The anime film adaptation of The Camphorwood Custodian novel (Kusunoki no Bannin, or The Keeper of the Camphor Tree with the upcoming English release) has gotten a teaser trailer, providing a slight preview of the premise and the movie’s visuals.
Also revealed were a January 30, 2026 JST premiere date, a teaser visual, Fumiya Takahashi and Yuki Amami‘s castings, and more production credits:
• Scriptwriter: Taku Kishimoto (Sakamoto Days series composer)
• Character designer: Tsubasa Yamaguchi (Blue Period manga artist, SUNTORY Sui Gin “Midori to Utaeba” CM)
• Character designer: Akiko Itagaki (Lonely Castle in the Mirror character design cooperation)
• Background art director: Hiroshi Takiguchi (Weathering with You, the upcoming ChaO)
Additionally, the animation production credits now lists A-1 Pictures‘ recently created Psyde Kick Studio label along with the main studio’s name.
Tomohiko Ito (Sword Art Online seasons 1-2, Hello World) was previously announced as the director.
The Camphorwood Custodian novel by award-winning author Keigo Higashino was first released in 2020 in hardcover format by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, before getting a paperback release in 2023. The premise sees protagonist Reito getting into legal trouble after attempting revenge for his wrongful termination. However, he is offered a chance at freedom if he is willing to fulfill the request of a certain client. This client turns out to be his aunt, who asks him to be the custodian of a camphor tree.
There have previously been live-action adaptations, including non-Japanese ones, of a number of Higashino’s other works, such as The Miracles of the Namiya General Store and Himitsu.
Source: @movie_kusunoki
