WIT STUDIO (Known for animating Attack on Titan) has officially announced a brand-new original TV anime series titled LONA, which is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2027.
Alongside the announcement, the studio has released the anime’s first teaser trailer, three teaser visuals, and introduced the main cast and production staff. Unlike many of WIT STUDIO’s recent projects based on existing manga or novels, LONA is an entirely original story.
The official teaser trailer and the 3 key visuals have been released:
Story Introduction
Set in a broken world in the not-so-distant future, humanity faces an unprecedented threat.
“We’re being attacked by humans who should be dead.”
To investigate the mysterious incidents, the government establishes a specialized organization known as the Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis, or simply LONA.
The story follows researcher Ao and her apprentice Sango, who attempt to uncover the truth by analyzing the brains of the deceased.
The official introduction reads:
What do people think of, and what do they leave behind before they die? Countless memories engraved in the neural circuits. What did they see in those deep depths?
Main Cast And Staff Revealed
The main voice cast has also been announced.
- Ao — Minako Kotobuki
- Sango — Anna Nagase
- Mugen — Fuka Izumi
The anime is based on an original story and screenplay by Akiko Nogi, while Takashi Katagiri serves as the director.
The main staff includes:
- Original Story & Screenplay: Akiko Nogi
- Director: Takashi Katagiri
- Original Character Design: Posuka Demizu
- Character Design: Yudai Iino
- Sub-Character Design: Ayumi Yamada, Keisuke Okura
- Image Design: syo5
- Art Setting & Mechanical Design: Satoshi Takabatake, Kazushi Fujii
- Art Director: Yumiko Kuga
- CG Director: Shigenori Hirozumi
- Directors of Photography: Kentaro Minegishi, Miori Miyagi
- Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose (editz)
- Color Design: Kanami Tanaka
- Sound Director: Shoji Hata
- Music: Hiroko Sebu
- Animation Producer: Kazuki Yamanaka
- Planning & Animation Production: WIT STUDIO
Staff Share Their Thoughts
Following the announcement, WIT STUDIO President George Wada shared a message about the project.
So many wonderful people have come together to bring Akiko Nogi’s story to life. Through research conducted at SPring-8 in Harima, Hyogo Prefecture, this story was born—one about people trying to solve enormous mysteries by analyzing incredibly tiny things. Every new piece of animation that comes together continues to exceed my expectations, making me think, “This is really amazing!” As WIT STUDIO celebrates its 15th anniversary, we are excited to present our original TV anime, LONA, to everyone.
George Wada
Original creator and screenwriter Akiko Nogi also commented on the years-long production process.
Together with the incredibly talented Director Katagiri, the energetic producer Kazuki Yamanaka, the reliable President George Wada, and the entire WIT STUDIO team, we’ve finally reached this point. Since 2020, the amount of meetings and production work has been almost nauseatingly enormous, and the number of staff involved has been massive. Creating an anime is truly an overwhelming process. We wanted to create something that only animation could express, so we chose the large-scale synchrotron radiation facility as the setting and challenged ourselves to explore both the human brain and the world. Stay alive. We hope you’ll look forward to it.
Akiko Nogi
Director Takashi Katagiri expressed his excitement about finally bringing the project to life.
Something that happens only once in a lifetime happened to me—I got to create an anime from a screenplay written by Akiko Nogi.
I think many people have quietly hoped for something like this. I was one of them.
I still remember the excitement I felt the first time I read the script, as if it were yesterday.
And honestly, I’m jealous of everyone who will get to experience this anime for the first time.
LONA is truly something special. Please look forward to it.
Takashi Katagiri
With an original sci-fi mystery, an experienced creative team, and WIT STUDIO celebrating its 15th anniversary, LONA is already shaping up to be one of the studio’s most ambitious original television anime projects.
More information, including additional cast members, theme songs, and a specific release date, is expected to be announced in the coming months. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more updates.
Source: Official Website
