The psychological thriller Liar Game has finally arrived as a TV anime. Based on Shinobu Kaitani’s famous manga, the show pits honest people against master manipulators in high-stakes battles of the mind. The first episode debuted on April 6, 2026 . The series is produced by Studio Madhouse, the same studio behind Death Note and One-Punch Man .
Complete Episode Release Schedule for 2026
The show has 24 episodes total . It will run for two consecutive cours (broadcast seasons) without breaks. New episodes come out every Monday. Here is the full schedule:
April 2026
- Episode 1: April 6, 2026
- Episode 2: April 13, 2026
- Episode 3: April 20, 2026
- Episode 4: April 27, 2026
May 2026
- Episode 5: May 4, 2026
- Episode 6: May 11, 2026
- Episode 7: May 18, 2026
- Episode 8: May 25, 2026
June 2026
- Episode 9: June 1, 2026
- Episode 10: June 8, 2026
- Episode 11: June 15, 2026
- Episode 12: June 22, 2026
- Episode 13: June 29, 2026
July 2026
- Episode 14: July 6, 2026
- Episode 15: July 13, 2026
- Episode 16: July 20, 2026
- Episode 17: July 27, 2026
August 2026
- Episode 18: August 3, 2026
- Episode 19: August 10, 2026
- Episode 20: August 17, 2026
- Episode 21: August 24, 2026
- Episode 22: August 31, 2026
September 2026
- Episode 23: September 7, 2026
- Episode 24: September 14, 2026
Each episode runs for about 24 minutes . The anime will adapt the complete story from the original manga, which ran from 2005 to 2015.
Release Times for Different Regions
New episodes drop on Mondays at 9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT . For viewers around the world, here is when you can watch:
- USA (Pacific): Monday, 9:00 AM
- USA (Eastern): Monday, 12:00 PM
- Canada: Monday, 12:00 PM (Eastern)
- UK: Monday, 5:00 PM BST
- Europe (Central): Monday, 6:00 PM CEST
- India: Monday, 9:30 PM IST
- Australia (Eastern): Tuesday, 2:00 AM AEST
- Japan (Local TV): Tuesday, 12:00 AM JST
Where to Watch ‘Liar Game’ Anime
Crunchyroll is the main streaming home for the series worldwide . The platform offers the show with subtitles in many languages. Russian viewers can watch on AMEDIATEKA .
The show also airs on TV Tokyo in Japan every Monday at 24:00 (which is effectively Tuesday at 12:00 AM) . A special world premiere screening of the first two episodes happened at Sakura-Con in Seattle on April 5, 2026 .
What Is ‘Liar Game’ About?
Nao Kanzaki is a very honest college student. One day, she receives a package containing 100 million yen (about US$1 million) and a card. The card says she has been chosen to take part in the “Liar Game.” The rules are simple but cruel. Players must trick each other out of their money. The winner gets 100 million yen. The loser ends up with a debt of 100 million yen.
Nao’s first opponent is her former teacher, Kazuo Fujisawa. She trusts him and asks for his help. But he tricks her and takes her money. Desperate, Nao looks for help. She finds Shinichi Akiyama, a genius con artist who just got out of prison. Akiyama agrees to help her. Together, they enter the deadly game of lies.
The show is a psychological thriller. It asks a simple question: Can you survive without lying when everyone around you is trying to cheat you? The story shows the worst and best sides of human nature when money and survival are on the line.
Main Characters
Nao Kanzaki (voiced by Erika Toda in live-action, new voice cast for anime) – She is the main character. Nao is foolishly honest. She believes all people have value. Her trusting nature makes her easy to trick. But it also becomes her greatest weapon. People trust her easily because she never lies.
Shinichi Akiyama (voiced by Shota Matsuda in live-action, new voice cast for anime) – He is a genius con artist with a degree in criminal psychology. Akiyama’s mother was swindled by a company. She took her own life to save him from debt. He became a con man to take down that company. After going to jail, he is released and agrees to help Nao. He is calm, smart, and always thinks ten steps ahead.
Yokoya (antagonist) – He comes from a wealthy family. Yokoya is obsessed with domination and control. He carries white mice in his pockets and likes to dress like a dictator. He uses his money to bribe other players into becoming his followers. He becomes Akiyama’s biggest rival.
Fukunaga – A skilled manipulator who works with Nao and Akiyama. She is very good at acting and can change her personality to trick others.
The Games in the Series
The Liar Game tournament has many rounds. Each round has a different game with unique rules:
Round 1: One-on-one contest. Players try to trick each other out of 100 million yen.
Minority Vote Game: A group of players vote on a question. The minority wins and gets the money. This game tests how well players can predict what others will do.
Restructuring Game: A revival round where losing players get a second chance.
Smuggling Game: Players must lie about what they are carrying. This game introduces Yokoya as the main villain.
Final Game: The last round where all secrets of the Liar Game organization are revealed.
The Real Meaning of ‘Liar Game’
The show is not just about winning money. It is about trust, betrayal, and human nature. Nao believes that if everyone works together, they can all win without lying. Akiyama believes that trust is foolish but uses it as his weapon. The show asks: Is it possible to be completely honest when your life is at stake?
The original manga ran for 201 chapters. The anime will likely adapt all of them. The story does not have much romance. The focus is on the battle of minds between Akiyama and his enemies. But the connection between Nao and Akiyama grows stronger as the series goes on.
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Background: From Manga to Anime
Liar Game started as a manga in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump magazine in February 2005 . It ended in January 2015 . Before the anime, the story was adapted into two live-action Japanese TV dramas (2007 and 2009). There were also two movies: Liar Game: The Final Stage (2010) and Liar Game: Reborn (2012). A South Korean remake aired in 2014.
The 2026 anime is the first full animated version of the series. Fans have waited over a decade for this adaptation. Studio Madhouse is known for high-quality psychological thrillers. The director is Yuzo Sato, with Asami Kawano as the series director.
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