Info in Movie News | The Cat and The Dragon, the next TV anime, has turned out its very first teaser trailer, key visual, and new production information, allowing the fans to have a closer look with one of the most imaginative conceptions of fantasy slated to arrive in July 2026. Rather than a conventional fight-heavy or royal intrigue fantasy, the series revolves around a dragon exhaling fire who has been brought up in a forest of cats, hence a serene, character-driven story which differentiates itself from the rest.
According to Crunchyroll, the new teaser shows the main character Nekoryuu's narration by a seasoned voice actor Takehito Koyasu. His mellow but still very much alive delivery acquaints Nekoryuu’s origins, the forest where he is raised among cats, and his first contacts with people. Koyasu, whose characters in Attack on Titan, Gintama, and Jujutsu Kaisen are widely recognized, shares that a strict and dignified figure, at the beginning, Nekoryuu slowly turns into unexpectedly cute as the story goes on.
The anime is a product of OLM, with Jin Gu Oh as the director of the adaptation. Mitsutaka Hirota is the series composition writer, while character designs are the work of Rie Nishino and Chiaki Kurakazu. Music-wise, it is Takahiro Obata, who is famous for his mellow and atmospheric musical style, that is to score the anime and thus not only bringing the forest setting but also the magic of the moments to life.
The key visual adds even more charm to the project. It shows Nekoryuu in the form of a small cat sitting beside a lake, while the reflection in the water reveals his true dragon form. Blue, glowing spirit-like particles float around him, creating a mysterious, dreamlike atmosphere. The imagery reflects the show’s central theme, a creature caught between who he is by nature and the identity shaped by the beings who raised him.
The light novel series written by Amara and illustrated by Mai Okuma was initially published in 2013 on Shosetsuka ni Narou. It didn't take long for the series to be noticed, thus being published in print by Takarajimasha and getting a manga adaptation by Izumi Sasaki. The total sales of the franchise in both formats have surpassed 1.2 million copies, hence, the anime adaptation announcement was merely a formality.
It is Nekoryuu, the gigantic fire-spitting dragon who Uncle Wing is the affectionate name, that the story revolves around. Initially, he hates humans but after a cat-mother takes care of him, he grows up with kittens, and learns their habits, values, and quirks. Rather than following the path of many dragons in fantasy tales and living a destructive life, Nekoryuu decides to become a protector and thus he guards cats that are sometimes too curious and might get into trouble with humans or lose their way in nature.
One kitten goes on an adventure with a human prince, while another stays in a lively town and loves watching people from the roofs. Through these small but significant interactions, Nekoryuu’s view of humans changes gradually. The anime gently delves into these relationships, rather than focusing on emotional bonds or huge battles and threats to the world.
While in majority of fantasy stories dragons are depicted as terrifying beasts, The Cat and The Dragon turns the concept around completely. Rather than scaring the readers off with the elements of danger and destruction, the series features the characters forming bonds, having faith in each other and growing emotionally. In the end, the scary dragon turned into a soft one that made the whole anime feel warm and comfortable which is perfect not only for fans of the fantasy genre but for people who like slice-of-life stories with a little bit of magic as well.
Although the studio has announced the broadcast to be sometime in July 2026, the exact day and the streaming services are still a secret. Nevertheless, the unusual concept of the show, the strong voice cast, and the experienced creative team have already attracted the attention of many viewers, thereby making it their top-most probable fantasy picks for the coming year.
The Cat and The Dragon, in general, wants to give its audience a warm fantasy experience, which can be contrasted with the usual intense and action-packed scenes, rather the focus is on the emotional journey of a dragon who finds family in the most unexpected place. Besides the intricate world-building, lovable characters, and visually calming art direction, the anime series is becoming a refreshing addition to the summer 2026 lineup.
source Crunchyroll
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