BODY: A brand-new fantasy adventure is riding into NHK's after-school lineup this fall, and its knights finally have voices.
On Monday, the official website for Marronnier Oukoku no Shichinin no Kishi (The Seven Knights of the Marronnier Kingdom) revealed the main cast, a fresh key visual, and the series' first promotional video. The television anime adapts the manga by Nao Iwamoto and is set to premiere on October 3 at 6:25 p.m. on NHK E-Tele.
Leading the ensemble is Kengo Takanashi (Dorohedoro) as Nemukunai, joined by Makoto Tanikawa as Hakuai, Haruki Ishiya (Marriagetoxin) as Atsugariya, and Satoshi Inomata as Samugariya. The character names — playful Japanese phrases meaning things like "not sleepy," "loves warmth," and "loves the cold" — hint at the whimsical, personality-driven tone the series is aiming for.
The evening E-Tele slot signals that the production is targeting families and younger viewers, a placement that tends to prioritize approachable storytelling and clean, colorful animation over the late-night edge of most seasonal fare.
The insider take
From Tokyo, the choice of NHK E-Tele is the detail worth watching. The public broadcaster's educational channel has quietly become a launchpad for gentle, all-ages fantasy that travels well overseas — think of the durable international affection for E-Tele mainstays. A 6:25 p.m. weekday-adjacent slot is prime real estate for reaching kids and parents together, and it positions Marronnier as comfort viewing rather than a chase for otaku hype. If the promo's charm lands, this is exactly the kind of low-key title that builds a loyal following through word of mouth.
Originally reported by News - MyAnimeList (English).