Kusunoki no Bannin
Japanese novel series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kusunoki no Bannin (クスノキの番人; lit. 'The Camphorwood Custodian') is a Japanese novel series written by Keigo Higashino. The series began publication by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha in March 2020, with three volumes being released as of May 2025. An anime film adaptation of the first novel produced by A-1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studio premiered in Japan in January 2026.
| Kusunoki no Bannin | |
First novel volume cover (hardcover edition) | |
| クスノキの番人 | |
|---|---|
| Novel series | |
| Written by | Keigo Higashino |
| Published by | Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha |
| Imprint | Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha Bunko |
| Original run | March 17, 2020 – present |
| Volumes | 3 |
| Anime film | |
| Directed by | Tomohiko Itō |
| Written by | Taku Kishimoto |
| Music by | Yugo Kanno |
| Studio |
|
| Released | January 30, 2026 |
| Runtime | 113 minutes |
Plot
Characters
- Reito Naoi (直井玲斗, Naoi Reito)
- Voiced by: Fumiya Takahashi[1]
- Chifune Yanagisawa (柳澤千舟, Yanagisawa Chifune)
- Voiced by: Yūki Amami[1]
- Yumi Saji (佐治寿明, Saji Yumi)
- Voiced by: Asuka Saitō[2]
- Sōki Ōba (大場壮貴, Ōba Sōki)
- Voiced by: Ryubi Miyase[2]
- Toshiaki Saji (佐治優美, Saji Toshiaki)
- Voiced by: Takao Osawa[2]
- Masakazu Yanagisawa (柳澤将和, Yanagisawa Masakazu)
- Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu[3]
- Katsushige Yanagisawa (柳澤勝重, Yanagisawa Katsushige)
- Voiced by: Miou Tanaka[3]
- Tōichirō Ōba (大場藤一郎, Ōba Tōichirō)
- Voiced by: Akira Kamiya[3]
Media
Novels
| No. | Title | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kusunoki no Bannin (クスノキの番人) | March 17, 2020 (hardcover)[4] April 7, 2023 (paperback)[5] | 978-4-408-53756-6 (hardcover) 978-4-408-55803-5 (paperback) |
| 2 | Kusunoki no Megami (クスノキの女神) | May 23, 2024[6] | 978-4-408-53856-3 |
Short novel
| No. | Title | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kusunoki no Urawaza (クスノキの裏技) | January 30, 2026 (Special gifts for attendees of animated films)[7] | — |
Picture book
| No. | Title | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shōnen to Kusunoki (少年とクスノキ) | May 1, 2025[8] | 978-4-408-53878-5 |
Anime film
An anime film adaptation of the first novel was announced on April 8, 2025.[9] The film is produced by A-1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studio and directed by Tomohiko Itō, with Taku Kishimoto writing the screenplay and Tsubasa Yamaguchi, Akiko Itagaki designing the characters, and Yugo Kanno composing the music.[2] It was released in Japan by Aniplex on January 30, 2026.[1] The theme song is "Katawara nite Tsukiyo" (傍らにて月夜; 'Moonlit Night By My Side') performed by Uru.[3]
Reception
The first novel has over one million copies in circulation.[9]