TV Anime Adaptation of ‘The Fake Alchemist’ Announced

Kadokawa has officially announced a television anime adaptation of the fantasy manga The Fake Alchemist, with animation studio Passione on board to produce the series.

The news arrived on Thursday alongside a commemorative trailer and teaser visual, marking the next major step for the popular isekai title, which has sold over 1 million copies in Japan.

From Indie Novel to Anime

The manga, written by Jiro Sugiura and illustrated by Umemaru, originally began as an indie web novel that became a ‘legendary sensation.’ Described as a ‘new monumental isekai,’ the series has surpassed 1 million copies in its commercial edition in Japan.

It launched on Kadokawa’s KadoComi website in June 2023 and has since been collected into five print volumes, the latest released on February 20. Yen Press publishes the English version in print; volume 1 is currently available, and volume 2 is scheduled for release on June 23, 2026.

Kadokawa also releases the series digitally in English.

Storywriter Jiro Sugiura expressed his surprise at the adaptation: ‘I am surprised, thinking to myself, “To think the day would come when The Fake Alchemist becomes an anime…” This is entirely thanks to everyone who has supported us. Thank you very much! I would be happy if you enjoy it.’

Artist Umemaru also shared a message: ‘The anime adaptation of The Fake Alchemist has been announced! Thank you very much! I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sugiura-sensei, everyone who has been involved with the work, and the readers who have supported us.

As the person in charge of the manga art, I am very happy that this beloved work I have been involved with will have new life breathed into it by the hands of the wonderful staff.

As a fan of The Fake Alchemist, I am looking forward to the day when I can enjoy the anime together with everyone.’

Story and Production Details

Set in the city-state of Orichalconia, where alchemy and magic are deeply rooted in the lives of the people, the reincarnated Paracelsus ekes out a living as an alchemist while hiding his ‘cheat skills.’ His life changes dramatically one day after he enters into a contract with a shaman slave-girl named Nora, and later meets Coco, an elf who has lost all four limbs and five senses.

To save Coco, what began as a rescue attempt in a small workshop gradually escalates into a battle involving alchemy and sorcery, space and even the gods themselves. Kadokawa describes the story as ‘filled to the brim with everything fantasy,’ calling it a new monumental isekai.

Passione, the studio behind Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou and Interspecies Reviewers, is handling animation production. In celebration of the announcement, both Sugiura and Umemaru contributed special illustrations of the character Nora.

The teaser visual and trailer offer a first look at the series’ fantasy world. No premiere date or casting details have been revealed yet.

The Fake Alchemist continues to grow from its origins as an indie web novel into a multimedia franchise with a hit manga and now an upcoming anime. Fans can expect further information from Kadokawa and Passione in the coming months.