'Murciélago' manga gets 2027 TV anime adaptation on HIDIVE
Yoshimura Kana's dark action manga Murciélago is officially becoming a TV anime debuting in 2027, with HIDIVE locking down exclusive streaming rights in the U.S., Canada, and other territories. The long-awaited adaptation was revealed at Anime Expo 2026, giving fans a concrete timeline and a confirmed platform.
The Murciélago manga gets 2027 TV anime treatment after more than a decade in print — a milestone for a series that has quietly built a devoted following since 2013. For viewers tracking streaming and TV alerts, this is one of the biggest anime licensing moves of the summer convention season.
Key Takeaways
- Murciélago will premiere as a TV anime in 2027, announced at Anime Expo 2026.
- HIDIVE holds exclusive streaming rights in the U.S., Canada, and several other markets.
- The manga has sold more than 2.3 million copies since debuting in Square Enix's Young Gangan in August 2013.
- Satelight and Staple Entertainment are co-producing, with Naoya Takashi as chief director and Asami Matsuo directing.
- Voice recording is already underway, with the creative team aiming to match the manga's stylish crime-action tone.
What Is Murciélago and Why Does a 2027 Anime Matter?
Serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan since August 2013, Yoshimura Kana's Murciélago is a dark action manga that has sold more than 2.3 million copies. That sales figure underscores why an anime adaptation carries real weight: this is not a niche one-volume experiment, but a long-running title with an established readership.
The story centers on Kuroko Koumori, a former death-row inmate recruited under an unusual legal arrangement to work as an executioner for the state. She teams with Hinako Tozakura, an unassuming young woman with exceptional driving skills, and together the pair confront threats hidden within society. The premise blends crime, action, and morally gray territory — the kind of material that can stand out in a crowded anime season if handled faithfully.
When and Where Can You Watch the Murciélago Anime?
HIDIVE announced exclusive streaming rights for the adaptation in the U.S., Canada, and several other markets, according to Variety. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2027, with no exact season window confirmed yet.
For North American fans, HIDIVE's involvement means a single clear destination rather than a fragmented multi-platform rollout. The announcement arrived alongside the Anime Expo 2026 reveal, pairing a production timeline with a confirmed streaming home years ahead of launch.
Who Is Making the Murciélago TV Anime?
Naoya Takashi, whose credits include Am I Actually the Strongest? and Tales of Wedding Rings, serves as chief director. Asami Matsuo, known for I'm the Villainess, but I'm Being Doted on by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom and Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table, directs the series.
Satelight, the studio behind Drops of God and PSYREN, and Staple Entertainment, which produced Tales of Wedding Rings and Watari-kun's ****** Is About to Collapse, are jointly handling animation. Tateishi Sei is designing the characters, while Akita Masanori and Tsuchiya Yuichi compose the score. The project marks the second collaboration between Takashi and Matsuo — and their two studios — following the recent Übel Blatt adaptation.
What Are the Creators Saying About the Adaptation?
Yoshimura called the anime one of her greatest dreams since becoming a manga artist and thanked readers and collaborators for helping bring the project to life. Takashi noted this is his first project as chief director and said he focused on series composition, scriptwriting, and storyboarding while respecting the director's authority.
Matsuo reported that voice recording is already in progress, with performances from Kuroko and Hinako exceeding what the team envisioned. She added that animators are working to capture the original's stylish crime-action spirit while pushing its erotic and grotesque elements to the limits of broadcast standards. Takashi singled out Kuroko as the standout character — cool, mischievous, and even a great cook.