The upcoming original anime Aoki Denshou Welsh & Shedar has officially entered the spotlight, with a new website confirming a fall 2026 broadcast. The series is scheduled to debut on Tokyo MX on October 2 at 9:25 p.m., bringing a unique Japan-France collaborative effort to the screen. The production is spearheaded by studios Ankama and Studio Dream Catcher, with Studio Massket handling animation and background art.
The story centers on the unlikely bond between Welsh, a rural teenager with a passion for cooking, and Shedar, a prince burdened by his royal destiny. Their paths cross unexpectedly, forcing the duo to unite against a tyrannical despot threatening their world. The lead roles will be voiced by Rikuya Yasuda as Welsh and Yuuki Kaji as Shedar.
Behind the scenes, the project is directed by Naoki Horiuchi, with original concepts and scripts provided by Tot. The visual identity of the series is led by character designer Saori Nakashiki, who also serves as a chief animation director alongside Yoshiaki Tsubata and Yuki Ikeda. The project’s international scope is further reflected in its music, which is being composed by the duo of Pierre-Jean Beaudoin and Jose Pavli.
While this marks the start of a new franchise, the involvement of TO Books in sound production suggests a strong focus on the series' audio-visual presentation. Given the cross-cultural nature of the production, it remains to be seen how the international staff will influence the series' pacing and narrative structure compared to standard domestic productions.
