Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Returns: Editor Kyoka Izumi Takes the Lead in New Episode!
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans' favorite spin-off series, Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan (Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai), is preparing to return to screens with a very special episode. According to the official announcement by NHK, the new installment of the series, titled "Izumi Kyoka wa Damaranai" (Kyoka Izumi Will Not Be Silent), will meet the audience on May 4, 2026. The biggest feature that distinguishes this episode from the others is that the center of the story will not be the eccentric mangaka Rohan Kishibe, but his energetic editor Kyoka Izumi.
This new episode of the series holds the distinction of being the first completely original screenplay in the series' history. For this story, which is not featured in the original manga, the series creator Hirohiko Araki personally supported the script team as a consultant. The story revolves around the eerie events surrounding the rookie mangaka Mika Saion (Mayu Hotta), whom Kyoka has just discovered. The tension, which begins with Rohan finding Mika's works "ordinary but equally disturbing," will move to a supernatural dimension when Kyoka goes to the house of this mysterious rookie writer.
The cast features familiar faces as well as exciting new names. Marie Iitoyo will take the lead role as Kyoka Izumi, a character she has portrayed for seven years, while Issei Takahashi will support her in the role of Rohan Kishibe. Among the new characters, Mayu Hotta will play Mika Saion, Kanichiro will play her mysterious twin brother Soshi, and Atsushi Hashimoto will play the character Kansuke. The newly shared visuals prove that the series' famous eerie and surreal atmosphere will reach its peak in this episode.
Starting in 2020, this live-action series has achieved great success with 9 episodes and two feature films (Rohan au Louvre and At a Confessional) to date. This universe, where Rohan reads people's lives like a book with his Heaven's Door ability, has become a tradition eagerly awaited every year in Japan. This special episode, in which Kyoka will appear as the main protagonist for the first time, will expand the boundaries of the series while offering fans a fresh piece of Araki's imagination. This 60-minute special episode, which will be released on May 4, is an appointment that mystery lovers should not miss!
