Kazuki Kitamura to star in reboot of 'Neko Samurai' series

Actor Kazuki Kitamura will star in the new series ‘Neko Samurai -Beginning-’, a reboot of the popular period drama that follows the heartwarming relationship between a fearsome samurai, Kyutaro Madarame, and a white cat named Tamanojo.

The new series is set in a parallel world and is scheduled to begin broadcasting on BS Asahi on January 4, 2027, with a special episode airing on TV Asahi in late December 2026. Kitamura, who also helped develop the project, is involved in the planning and scriptwriting processes. He stated his goal is to create a gentle, family-friendly work that grandfathers can watch together with their grandchildren.

The cast includes Toa Shimazaki as the young swordsman Sojiro Kamiya, alongside Mayu Miyamoto, Tomoya Maeno, Banko, and Katsumi Takahashi. The feline lead, Tamanojo, will be played by a white cat named Kinta.