A television anime adaptation of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s long-running historical manga Historie has officially been announced, marking a major milestone for a story the creator has been developing in various forms for decades.
The announcement was made through a newly launched official website on Thursday, confirming that LIDEN FILMS will handle animation duties for the project. Further details, including a release window, staff, and cast, have not yet been disclosed.
In a message accompanying the announcement, Iwaaki reflected on the unusually long journey of Historie. He revealed that the concept for the story first took shape more than 40 years ago, while the earliest artwork was sketched roughly two decades ago in what he described as a very small studio. The anime adaptation, he noted, represents the culmination of an idea he has carried for much of his creative life.
Historie is currently serialised in Kodansha’s Afternoon magazine, where it debuted in October 2004. The series follows the life of Eumenes, a sharp-minded young man living in ancient times, charting his path toward becoming a renowned military commander and trusted secretary to Alexander the Great. While destiny promises him historical significance, the narrative focuses heavily on the personal struggles, political dangers, and moral choices that shape his rise.
The manga has enjoyed both critical acclaim and commercial success. As of June 2024, Kodansha has published 12 collected volumes, with the series surpassing 4.7 million copies in circulation. Historie has also earned several prestigious honours, including the Media Arts Festival Award for Manga from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2010, the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2012, and, most recently, the Best General Manga award at the 49th Kodansha Manga Awards in 2025.
Internationally, the manga is available in English through Kodansha’s K Manga service, expanding its reach to a global audience ahead of the anime’s debut.
Iwaaki is best known for Parasyte (Kiseijuu), his influential sci-fi horror manga that ran from 1990 to 1995 and later inspired a television anime and two live-action films released between 2014 and 2015. With Historie, fans and newcomers alike can expect a very different tone—one rooted in historical drama, political intrigue, and long-form character development.
The announcement has already generated strong anticipation, particularly among readers who have followed the manga for years. More information about the anime adaptation is expected to be revealed in the coming months.
