The 2026 anime film slate begins on a quieter, more introspective note with Kusunoki no Bannin (The Keeper of the Camphor Tree), which opened in Japanese theaters on January 30, 2026. Adapted from a novel by Keigo Higashino, the film leans into human drama with a touch of the supernatural rather than spectacle. Produced by A-1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studio, the movie centers on people carrying regrets, unfinished conversations, and emotional baggage — all drawn to a shrine and its unusual camphor tree.
What is Kusunoki no Bannin About?
The story opens with Reito Naoi at a low point. Recently fired under unfair circumstances, he lashes out and attempts to steal from his former workplace. The plan fails, and he ends up in police custody.
Then comes an unexpected lifeline. A lawyer offers to arrange his release on one condition: he must obey a client’s request. With little room to negotiate, Reito agrees.
The client is his aunt, Senshu Yanagisawa. Her request is oddly simple — he must guard a camphor tree at a shrine.
What sounds like a punishment slowly turns into something else. The tree is tied to local lore, and people visit it for personal reasons, often during difficult moments in their lives. As Reito takes on the role of caretaker, he begins observing these visitors and their stories. The job forces him to slow down, listen, and reconsider his own direction.
The film doesn’t rush toward big twists. It unfolds through small, human encounters that gradually shift Reito’s outlook.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Film
Director and Production Team
The film is directed by Tomohiko Itō, whose work on Hello World showed a talent for intimate, emotional storytelling. His approach here is restrained, letting conversations and atmosphere carry weight.
Screenwriter Taku Kishimoto (ERASED) adapts Higashino’s novel with a focus on character moments rather than heavy exposition.
A-1 Pictures handles production alongside Psyde Kick Studio. The animation isn’t flashy for the sake of it — it aims for mood and texture, especially in shrine scenes and quiet city backdrops.
Visual Design
Character designs come from Tsubasa Yamaguchi and Ayako Itagaki. The designs favor natural expressions and subtle emotion. Nothing feels exaggerated; the realism suits a story grounded in everyday feelings.
The shrine setting, seasonal light, and the physical presence of the camphor tree are given careful attention. The environments do a lot of storytelling on their own.
Musical Score
Music by Yugo Kanno (Pluto) supports the tone without overpowering scenes. The score often sits quietly in the background, surfacing at key emotional beats.
Voice Cast: Bringing Characters to Life
The cast blends younger actors with veterans, fitting for a story about generational ties.
Main Cast
Reito Naoi — Fumiya Takahashi
Takahashi plays Reito with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. His performance works best in quieter scenes where the character listens more than he speaks.
Chifune Yanagisawa — Yuuki Amami
A steady, composed presence that contrasts Reito’s uncertainty.
Supporting Cast
Masakazu Yanagisawa — Takehito Koyasu
Koyasu brings authority and warmth in equal measure.
Katsushige Yanagisawa — Miou Tanaka
Adds dimension to the family dynamic.
Touichirou Ooba — Akira Kamiya
A veteran voice that carries instant gravitas.
Toshiaki Saji (Takao Oosawa), Souki Ooba (Ryuubi Miyase), and Yuumi Saji (Asuka Saitou) round out a cast focused on naturalistic delivery.
Source Material: Keigo Higashino’s Fantasy Departure
Higashino is widely known for logic-driven mysteries, but this story steps away from puzzles and crime. Instead, it focuses on emotional questions: regret, family ties, and mortality.
Published by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha in 2020, the novel later expanded into multiple volumes. The premise — a tree connected to people’s final wishes and reflections — gives Higashino room to explore human psychology from a softer angle.
Release Date and Runtime
-
January 30, 2026 (Japan)
-
1 hour 53 minutes
The film will initially release exclusively in Japanese theaters through Aniplex, one of Japan’s premier anime distributors. For viewers in Japan, the film will be available at major cinema chains nationwide beginning January 30, 2026.
Where to Watch
Theatrical Release
Released nationwide in Japan through Aniplex.
International Release
No official overseas rollout yet.
Streaming Prospects
Likely to appear on major anime platforms later, though nothing is confirmed.
Production Details at a Glance
Type: Anime Film
Episodes: 1 (Feature Film)
Status: Finished
Airing (as of premiere date) Premiere Date: January 30, 2026
Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutes
Producers: Aniplex Studios: A-1 Pictures, Psyde Kick Studio Source
Material: Novel by Keigo Higashino
Director: Tomohiko Itou
Screenplay: Taku Kishimoto
Character Design: Tsubasa Yamaguchi, Ayako Itagaki
Music: Yuugo Kanno Theme Song: “Katawara nite Tsukiyo” by Uru (written and produced by back number)
Courtesy: Crunchyroll
