The TV anime adaptation of The Cat and the Dragon just received a significant wave of new information. On February 21, 2026, the production team released a new trailer, a new key visual, and revealed six additional cast members, all timed to coincide with Cat Day on February 22. The series will begin broadcasting in Japan in July 2026, and the latest reveals give fans their clearest look yet at this long-awaited adaptation.
When Does The Cat and the Dragon Anime Premiere?
The Cat and the Dragon anime premieres in July 2026 in Japan. The series broadcasts on TOKYO MX, BS Nippon TV, and Yomiuri TV, and streaming availability has been confirmed on d Anime Store and other platforms. International streaming details have not been announced at this time.
The New Key Visual and Trailer
The latest key visual, titled Pickup Key Visual: Dragon and Cat, focuses on the relationship between Nekoryū and the cats who adore him. The image depicts the warm dynamic between the dragon who watches over the cats with kindness and the cats who look to him as family.
Alongside the key visual, the production team released Pickup PV: Dragon and Cat, available to watch on YouTube.
The trailer centres on the relationship between Nekoryū, voiced by Takehito Koyasu, and Mama Nyan, voiced by Kikuko Inoue. The PV also marks the first time Mama Nyan’s character voice appears publicly, making it an essential watch for fans who want to hear the new cast in action before the July premiere.
The Cat and the Dragon Story Overview
The Cat and the Dragon is a fantasy anthology series based on the light novel written by Amara. The story centres on a fire-breathing dragon who lost his parents before he was born and was subsequently raised by a mother cat deep in the forest. The other cats welcomed him into their family as a “slightly unusual cat” who could fly and breathe fire. He is affectionately called “Uncle Wing” by the cats and “Cat Dragon” by the humans who regard him with awe.
The series tells its story in an omnibus format, weaving together the interactions between the dragon and the cats, the cats and humans, and the dragon and humans. Each chapter focuses on a different curious cat with its own unique lifestyle, such as one who goes on an adventure with a human prince and another who lives in the city and people-watches as a hobby. Despite his extreme dislike of humans, the dragon gradually warms to them over time, making this a heartwarming fantasy about unlikely bonds.
The original web novel began serialisation in September 2013 on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website. Takarajimasha publishes the print version in Japan, with nine light novel volumes released to date, and the series has sold over 1.2 million copies.
Cast of The Cat and the Dragon Anime
The full confirmed cast now includes both the previously announced lead and the six newly revealed characters.
| Character | Voice Actor |
| Nekoryū (the Cat Dragon) | Takehito Koyasu |
| Mamanyan | Kikuko Inoue |
| Shirotae | Fuka Izumi |
| Kurobane | Sho Hayami |
| Haibuchi | Noriaki Sugiyama |
| Chiikuro | Maki Kawase |
| Kurotama | Shinnosuke Tokudome |
The six newly revealed cast members all join Takehito Koyasu, who was already announced as the voice of Nekoryū. The production also confirmed that a talk show stage featuring this star-studded cast will take place at AnimeJapan 2026, giving fans a chance to see the performers together ahead of the July broadcast.
Staff Behind The Cat and the Dragon Anime
The production brings together experienced creators from across the anime industry.
| Role | Name |
| Director | Jin Gu Oh |
| Series Composition | Mitsutaka Hirota |
| Character Design | Rie Nishino and Chiaki Kurakazu |
| Music | Takahiro Obata |
| Sound Director | Noriyoshi Konuma |
| Animation Studio | OLM |
Jin Gu Oh previously directed Tonbo!, while Mitsutaka Hirota has composition credits on Edens Zero. Takahiro Obata, who composed the music for The Promised Neverland, handles the score, and Noriyoshi Konuma, known for The Dangers in My Heart, serves as sound director. OLM handles the animation production.
The Cat and the Dragon Source Material
For anyone who wants to explore the story ahead of the anime, here is a breakdown of the available source material.
| Format | Details |
| Light Novel | Nine volumes published in hardcover by Takarajimasha. Written by Amara with illustrations by Mai Okuma |
| Manga Adaptation | Twelve volumes published by Takarajimasha. Manga by Izumi Sasaki, original story by Amara, character design by Mai Okuma |
| Original Web Novel | Began serialisation in September 2013 on Shōsetsuka ni Narō |
The series has sold over 1.2 million copies across its various formats, and it previously topped the daily rankings on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō platform, giving it a strong established readership before the anime adaptation was even announced.
This latest update builds excitement for the July 2026 premiere. Fans can follow official developments on the website nekoryuu-pr.com and X account for more news, including potential future pickup videos and campaigns. The heartwarming tale of bonds between cats, a dragon, and humans promises to deliver cozy fantasy vibes.
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