New Original Anime from The Apothecary Diaries Director Norihiro Naganuma: Jurassic Shadows — Dinosaurs, Ninjas, and Makeup Combined

Director Norihiro Naganuma, who made a name for himself with The Apothecary Diaries, presents a brand new original anime project: Jurassic Shadows. According to the official announcement made on July 4, 2026, this extraordinary production brings together dinosaurs, ninjas, and makeup. The first promotional video, visual, staff information, and even a manga adaptation were announced simultaneously.

This project, subtitled Jurassic Shadows: Dinosaur Ninja, stands out as an unprecedented concept experiment by Naganuma. The combination of dinosaurs and ninjas is a rare combination in the anime world; moreover, adding the makeup theme makes it even more interesting. Naganuma stated that he has been carrying this project in his mind for a long time and wants to offer viewers an experience that is both fun and visually surprising.

The promotional video released with the announcement caused a great stir on social media in a short time. The video features a fight scene interwoven between a ninja and a herd of dinosaurs, as well as the unusual use of makeup brushes. It was also announced that the manga adaptation of the project would start simultaneously, so fans can follow both the anime and the comic.

As you may recall, Norihiro Naganuma received great acclaim for The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto), one of the most successful anime adaptations of recent times. This production, which stood out with its period drama, mystery, and character-driven narrative, reached millions of viewers both in Japan and internationally. Naganuma's shift to a completely different tone demonstrates the director's versatility.

The release date of Jurassic Shadows has not been finalized yet, but the production is expected to air within the next year. As an original project, the choice of studio and detailed character designs are eagerly anticipated. In particular, how Naganuma will bring his aesthetic sense from The Apothecary Diaries to this new world is already exciting fans.

This announcement once again proves how valuable original works still are in the anime industry. How this unusual mix of dinosaurs, ninjas, and makeup will be handled is the biggest curiosity. New trailers, character introductions, and additional staff information are expected in the coming days. Stay tuned!