Director Norihiro Naganuma, celebrated for his atmospheric direction on The Apothecary Diaries and The Ancient Magus' Bride, has unveiled his first original anime project, Jurassic Shadows (Ryuugeshou no Shinobi). The announcement took place at Anime Expo 2026, where Naganuma joined producers from Avex Pictures and Slow Curve to introduce a premise that blends modern urban life with prehistoric threats.
The narrative unfolds in a 2029 Tokyo where dinosaurs survived extinction by passing their DNA through human generations. A secret ninja organization now protects society from these predators, utilizing a mysterious substance called 'Ryugeshou' makeup to awaken dormant dinosaur abilities. Character concepts for the series are provided by manga artist Youichi Amano, whose portfolio includes work in Weekly Shonen Jump.
While Naganuma has built his reputation on character-driven drama and meticulous visual palettes, he described this project as a deliberate shift toward high-octane action. The production team aims to weave four core themes—memory, dinosaurs, ninjas, and makeup—into a cohesive mythology. With over ten dinosaur species confirmed to appear, the team intends for these creatures to be deeply tied to the individual backstories of the characters who wield their power.
This project represents a departure from Naganuma's recent adaptations, which maintain strong standing in our database; for instance, The Apothecary Diaries holds an 86/100 on AniList. Whether Naganuma’s signature focus on color and emotion can successfully translate to a fast-paced action series is the primary question for followers of his previous work.
