Bandai Namco Filmworks unveiled on October 1, 2025, that Yu Chiba’s action-packed manga Kindergarten WARS will leap from the pages of Shonen Jump+ to the small screen as a television anime. The announcement was accompanied by a commemorative illustration shared by Chiba, celebrating the milestone for the action-comedy series. The anime will feature Atsumi Tanezaki as Rita, the fierce protagonist, and Kentarō Kumagai as Doug, bringing the quirky and thrilling world of the manga to life.
The television anime adaptation is being produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks, a studio known for its work on various anime projects. While further details about the production staff, release date, or additional cast members have yet to be revealed, the casting of Atsumi Tanezaki and Kentarō Kumagai has already generated anticipation for how the dynamic characters of Kindergarten WARS will be portrayed.
What is Kindergarten WARS about?
Kindergarten WARS, created by Yu Chiba, first debuted in September 2022 on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ app and website. The manga quickly gained traction for its unique blend of high-stakes action and humor, centered around a kindergarten that serves as a battleground for assassins. Shueisha’s MANGA Plus platform publishes the series digitally in English, while Yen Press released the first physical volume in April 2025. The manga has achieved significant popularity, with over 1.7 million copies in circulation as of its 15th compiled volume, published on August 4, 2025.
Yen Press describes the story of Kindergarten WARS as follows:
Rita is Convict 999, a former legendary assassin who now works at a kindergarten for the children of world leaders. Her job is to protect the schoolchildren from the clutches of would-be assassins sent after them! But even with her overwhelming strength, Rita has a weakness—she's head-over-heels for good-looking men!
Comic Natalie
The manga itself entered its final arc in March 2025, signaling that the story is nearing its conclusion. Additionally, Yu Chiba launched a spinoff manga titled Yōchien Wars -LUKE- (Kindergarten WARS -LUKE-) in November 2024. This 180-page story focuses on the character Luke, expanding the universe of the series and offering fans a deeper look into its supporting cast.
Sources: Press Release, Comic Natalie
