all three seasons and the Last Game film .
This project marks the first television series for Studio CUE as the main animation production studio. The studio was established in 2023 by internet service and game developer DMM, with former Production I.G executive officer Rui Kuroki serving as president and CEO .
The voice cast features:
- Yuko Sanpei as young Juzo Ogami
- Fuka Izumi as Noren Mitsuoka
- Shuichiro Umeda as Kotatsu Nekota
- Takeo Otsuka as Tenma Tendo
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Chisato Shiraishi
- Yumi Uchiyama as Eri Wanibuchi
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as adult Juzo Ogami
- Shoya Chiba as Kazuma Rindo
- Yoshiki Nakajima as Eiji Rindo
Story Overview
Kill Blue follows Juzo Ogami, a legendary 39-year-old hitman who has never failed an assignment. After wiping out a powerful organization, a mysterious wasp stings him. He wakes up transformed into a 13-year-old boy. His boss gives him a new order: infiltrate a middle school in that body. The story follows his unexpected school life with colorful classmates, youthful chaos, and the constant threat of assassins closing in on him .
Manga Background and Availability
Tadatoshi Fujimaki launched the Kill Blue manga in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in April 2023 and ended it on September 1, 2025 . The 13th and final compiled book volume shipped on December 4, 2025 .
Viz Media publishes the manga digitally and in print in English. The fifth volume was released on February 3, 2026, with the sixth volume scheduled for April 7, 2026 . MANGA Plus also offers the manga digitally .
Fujimaki is best known as the creator of Kuroko’s Basketball, which inspired multiple television anime series, films, and stage plays.
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Additional Cast Members Announced
In late February 2026, the production announced two more cast members. Shoya Chiba voices Kazuma Rindo, and Yoshiki Nakajima voices Eiji Rindo. The characters are described as deadly assassin brothers entering the battle .
A novel adaptation titled Kill Ao Secret Report by Kiyoko Hoshi shipped on December 4, 2025, alongside the final manga volume .
The new promotional videos and key visual showcase the anime’s animation style and give viewers a preview of how the action and comedy elements will blend in the final product. Fans of the manga and newcomers to the series will get their first full look at the adaptation when it airs in April.
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