Science Saru, the acclaimed Japanese animation studio behind Netflix's "Scott Pilgrim Takes Off," is positioning "Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" as a prestige historical anime for 2026. Directors Naoko Yamada and Abel Góngora unveiled the project at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, where they discussed the studio's ambitious vision for the series.
The show will arrive on streaming platforms internationally this summer, marking Science Saru's latest venture into historical storytelling with animation. Yamada, known for her distinctive visual approach to character-driven narratives, and Góngora bring complementary directorial sensibilities to the project. The title references Mongolia's cultural history, suggesting the anime explores a specific historical period or figure through a supernatural lens, given the "witch" framing.
Science Saru has built reputation for experimental, visually striking work that pushes anime beyond conventional storytelling. "Scott Pilgrim Takes Off" demonstrated the studio's ability to subvert genre expectations while maintaining narrative sophistication. "Jaadugar" appears to follow a similar trajectory, blending historical grounding with fantastical elements.
The international streaming rollout signals confidence in the project's crossover appeal. Anime studios increasingly target global audiences from development stages, and Science Saru's partnership with major platforms reflects the growing investment in anime as prestige content. The Annecy festival appearance underscores the project's positioning within animation circles as something beyond typical seasonal releases.
Historical anime remains underexplored territory compared to contemporary or fantasy-driven entries. Projects like "Vinland Saga" proved audiences embrace meticulously researched period pieces when paired with compelling creative visions. "Jaadugar" aims to occupy similar space, combining Mongolian cultural history with anime's visual storytelling strengths.
The summer release