The chilling horror anime Mononoke, a standout from Fuji TV's "noitaminA" programming block, just wrapped up its epic Mononoke Movie Trilogy with the final chapter, "Jashin" (Snake God), hitting Japanese theaters in late May.
But hold up! Yesterday (July 5), the official word dropped: a brand-new Mononoke series project is officially underway! And get this – they've just unveiled the third Medicine Seller, "Inui no Ken" (who we'll call "Inui Medicine Seller" from here on out). A fresh teaser PV for the new project also hit, alongside the announcement that Kadokawa Bunko is set to unleash three brand-new novels, each starring a different Medicine Seller and diving into all-new supernatural tales.
For the uninitiated, Mononoke first spun off from the "Bakeneko" arc of the 2006 series Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, before getting its own TV anime in 2007. It then made a grand return in 2024 with the Movie Trilogy, set against the backdrop of the Ooku.
The series follows the enigmatic "Medicine Seller" as he journeys across the land, battling bizarre phenomena born from human obsession and resentment – the titular "Mononoke." Now that the Movie Trilogy has wrapped, the creators are blowing the doors wide open with a mind-bending new lore detail: "Up to 64 Medicine Sellers can exist!" Talk about expanding the universe!
So, about this "third" Medicine Seller we mentioned? The official breakdown goes like this:
The "Ri Medicine Seller" from the TV anime
The "Kon Medicine Seller" from the Movie Trilogy
And the brand-new "Inui Medicine Seller"
This fresh new project will put the spotlight on all three Medicine Sellers, with Kadokawa Bunko dropping three novels, each promising new and eerie tales.
The newly unveiled project PV isn't just a nostalgic trip down memory lane, showcasing iconic moments from the TV anime's "Ri Medicine Seller" and the Movie Trilogy's "Kon Medicine Seller." It also gives us our first official look at the third Medicine Seller – Inui Medicine Seller! And the voice behind him? None other than Hirofumi Araki!
Araki is no stranger to the role; he previously captivated audiences as the Medicine Seller in the Mononoke stage play, earning rave reviews for his mysterious and charismatic portrayal. Now, he's officially bringing that magic to the animated series! Character design, meanwhile, remains in the incredibly capable hands of Koko Nagata, who also designed the characters for the Mononoke Movie Trilogy.
▼ Check out the Mononoke Series New Project PV below!
The official word is that more details on the plots and release dates for those three Kadokawa Bunko novels – each starring a different Medicine Seller – will drop soon. And mark your calendars! A "Mononoke Movie Trilogy Completion Festival" is slated for November 14, 2026, promising even more juicy reveals!
via： X@『劇場版モノノ怪』公式