What is Sarazanmai?#
Sarazanmai is a surreal series that follows three second-year middle school students—Kazuki Yasaka, Toi Kuji, and Enta Jinai. Their lives take a bizarre turn when they encounter Keppi, a self-proclaimed heir to the Kappa Kingdom. Keppi forcibly removes their shirikodama (a mythical organ) and transforms the trio into kappas.
To return to their human forms, Keppi informs them that they must “connect in ’that way’” and collect the shirikodama of zombies. Parallel to this strange quest, the story features two police officers, Reo Niiboshi and Mabu Akutsu, who are operating out of their local police box.
If you are ready to dive into this eccentric world, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
Yes, if you are looking for a self-contained experience, the anime provides a complete narrative. While there is supplementary material available, such as manga and novels, viewers who watch only the anime will receive a satisfying conclusion to the central plot involving the three students and their quest to regain their humanity.
Who is Sarazanmai For?#
This series is best suited for audiences who enjoy surrealism, absurd humor, and supernatural elements. With its unique premise involving kappas, zombies, and the mythical shirikodama, it appeals to those who like stories that blend the mundane (like middle school life and police work) with the completely unexpected.
Whether you are interested in the weirdness of Keppi’s demands or the dynamic between officers Reo and Mabu, Sarazanmai offers a distinct flavor of storytelling. If you enjoy the series and want to support our research into these strange titles, feel free to support us on Ko-fi.
Recommended Order#
Depending on how deep you want to dive into the Sarazanmai universe, there are a few ways to approach the content. You can refer to the relationship tree below the article for a visual guide to these connections.
Release Order#
For those who want to experience the series as it was generally introduced to the public, start with the Sarazanmai anime (2019). Following the anime, you can explore the various manga releases and novels that were licensed for North American audiences.
Completionist Order#
If you want every single piece of the puzzle, we recommend the following path:
- Sarazanmai Anime: The core experience.
- Sarazanmai: Reo and Mabu Manga: A spinoff focusing on the police officers.
- Sarazanmai: The Official Manga Anthology: A collection of related stories.
- Sarazanmai Novels: Further expanding the lore.
Source Material Path#
For those who don’t mind reading while watching, you can start with the Sarazanmai: Reo and Mabu manga, which was serialized between 2018 and 2019, before moving into the anime and the subsequent anthology manga.
You can buy the manga or light novels here to complete your collection.
Useful Extras#
Beyond the screen and page, Sarazanmai expanded into other media, including a stage play that debuted in November 2019. For fans of the voice acting, the English dub features talented cast members such as Alejandro Saab, Justin Briner, and Ricco Fajardo.
If you’ve fallen in love with the characters and the world, you might want to buy some Sarazanmai merchandise to show your support.
Sarazanmai • anime • 2019-04-11
└─(spinoff)→ Sarazanmai: Reo and Mabu • manga • 2018-05 to 2019-03 (serialized in Rutile)
└─(related)→ Sarazanmai: The Official Manga Anthology • manga • 2020-01-31
