A human soul reborn as a fragile dragon egg in a savage fantasy wilderness will claw its way to the small screen when the television anime Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling premieres in January 2026. Produced by GA-CREW and Felix Film, the adaptation of Nekoko’s long-running light novel series brings together a powerhouse staff and cast to animate a tale of survival, evolution, and unyielding ambition.
Chief director Yūta Takamura (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, Chihayafuru) leads the project, with Nobuyoshi Arai (Banana Fish, Vinland Saga, Yuri!!! on Ice) as assistant director. Series composition falls to Tatsuhiko Urahata (Hi Score Girl, Haganai, Baki Hanma), while Masahito Onoda handles character designs. Kō Ōtani (Shakugan no Shana, Dahlia in Bloom) composes the score at IMAGINE, with Tsuyoshi Takahashi directing sound and Hiroyasu Oda designing monsters.
The core voice cast features Shunichi Toki as the reincarnated protagonist Illusia, Ami Koshimizu as the Voice of God, and Miku Ito as Milia. Opening theme Gliding Claw is performed by Sizuk, while virtual singers TAO and SAK deliver the ending Sky Clipper.
Two key visuals have been released: the first shows the lone egg glowing amid a predator-filled forest; the second depicts Illusia’s evolved form poised for battle against ancient ruins. HIDIVE will stream the series worldwide, with an early North American screening at Anime Frontier in Fort Worth, Texas, December 12–14, 2025.
What is Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling about?
The series originated as a web novel titled Tensei Shitara Doragon no Tamago Datta: Saikyō N以外 Mezasanee by Nekoko, serialized on Shōsetsuka ni Narō starting August 20, 2015. Illustrated by Naji Yanagida, it blends fantasy isekai with survival RPG elements, emphasizing gradual power growth over instant dominance. Earth Star Entertainment published the first 12 light novel volumes under Earth Star Novel from December 15, 2015, to May 15, 2020; Square Enix’s SQEX Novel imprint took over in January 2021, reaching volume 16 by June 7, 2022.
A manga adaptation by Rio began on Comic Earth Star in September 2017 and has eight tankōbon volumes as of January 2025.
Seven Seas Entertainment, the English publisher of Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling, provides the official description of the series:
Our hero wakes up one day in a brand new world…but his new life doesn’t come with fighting skills or magic powers, or even arms and legs! He’s reborn as a helpless egg, stuck in an unfamiliar forest surrounded by terrifying, hungry beasts. But eggs hatch, hatchlings grow up, and humble beginnings can lead to something great. He’ll do his best to become the strongest dragon ever, and no measly shell will get in his way!
Source: Official anime website of Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling
