{"id":52187,"date":"2026-05-18T13:18:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T17:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/kamui-anime-unveils-kotokos-say-bye-ending-theme-in-july\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T13:19:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T17:19:01","slug":"kamui-anime-ending-theme-kotoko","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/kamui-anime-ending-theme-kotoko\/","title":{"rendered":"KAMUI Anime Unveils KOTOKO’s SAY-BYE Ending Theme in July"},"content":{"rendered":"

The highly anticipated anime adaptation of the supernatural manga “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” (originally titled “Ushiro no Shomen Kamui-san<\/a>aaa”) has officially revealed its ending theme, setting the stage for a July premiere that is already generating considerable buzz within the anime community. A new promotional video released on Monday showcases the energetic ending song “SAY-BYE!!”, performed by the acclaimed singer KOTOKO<\/a>, whose extensive discography includes iconic themes for series such as “Shakugan no Shana”, “Accel World”, and “Onegai Teacher”. This latest glimpse into the production offers fans their best look yet at the series’ visual style, character dynamics, and tonal direction, all while confirming the creative team that is bringing this unique supernatural narrative to life.<\/p>\n

KOTOKO Returns with an Energetic Ending Theme for July Premiere<\/h2>\n

The newly released promotional video prominently features “SAY-BYE!!”, a track that captures the series’ blend of supernatural thrills and character-driven comedy. KOTOKO, a veteran of the anime music scene with a career spanning over two decades, brings her signature high-energy vocal style to the song, which complements the fast-paced exorcism action and the quirky relationship between the two protagonists. The video provides extended footage of the animation in motion, revealing the distinct character designs by Toshinari Yamashita and the atmospheric direction that the co-production teams at Zero-G and ZG-R have developed for the series. For longtime followers of the manga, the confirmation of the ending theme and the visual fidelity seen in the promotional material signal that the adaptation is progressing smoothly toward its scheduled July debut.<\/p>\n

Behind the Adaptation: Studios Zero-G and ZG-R Join Forces<\/h2>\n

The animation production for “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” is a collaborative effort between two studios: Zero-G, known for works like “Grand Blue” and “Dogeza de Tanondemita”, and ZG-R, a studio that has been actively building its portfolio with recent fantasy and supernatural titles. This partnership brings together complementary strengths, with Zero-G’s experience in comedy timing and character animation pairing with ZG-R’s growing expertise in visual effects and atmospheric storytelling. The series is being produced under the Deregula label, a brand owned by the WWWave Corporation that has been steadily expanding its presence in the anime production space. The script is being handled by Motofumi Nakaj\u014d, whose previous work includes series that balance supernatural elements with strong character development, while Toshinari Yamashita, serving as character designer, is responsible for translating the distinct visual style of the original manga into fluid animation.<\/p>\n

A Cast Built for Dynamic Chemistry<\/h3>\n

The main voice cast<\/a> brings together a compelling combination of established talent and rising stars. Tomokazu Sugita, one of the most recognizable voices in the industry with iconic roles including Gintoki Sakata from “Gintama”, Joseph Joestar from “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”, and Kyon from “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya<\/a>aa”, takes on the role of Kamui, the unconventional medium at the heart of the story. Sugita’s ability to deliver both comedic timing and dramatic weight makes him an ideal choice for a character who uses unorthodox methods to confront supernatural threats. Opposite him, Riko Aono voices Shizuka Mimitsuka, the psychic student who finds herself frequently possessed by spirits. The supporting cast includes MAO, Yuka Aisaka, Shiori Izawa, and Takumi Tsukumo, each bringing depth to the world of spirits and exorcists that the series builds around its central duo.<\/p>\n

The Story of Shizuka Mimitsuka and the Unconventional Exorcist Kamui<\/h2>\n

At its core, “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” follows the story of Shizuka Mimitsuka, a high school student who possesses psychic abilities that make her a frequent target for spirit possession. Her condition is not a rare occurrence but a persistent and disruptive part of her daily life, leaving her vulnerable to supernatural entities that seek to use her as a vessel. Her situation takes a turn when she crosses paths with Kamui, a famous medium whose reputation is built on methods that defy conventional exorcism practices. Kamui does not rely on traditional rituals or purification techniques; instead, he approaches spirit possession with a blend of psychological manipulation, direct confrontation, and unconventional tactics that often leave both the spirits and his clients bewildered. The series derives much of its appeal from the dynamic between Shizuka’s reluctant acceptance of her abilities and Kamui’s unorthodox approach to the supernatural, creating a partnership that is as comedic as it is effective against the spirits they encounter.<\/p>\n

A Supernatural Manga with Twelve Volumes of Established World-Building<\/h3>\n

The anime adapts the manga created by Eroki and illustrated by Shinko Konoshiro, a collaboration that began serialization in March 2020 on Shogakukan’s Manga ONE app. In the years since its debut, the manga has built a substantial readership, with twelve collected volumes published in Japan as of the most recent count. This volume count reflects the series’ steady growth and the depth of world-building that the creative team has developed over the course of its serialization. The manga has carved out a distinct niche within the supernatural genre, distinguishing itself through its character-driven storytelling and the specific brand of humor that arises from Kamui’s unconventional methods. The twelve volumes represent a significant body of source material, providing the anime adaptation with ample content to draw from while also suggesting that the series has built the kind of dedicated following that often translates into strong viewership for the television adaptation.<\/p>\n

The Deregula Label and WWWave Corporation’s Growing Anime Portfolio<\/h2>\n

The production of “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” under the Deregula label represents another step in WWWave Corporation’s expansion into anime production. The Deregula brand has been associated with series that often occupy the intersection of genre storytelling and character-focused narratives, and this latest project fits that profile. For the production team, the involvement of both Zero-G and ZG-R suggests a division of labor that leverages each studio’s specialties, with Zero-G likely handling the core character animation and comedic sequences while ZG-R contributes to the supernatural effects and atmospheric scenes that define the series’ visual identity. The choice to co-produce the series across two studios is becoming increasingly common in the industry, allowing for more efficient production schedules and the pooling of creative talent.<\/p>\n

What the Promotional Video Reveals About the Series’ Direction<\/h2>\n

The promotional video released on Monday does more than simply confirm the ending theme; it offers a window into the series’ pacing, visual tone, and the chemistry between its main characters. The animation style appears to balance fluid character movement with detailed background art that captures the everyday settings where supernatural events unfold. The color palette leans toward warm tones during character interactions and shifts to cooler, more saturated hues during spirit encounters, a visual strategy that helps distinguish the ordinary world from the supernatural realm that constantly intrudes upon it. The footage also suggests that the series will maintain the manga’s balance of humor and tension, with scenes of comedic interaction between Kamui and Shizuka intercut with moments of genuine supernatural threat. This tonal balance is often the most challenging aspect of adapting a supernatural comedy, and the promotional material indicates that the production team has prioritized maintaining the source material’s unique blend of genres.<\/p>\n

The Significance of the July Premiere Window<\/h2>\n

With the premiere set for July, “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” is positioned in the anime industry’s summer season, a period that traditionally sees a mix of long-running series continuing their runs and new adaptations vying for viewer attention. The July premiere date gives the production team the final months of spring to complete post-production work, including the integration of the ending theme and any final adjustments to the animation. For fans of the manga, the confirmation of the July window provides a concrete timeline for when they can expect to see the series in its animated form. The promotional campaign, which began with the character reveals and now includes the ending theme announcement, is following a standard but effective rollout strategy that builds anticipation incrementally as the premiere approaches.<\/p>\n

A Growing Trend in Supernatural Anime Adaptations<\/h2>\n

The anime industry has seen a sustained interest in supernatural comedies and action series, with recent years producing successful adaptations of manga that blend psychic abilities, spirit possession, and unconventional heroes. “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” joins this trend at a moment when the genre is enjoying strong audience engagement across both streaming platforms and traditional broadcast. What sets this series apart within the crowded supernatural landscape is its specific focus on the relationship between a psychic student and a medium who rejects conventional methods, creating narrative tension that goes beyond simple monster-of-the-week encounters. The manga’s twelve-volume run demonstrates that the concept has sustained interest over multiple story arcs, suggesting that the source material has evolved its world and characters beyond the initial premise. For viewers who have followed other supernatural adaptations in recent years, this series offers a distinct take on familiar elements, with Kamui’s unorthodox approach to exorcism providing a fresh angle on a well-established genre convention.<\/p>\n

The Creative Team Behind the Manga: Eroki and Shinko Konoshiro<\/h3>\n

The manga that serves as the foundation for the anime was created by Eroki and illustrated by Shinko Konoshiro, a partnership that has proven effective in building the series’ distinctive visual and narrative identity. The manga’s art style combines clean character designs with detailed supernatural elements, a combination that has translated well into the promotional materials released for the anime. The series’ success on the Manga ONE app highlights the platform’s role in discovering and nurturing new talent, with “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” representing one of the app’s notable success stories. The leap from digital serialization to anime adaptation is a significant milestone for any manga, and the twelve collected volumes represent a body of work that has demonstrated its ability to attract and retain readers over multiple years of serialization.<\/p>\n

Looking at the Full Picture: Cast, Crew, and Production Timeline<\/h2>\n

As the July premiere approaches, the full scope of the production is coming into focus. The main voice cast led by Tomokazu Sugita and Riko Aono provides a strong foundation for the character dynamics, while the supporting cast adds depth to the world of spirits and exorcists that surrounds the central duo. The scriptwriting by Motofumi Nakaj\u014d and character design by Toshinari Yamashita represent key creative decisions that will shape how the source material is adapted for the screen. The co-production arrangement between Zero-G and ZG-R, operating under the Deregula label owned by WWWave Corporation, brings together the resources and expertise needed to deliver a polished television series. With the ending theme now confirmed and the promotional campaign actively releasing new materials, the production is clearly on track for its July debut, and the coming weeks are likely to bring additional announcements regarding streaming platforms, broadcast details, and any additional cast members or staff.<\/p>\n

The anime adaptation of “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” is shaping up to be one of the more distinctive supernatural series of the summer season, combining a proven manga source material with a strong creative team and an iconic musical performer. KOTOKO’s “SAY-BYE!!” ending theme adds another layer of appeal to a production that is already drawing attention for its cast and premise. For fans of the manga and newcomers alike, the promotional materials released so far suggest a series that understands the strengths of its source material and is working to translate them effectively into animation. As July draws nearer, the anime community will be watching closely for further updates on what promises to be an entertaining addition to the supernatural comedy genre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The highly anticipated anime adaptation of the supernatural manga “KAMUI: He’s Behind You” (originally titled “Ushiro no Shomen Kamui-sanaaa”) has officially revealed its ending theme, setting the stage for a July premiere that is already generating considerable buzz within the anime community. A new promotional video released on Monday showcases the energetic ending song “SAY-BYE!!”, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":85429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cards.overcentral.com\/cards\/en\/52187.png","fifu_image_alt":"KAMUI Anime Unveils KOTOKO's SAY-BYE Ending Theme in July","footnotes":""},"categories":[32908],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pop-culture"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cards.overcentral.com\/cards\/en\/52187.png","fifu_image_alt":"KAMUI Anime Unveils KOTOKO's SAY-BYE Ending Theme in July","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52187"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52187\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}