Sarazanmai (2019)
A wildly inventive Japanese anime where folklore, desire, and hidden secrets collide in eleven unforgettable episodes.
Sarazanmai - Series Information
- Original Title: さらざんまい
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (23 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 11
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 12, 2019 (United States - TV-14), April 12, 2019 (Canada - 14+), April 12, 2019 (Germany - 12), April 12, 2019 (France - 12), April 12, 2019 (Australia - M), April 12, 2019 (Mexico - B-15), April 12, 2019 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: Fuji TV, AT-X
- Alternative Titles: 皿三昧 (CN)
- Production Companies: lapintrack, MAPPA
- Production Countries: Japan
Sarazanmai - Plot
After accidentally breaking a statue of the guardian god of the Asakusa district, middle school students Kazuki, Toi and Enta are transformed into kappas -creatures from japanese folklore- by Keppi, self-proclaimed prince of the Kappa Kingdom. If they want to regain their human form, they must collect the five Dishes of Hope for him, which fulfill the wishes of whoever possesses them. To do so, they will fight against the kappa-zombies and extract their "shirikodama", the mythical organ containing humans' deepest desires. Two policemen, Reo and Mabu, are the ones behind this evil scheme, turning humans into zombies as agents of the Otter Empire, enemy of the Kappa Kingdom since ancient times. In the guise of "Kappazon, Inc.", they control society by manipulating the desires of the masses for their own goals. To succeed in their mission, the boys must be connected through the "Sarazanmai", revealing their most intimate secrets in the process...
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Sarazanmai - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ayumu Murase
- Koki Uchiyama
- Shun Horie
- Mamoru Miyano
- Yoshimasa Hosoya
- Teiko Nanahara
- Junichi Suwabe
- Rie Kugimiya
- Ryo Kato
- Kenjiro Tsuda
Writers
- Kunihiko Ikuhara
- Teruko Utsumi
- Masayuki Kurosawa
- Nobuyuki Takeuchi
- Masato Jimbo
Sarazanmai - FAQs
Where can you stream Sarazanmai online?
Sarazanmai is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, the series can be purchased on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Crunchyroll remains the most accessible option for anime fans looking to watch it with a subscription.
What is Sarazanmai actually about?
Three middle school boys accidentally shatter a guardian deity's statue and are turned into kappas by a self-proclaimed Kappa Kingdom prince named Keppi. To regain their human forms, they must fight kappa-zombies and extract mythical organs containing human desires — all while their deepest secrets are exposed to one another.
Is Sarazanmai worth watching for anime fans?
Absolutely, especially if you enjoy bold, unconventional storytelling. Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, the mind behind Revolutionary Girl Utena and Penguindrum, Sarazanmai blends absurdist humor with surprisingly emotional themes of desire, connection, and identity. It's dense, weird, and rewarding — a genuine standout in modern anime.
What themes does Sarazanmai explore?
Beneath its surreal surface, Sarazanmai digs into desire, secrecy, and the fear of being truly known by others. It also critiques capitalism and societal control through the villainous Otter Empire's "Kappazon, Inc." The series weaves in themes of male friendship, secret love, sexuality, and the emotional cost of hiding who you really are.
Who are the main voice actors in Sarazanmai?
The central trio is voiced by Ayumu Murase as Kazuki Yasaka, Koki Uchiyama as Toi Kuji, and Shun Horie as Enta Jinnai. Mamoru Miyano and Yoshimasa Hosoya play the antagonistic policemen Reo and Mabu, while Junichi Suwabe lends his voice to the eccentric Keppi.
How many episodes does Sarazanmai have?
Sarazanmai runs for 11 episodes across a single season, with each episode averaging around 23 minutes. The compact format makes it easy to binge in a weekend, and the tight episode count means the story moves at a brisk, purposeful pace without any filler.
Who directed and wrote Sarazanmai?
Sarazanmai was created and directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, the visionary behind Revolutionary Girl Utena and Mawaru Penguindrum. The series script was written by a team including Teruko Utsumi, Masayuki Kurosawa, and Nobuyuki Takeuchi, among others, with music composed by Yukari Hashimoto.
What anime is similar to Sarazanmai?
Fans of Sarazanmai often enjoy other Ikuhara works like Revolutionary Girl Utena and Mawaru Penguindrum for their symbolic, layered storytelling. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun shares its supernatural school setting and folklore elements, while Fruits Basket (2019) offers similarly heartfelt explorations of hidden emotions and personal connection.
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