A New Perspective on the Anime World from TV Tokyo: The "Picculture" Program Begins!
TV Tokyo, one of the first channels that comes to mind when it comes to anime in Japan, is launching a brand new project that will excite fans. Starting its broadcast life on Sunday, April 12, 2026, "Picculture" (full title Picculture ~Anime no Ironna Toko ni Spotlight wo Atete Pikatto Hikarasetemita~) will bring not only the visible face of the anime world but also the hidden heroes in its kitchen to the audience. The program will be hosted by the famous actor Mahiro Takasugi, known for his passion for anime, and the popular comedian Seiya (Shimofuri Myojo).
This project holds special importance for Mahiro Takasugi, who has signed on to many successful productions in his career; as this is the first time the handsome actor will appear as a main host (MC) on a variety program. Takasugi stated that he was quite nervous during the filming at first, but he relaxed in a short time with the energy of his partner Seiya. Both names are die-hard anime fans: Takasugi is known for his massive manga collection, while Seiya stands out as a name who cannot stop watching anime every day and is well-versed in the technical terms of the industry.
"Picculture" aims to "shine a light" on a different area of the anime industry in each episode. In the first episode of the program, the team will be guests at OLM, the legendary studio behind productions such as the worldwide phenomenon Pokémon and one of the biggest hits of recent times, The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto). Viewers will have the chance to see firsthand how an anime is moved from sketches on paper to the screen, the work discipline of voice actors, and production techniques never seen before.
This move by TV Tokyo comes after the success of special content such as "Anime is Eating the Earth" broadcast last year. The channel continues to position anime not just as a means of entertainment, but as Japan's most important cultural export and an art form. Picculture seems to be a candidate to be the new favorite of Sunday nights by appealing to both the hardcore otaku audience and the general audience curious about how anime is made. After the episodes of the program are broadcast, they will also be available to watch on platforms such as TVer.
