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WIT Studio Reveals Original TV Anime LONA for Spring 2027

This marks the first original TV anime from screenwriter Akiko Nogi, best known for live-action dramas, and reunites key SPY×FAMILY staff at WIT Studio for a brain-science mystery that has been in development for six years.

Key Facts

  • WIT Studio announced the original TV anime LONA, premiering in spring 2027.
  • Screenwriter Akiko Nogi, known for live-action dramas Unnatural and MIU404, writes her first original TV anime.
  • Posuka Demizu, creator of The Promised Neverland, provides original character designs.
  • The story follows researcher Ao and trainee Sango at the Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis (LONA) as they analyze brains of the deceased.
  • The project began development in 2020, according to animation producer Kazuki Yamanaka.

Reporting from 8 sources: Anime News Network, Eiga Natalie, Comic Natalie, Denfaminicogamer, and 4 more.

WIT Studio Reveals Original TV Anime LONA for Spring 2027

WIT Studio announced a new original television anime titled LONA, set to premiere in spring 2027. The project brings together screenwriter Akiko Nogi (Unnatural, MIU404, Last Mile) and director Takashi Katagiri (SPY×FAMILY Code: White). Posuka Demizu, creator of The Promised Neverland, provides original character designs. The anime is described as a brain science adventure set in a near-future world where people are attacked by the dead. The story follows researcher Ao and trainee Sango at the Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis, or LONA, as they analyze the brains of the deceased to solve the mystery. The setting is modeled after the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility at RIKEN in Hyogo Prefecture. The main cast includes Minako Kotobuki as Ao, Anna Nagase as Sango, and Fuka Izumi as Mugen, the facility's mascot. Music is composed by Yuko Sebu. The project began development in 2020, according to animation producer Kazuki Yamanaka. Alongside the announcement, WIT Studio released three teaser visuals and two trailer videos.

Composer Yuko Sebu said she was invited to the project by Nogi at the Academy Awards ceremony. "What a wonderful coincidence!" Sebu said in a statement. "Surrounded by the WIT STUDIO team and director Katagiri, who are all enjoying making the work, I'm having so much fun!"

Animation producer Kazuki Yamanaka said the project began in 2020 and that production is still ongoing. "We're thinking and challenging ourselves daily, led by Katagiri-kun and Iino-san, to not lose to Nogi-san's script power," Yamanaka said. "Happily, many strong and creative staff have gathered." He added that the team has 10 more months of production before the spring 2027 broadcast.

WIT STUDIO president Joji Wada noted that the anime arrives in the studio's 15th year. "Each completed piece of footage exceeds my imagination, and I'm amazed daily, thinking 'That's really good!'" Wada said.

The three teaser visuals were posted in countdown format on X from the accounts of WIT STUDIO, Nogi, and the official LONA account. One visual focuses on trainee researcher Sango with researcher Ao reflected in her eye. Another depicts the LONA facility interior. The third features a key object central to the story.

Character designer Yudai Iino said he was surprised and anxious when asked to join the project but became positive as he deepened his understanding of the work. Sub-character designers are Ayumi Yamada and Keisuke Okura. The full staff list includes art director Yumiko Kuga, 3DCG director Shigenori Hirozumi, and sound director Shoji Hata.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 8 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

LONA WIT STUDIO 野木亜紀子 片桐崇 出水ぽすか

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