REMOW Co. Ltd. has officially announced the television anime adaptation of Liar’s Game, a psychological thriller that has captivated manga readers around the world for two decades. The series is set for release in 2026, with global streaming details to be announced.
“This year marks the 20 years since the first appearance of Liar Game in Young Jump, and this anniversary serves as the announcement of the anime adaptation of the series,” original creator Shinobu Kaitani stated in the announcement. “At the time, it began serialization with the theme of ‘The importance of trust,’ but in the 20 years since its release we have gone through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the explosive rise of social media, and an increasingly distrustful world … I feel that now, the theme of my series is more relevant than ever.
“And so, I feel it is fitting that in this era we get the Liar Game anime. Whether you’re someone who feels nostalgic for this series or someone discovering it for the first time, I believe this story will resonate with you in some way. I hope you look forward to it.”
Liar Game was serialized in Weekly Young Jump from 2005 to 2015, and is now being animated for television for the first time. This ‘ruthless story of lies and strategy exposing the light and dark sides of the human psyche’ has previously inspired a live-action TV drama (2007), live-action film (2010) and stage play (2023). Acclaimed studio Madhouse (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Chi: ON the Movements of the Earth) will be handling the anime production.
The manga’s story centers on a naive college student name Nao Kanzaki, who receives a mysterious package containing 100 million yen and the instruction that she is now a contestant in the Liar Game Tournament — a battle of deception where players cheat and lie to get ahold of the other contestants’ money. When Nao’s money is stolen in the first round by a trusted former teacher, she seeks out the services of a con man named Shinichi Akiyama to help shepherd her through the Liar Game, and help her take down the game’s organizers from the inside.
The key creative staff for the Liar Game anime are chief director Yuzo Sato (Kaiji: The Ultimate Survivor), director Asami Kawano (My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999), series composition/screenwriter Tatsuhiko Urahata (Hajime no Ippo), character designer Kei Tsuchiya (Trillion Game) and sound director Kisuke Koizumi.
“I remember that Liar Game was a big deal back when I first watched the live-action TV drama adaptation. Then before I knew it, 18 years had passed, and I’m still shocked by that. I guess I’ve gotten older, too,” shared chief director Sato. “I had worked previously on the anime adaptation of Mr. Kaitani’s other work titled One Outs, so I am happy that we have another chance to connect like this, working on the adaptation of his most representative work Liar Game. I had a fantastic time working on One Outs, and I hope we can have as much fun working on this series. I’ll do my best! This is the first anime adaptation of one of Mr. Kaitani’s original works in a long time, and we hope you will all be looking forward to it!”
Director Kawano commented, “I thought the core of this work would be in all these strategic mind games and deception, but I found the real appeal in the drama, characters, and the relationships they have with each other. With the solid support of my amazing senior colleagues, I’ll give it my all to make sure that appeal shines through. I promise to always give 100%! But I’m already overwhelmed by the numbers, more numbers, and and even more dialog. Help me, Akiyama-san! You love making these characters talk, huh! Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean we have to suffer!”
With a skillfully crafted mystery as the story’s core, the ultimate psychological battleground as its backdrop, and an unforgettable duo of our painfully honest protagonist and former genius swindler who dare to face this dangerous lie-filled world, every beloved element will be brought to life in this brand-new anime adaptation of Liar Game!
