Kiba (2006)
A mature, battle-driven fantasy anime from Madhouse that refuses to pull its punches, delivering real drama and real consequences across 51 episodes.
Kiba - Series Information
- Original Title: 牙-KIBA-
- First Air Year: 2006
- Last Air Year: 2007
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 51
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 2, 2006 (Australia - MA 15+), April 2, 2006 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: TV Tokyo
- Production Companies: Aniplex, Madhouse
- Production Countries: Japan
Kiba - Plot
Kiba, a fantasy anime by Madhouse and Aniplex, began broadcasting on TV Tokyo on April 5, 2006. The series is directed by Hiroshi Kōjina with Upper Deck Japan, a trading card game company, as the main sponsor. The anime has been licensed by Upper Deck USA and produced by ADV Films for North American distribution. The series is more violent than other trading-card-game-tie-in animations with many characters being killed. According to an interview with the March 2006 issue of Animage, Hiroshi Kamishina, the show's director, noted that the show "absolutely will not have any plot elements that curry favor to children". The producers of the show has also commented that Kiba will not be the type of show to put "human drama" on the back burner while concentrating on promotional tie-ins. While Upper Deck owns the rights to the series, ADV Films is the distributor and their production studio Amusement Park Media is producing the dub. Kiba aired on Toonami Jetstream from July 14, 2008 to January 21, 2009 and is now showing on The Anime Network's Video on Demand service.
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Kiba - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Aya Endo
- Hiroshi Yanaka
- Erino Hazuki
- Shinnosuke Tachibana
- Marina Inoue
- Kazuma Horie
- Hiroyuki Yoshino
- Nana Mizuki
- Hiromi Hirata
- Kappei Yamaguchi
Kiba - FAQs
Is Kiba darker than other anime of its kind?
Kiba deliberately sets itself apart from typical trading-card-game tie-in anime by embracing genuine violence and character deaths. The director explicitly stated the show would not pander to children, and the producers committed to keeping human drama front and center rather than sidelining it for promotional purposes.
What is Kiba about?
Kiba is a fantasy anime following characters caught in a world of intense magical battles with real, often fatal consequences. Unlike lighter card-game adaptations, it emphasizes human drama and moral weight. Directed by Hiroshi Kōjina, the series aired on TV Tokyo in 2006 and ran for 51 episodes.
Where can you stream Kiba online?
Streaming availability for Kiba varies by region. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date viewing options across platforms in your country. The series previously aired on Toonami Jetstream and was available through The Anime Network's Video on Demand service.
Who are the main voice actors in Kiba?
Kiba features a strong Japanese voice cast, including Hiroyuki Yoshino as Zed, Nana Mizuki as Roya, Shinnosuke Tachibana as Gale, Marina Inoue as Rebecca, Kappei Yamaguchi as Hugh, and Aya Endo as Glaudio, among others. The English dub was produced by ADV Films' studio Amusement Park Media.
How many episodes does Kiba have?
Kiba ran for a single season comprising 51 episodes, each approximately 24 minutes long. The series began broadcasting on TV Tokyo on April 5, 2006, and concluded in 2007, giving it a complete, self-contained story arc across its full run.
Did Kiba air outside Japan?
Yes. Kiba was licensed by Upper Deck USA and distributed in North America by ADV Films. It later aired on Toonami Jetstream from July 2008 through January 2009, and was subsequently made available on The Anime Network's Video on Demand platform, giving it meaningful international exposure.
Is Kiba connected to a trading card game?
Kiba was sponsored by Upper Deck Japan, a trading card game company, making it a tie-in property. However, the creators deliberately pushed back against the typical constraints of such partnerships, crafting a series with genuine dramatic stakes, character deaths, and mature themes rather than a soft promotional vehicle.
What anime are similar to Kiba?
Fans of Kiba may enjoy Solty Rei, another action-fantasy anime with emotional depth, or Witch Hunter Robin, which shares a darker supernatural tone. Sky Wizards Academy and The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse also offer fantasy battle elements for viewers seeking comparable genre experiences.
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