Before he unleashed the bloody chaos of Chainsaw Man on the world, Tatsuki Fujimoto was already a master of the bizarre, the heartfelt, and the utterly unforgettable. Now, fans can experience the genesis of his genius in Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, a new anthology anime series collecting eight of his earliest one-shot mangas. The series is set for a limited theatrical run in Japan on October 17, 2025, before making its exclusive worldwide debut on Amazon Prime Video on November 7, 2025.
This anthology is a huge deal for fans of the acclaimed mangaka, offering a rare glimpse into Fujimoto’s early works and the creative foundations that would eventually lead to masterpieces like Chainsaw Man and the critically lauded 2024 film Look Back. The project pulls from his two published collections, Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 17-21 and Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 22-26, which are available in English from VIZ Media.
Caption: The official poster for Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 showcases all eight short stories in the anthology.
Credit: ©藤本タツキ／集英社・「藤本タツキ 17-26」製作委員会
Source: Official Promotional Materials via Anitrendz
What Is Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26?
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is not just another anime adaptation; it s a curated collection of eight distinct stories, each handled by a different creative team. This unique approach allows each short to maintain its own identity, reflecting the experimental and often raw energy of Fujimoto s early storytelling. The anthology is a collaboration between six different animation studios and seven directors, a powerhouse lineup that speaks to the immense respect Fujimoto commands in the industry.
Producer Ryo Oyama, who was also involved in the Look Back film, explained that the production team intentionally chose to keep the stories as separate installments. This ensures that the integrity of each one-shot is preserved, allowing the individual creative teams to fully explore and adapt Fujimoto s vision without being constrained by a single overarching narrative. The result is a smorgasbord of creative styles, from action-packed sci-fi to absurd romantic comedies.
A Powerhouse of Talent: The Studios and Directors
The lineup of talent behind this anthology is nothing short of incredible. With six studios and seven directors, the project brings together a diverse range of experience and artistic sensibilities. Here’s a look at the creative forces bringing Fujimoto’s early works to life:
Story Title | Director(s) | Animation Studio | Notable Prior Works |
|---|---|---|---|
A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin… | Seishiro Nagaya | ZEXCS | My-HiME, Rental Magica |
Sasaki Stopped a Bullet | Nobukage Kimura | Lapin Track | Sarazanmai, Uchitama?! Have you seen my Tama? |
Love is Blind | Nobuyuki Takeuchi | Lapin Track | Fireworks, Sarazanmai |
Shikaku | Naoya Ando | GRAPH77 | Paradox Live The Animation |
Mermaid Rhapsody | Tetsuaki Watanabe | 100studio | BLUELOCK |
Woke-Up-as-a-Girl Syndrome | Kazuaki Terasawa | Studio Kafka | The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls |
Nayuta of the Prophecy | Tetsuaki Watanabe | 100studio | BLUELOCK |
Sisters | Osamu Honma | P.A.WORKS | Ya Boy Kongming!, The Aquatope on White Sand |
This collaboration of top-tier studios like P.A.WORKS (Ya Boy Kongming!) and Lapin Track (Sarazanmai), along with exciting new studios like GRAPH77 and Studio Kafka, promises a visually stunning and diverse collection of films.
A Glimpse Into the Eight Stories
Each of the eight stories in the anthology offers a unique window into Fujimoto s creative evolution. Here s a breakdown of what to expect from each short, based on reviews and official announcements.
1. A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin in the Schoolyard
This action-packed story, originally from 2011, gets an expanded adaptation that delves into a post-apocalyptic world overrun by aliens. Director Seishiro Nagaya takes the source material and builds upon it, creating a more fleshed-out narrative that ends on a surprisingly optimistic note.
2. Sasaki Stopped a Bullet
This short is a testament to Fujimoto s knack for humorously exploring the absurd. The story revolves around the power of belief, and director Nobukage Kimura and writer Teruko Utsumi deliver a straightforward yet witty adaptation that highlights the power of words.
3. Love is Blind
A fan-favorite, this story is a perfect blend of sweet teen romance and complete chaos. It follows a high school student council president who confesses his love in the face of impending doom. The anime adaptation promises to capture the pure romantic tension and humor of the original without the need for flashy animation.
4. Shikaku
Another one of Fujimoto s early love stories, Shikaku follows a female assassin with a peculiar moral code who is tasked with killing an immortal vampire. While the manga shows Fujimoto honing his relationship-building skills, the anime, directed by Nozomi Shimazaki, is said to be a visual spectacle, even if it doesn t quite capture the depth of the original.
Caption: Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video starting November 7, 2025.
Credit: Prime Video
Source: Prime Video
5. Mermaid Rhapsody
This touching coming-of-age story about a boy and a mermaid is one of Fujimoto s more conventional tales. Directed by BLUELOCK s Tetsuaki Watanabe and animated by Studio Kafka, the adaptation is expected to be a heartfelt, if straightforward, take on the source material, complete with a beautiful piano score.
6. Woke-Up-as-a-Girl Syndrome
This episode is being touted as one of the most creative and visually vibrant of the anthology. Studio Kafka and director Kazuaki Terasawa experiment with camera angles and a city-pop aesthetic to tell a story that tackles themes of gender identity and body dysmorphia with a lighthearted touch.
7. Nayuta of the Prophecy
Fans of Chainsaw Man will find familiar themes in this story. Directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe, Nayuta of the Prophecy follows two siblings in a dark and cruel world, with the younger sister, Nayuta, possessing world-ending powers. The story explores their complex relationship and the burdens of their existence, drawing clear parallels to the world and characters of Chainsaw Man.
8. Sisters
This final short, directed by Osamu Honma and animated by the acclaimed P.A.WORKS, promises to be an emotional and visually stunning conclusion to the anthology. While details are scarce, the involvement of a studio known for its beautiful animation and character-driven stories is a very promising sign.
Why This Anthology is a Must-Watch
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is more than just a collection of animated shorts; it s a journey through the mind of one of modern manga s most exciting and unpredictable creators. For fans of Chainsaw Man, it s an opportunity to see the seeds of that series being sown. For newcomers, it s a perfect introduction to Fujimoto s unique brand of storytelling, where the mundane and the surreal collide in spectacular fashion.
With its star-studded creative team and the backing of a major streaming platform, this anthology is poised to be one of the most talked-about anime events of the fall season. Don t miss your chance to witness the early works of a master storyteller when Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 hits Prime Video on November 7.
References
- Crunchyroll News. (2025, October 10). Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 Anime Film Anthology Gets New Trailer, 8 Key Visuals. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/10/10/tatsuki-fujimoto-17-26-anime-film-anthology-new-trailer-8-key-visuals
- Anime News Network. (2025, October 10). Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 Anime Series Review. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tatsuki-fujimoto-17-26/anime-series/.229788
- Anitrendz. (2025, October 10). Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 Anime Anthology Reveals Visuals. https://www.anitrendz.com/news/2025/10/10/tatsuki-fujimoto-17-26-anime-anthology-reveals-visuals
