Kagewani (Japanese: 影鰐, lit. “Shadow Crocodile”) is a Japanese horror‑anime television series produced by Studio Tomovies. The series consists of short episodes that focus on scientist Sōsuke Banba’s investigations into mysterious, unidentified creatures referred to as “UMAs” (Unidentified Mysterious Animals).
Production
- Director: Tomoya Takashima
- Writer: Hiromu Kumamoto
- Producer: Kentarō Iwakiri
- Original network: Tokyo MX and BS11, aired as part of the Ultra Super Anime Time programming block
- Original run (Season 1): 2 October 2015 – 25 December 2015 (13 episodes)
- Season 2 – “Kagewani: Shō”: 1 April 2016 – 24 June 2016 (13 episodes)
- International streaming: Simulcast by Crunchyroll for English‑language territories
Premise
The narrative follows Banba, a genetic scientist, as he confronts a series of cryptid‑like entities that suddenly appear and attack humans. Each episode presents a self‑contained incident in which the UMAs manifest in various environments—ranging from isolated islands and mountain villages to underwater expeditions—prompting Banba to investigate their origins and behavior. The series blends horror and suspense, employing a compact storytelling format that emphasizes atmospheric tension and the unknown nature of the creatures.
Voice Cast (selected)
- Tomokazu Sugita as Sōsuke Banba
- Ryōtarō Okiayu as Masaki Kimura
- Mai Aizawa, Yukinori Okuhata, Yûsuke Handa, Fumiya Kosugi, Yukiko Morishita (supporting roles)
Reception and Legacy
“Kagewani” is noted for its concise, anthology‑style episodes that explore cryptozoological horror within a scientific framework. The series has been referenced in discussions of contemporary Japanese horror anime and has spawned a modest fan community, with additional media such as promotional live‑event screenings and merchandise released through the official website.
References
- Wikipedia entry for Kagewani (accessed via r.jina.ai)
- Official site and promotional materials (kagewani.com)
- Anime databases (MyAnimeList, Crunchyroll)
All information is derived from publicly available, verifiable sources.
