Rooster Fighter
Rooster Fighter (Japanese: ニワトリ・ファイター, Hepburn: Niwatori Faitā) is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Shū Sakuratani. It has been serialized on Hero's Inc.'s Comiplex manga website since December 2020. An anime television series adaptation produced by Sanzigen and Viz Media Hero's was released internationally from March to May 2026 before airing in Japan from April to June of the same year.
Also recorded as Niwatori Fighter
Rooster Fighter
- Date
- 2020.
- Language
- Japanese.
- Genre
- action anime and manga.
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Documentary summary
Rooster Fighter (Japanese: ニワトリ・ファイター, Hepburn: Niwatori Faitā) is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Shū Sakuratani. It has been serialized on Hero's Inc.'s Comiplex manga website since December 2020. An anime television series adaptation produced by Sanzigen and Viz Media Hero's was released internationally from March to May 2026 before airing in Japan from April to June of the same year.
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In this article
Plot
Plot
Three years ago, mutant demons began appearing in Japan. While some are harmless or helpful towards humans, others are troublesome. Created from humans suffering from extreme emotional distress or unresolved trauma, these mutant demons began to wreak havoc as they began to evolve to be more intelligent and dangerous. A lone rooster named Keiji wanders around various cities of Japan while defeating mutant demons he encounters. His ultimate goal is to find and kill the mutant dubbed "The White Demon" who killed his sister, Sara, to avenge her death.
Main characters
Main characters
Keiji (ケイジ) Voiced by: Kenta Miyake (Japanese); Patrick Seitz (English) A self-described "migratory bird" who vows to defeat the demon that killed his sister. He wanders around Japan and has a policy to never stay longer than necessary. Keiji has a strict code of conduct that he follows regarding respect and appreciation. Despite despising children or any youngsters that he deemed disrespectful or annoying, he has a soft spot for some of them, like Piyoko. His abilities include a powerful Cock-a-doodle-doo that induces resonance and great aim when throwing items with his beak. Elizabeth (エリザベス, Erizabesu) Voiced by: Mariko Honda (Japanese); Luci Christian (English) Adopted into a wealthy family shortly after her birth, Elizabeth is a hen who lived a luxurious yet dissatisfying life when she witnessed a demon wreak havoc on her city and nearly kill her and her family. It was Keiji who rescued them, and she immediately fell in love with him, only to be abandoned right after their short affair. She ended up resenting Keiji for abandoning her and initially trained herself to get revenge against him; however, as she witnessed more mutant demons kill off her loved ones after Keiji's departure, she began training to defeat them for the next six months. After reuniting with Keiji, she decides to join his efforts in fighting against the White Demon. Elizabeth fights with a lightning staff and is shown to be tech-savvy. Piyoko (ピヨコ) Voiced by: Shiori Izawa (Japanese); Kimoy Lee (English) Raised by a yakuza to initially be sold with other chicks, Piyoko became a beloved pet instead before witnessing her owner turn into a mutant demon. Witnessing Keiji defeat and save her owner, she decides to follow him on his journey to defeat the White Demon, and Keiji reluctantly lets her join him after she helped nurse him back to health. She is attached to him, believing that she will marry him once she is older, and was given the name Piyoko by him after asking for a name. She has the word "Duty" (仁義, Jingi) written on her back after asking her former owner to give her a tattoo similar to his. For reasons unknown, Piyoko does not age, as she remains in her chick form after travelling with Keiji and Elizabeth for months. Morio (モリオ) Voiced by: Mitsuaki Kanuka (Japanese); Roger Rose (English) A friendly demon who was manifested by a middle-aged man who was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, but was abandoned when his human host learned of his misdiagnosis. After constantly being attacked by locals, Morio shrank to human size and has lived his life as a hermit when he meets and befriends Keiji. Keisuke (ケイスケ) Voiced by: Tomohiro Ōno (Japanese); Robbie Daymond (English) Keiji's younger, crested half-brother who matches him in strength. He joins Keiji on his quest in order to rescue their father after he is captured by demons.
Other characters
Other characters
One-Eyed Silver (片目の銀, Katame no Gin) A one-eyed sea turtle with a personal vendetta against birds after witnessing a flock of gulls eat his siblings after hatching; he is initially hostile towards Keiji. However, he helps him defeat a demon at sea after realizing that Keiji was not like the seagulls he despised. He lets Keiji off to go avenge his sister but makes him promise that they will have a proper battle once he returns. Zena (ゼナ) An elderly toucan taken from his home in Brazil and now overseeing the Southern Birds exhibit in the zoo, he took Keiji into the exhibit after finding him unconscious in the rain. He was a beloved member of the community and protected his bird family from a demon attack before succumbing to his injuries. Keiji took one of his feathers, hoping to return it to Zena's sisters one day. Sara (サラ) Voiced by: Hikaru Tono (Japanese); Erin Yvette (English) Sara is the sister of Keiji. It is Sara's death that led Keiji to avenge her; however, Keiji noted that the bird used by the White Demon resembles her. Gakuma (嶽磨) / White Demon (白鬼獣, Hakkijū) A white-skinned and four-horned demon. The mutant is responsible for killing Keiji's sister, Sara. Known as the "White Demon", he is a giant that also has a fire-like bird that it uses to burn what it wants. He also has a circular mark on its neck, which Keiji uses to identify it. He is later revealed to be the leader of all demons, and to have the human form of a young man named Gakuma. Kugone (クゴネ) Voiced by: Yūko Kaida (Japanese); Anjali Kunapaneni (English) Gakuma's right-hand woman who is creating demons all over Japan on his orders. Yuji (裕二, Yūji) Voiced by: Jun Kasama (Japanese); Alejandro Saab (English) Hikari (ヒカリ) Voiced by: Natsumi Fujiwara (Japanese); Zeno Robinson (English) Keizan (ケイザン) Voiced by: Akio Otsuka (Japanese); Kirk Thornton (English) Keiji, Keisuke and Sara's father.
Manga
Manga
Written and illustrated by Shū Sakuratani, Rooster Fighter started on Hero's Inc.'s Comiplex manga website on December 18, 2020. The series' first tankōbon volume was released on May 1, 2021. As of April 3, 2026, twelve volumes have been released. The manga is licensed in North America by Viz Media, with the first volume released on August 16, 2022.
Anime
Anime
In July 2024 at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that the manga would receive an anime television series adaptation in collaboration with Hero's Inc. The series was produced and licensed outside of Asia by Viz Media under the collaborative label Viz Media Hero's, while Sanzigen handled the animation. Sola Entertainment contributed as an associate producer (with the company's CEO, Joseph Chou, serving as its representative). It was directed by Daisuke Suzuki, with Hiroshi Seko handling series composition and music composed by Tetsuya Takahashi. The 12-episode series premiered English dubbed in the United States on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block from March 15 to May 31, 2026, before streaming the same day on Hulu (in the United States) and Disney+ (internationally) shortly after each linear broadcast. The streaming release includes the Japanese subtitled version. It also premiered in Japan on Tokyo MX, Cartoon Network Japan and BS NTV approximately three weeks later from April 6 to June 22, 2026. The opening theme song is "What's a Hero?", performed by Daruma Rollin', while the ending theme song is "We're Loose Stars", performed by Tetsuya Takahashi. Medialink licensed the series in the Asia-Pacific for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel and Crunchyroll.
Reception
Since its premiere, Rooster Fighter has been popular abroad, especially in Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Spain, and Argentina, with the manga receiving translation publication offers from more than 12 countries and regions. Reviewing the first eight volumes of the series, Bolts of Anime News Network found the story predictable and that it does not do anything new, but praised the art and fight choreography, commenting that the series treats itself very seriously in the best way. In 2026, the anime series was nominated at the 6th Astra TV Awards in the Best Anime Series category, while Patrick Seitz was nominated for Best Lead Voice-Over Performance for his English dub role as Keiji.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Xavi. ¡Ivrea publicará Rooster Fighter!. ¡Veremos a futuro! El blog de Ivrea España. Editorial Ivrea. April 29, 2021.
- 2.Tai, Anita. Rooster Fighter Anime Announces Cast Members. Anime News Network. October 19, 2024.
- 3.Mateo, Alex. Rooster Fighter Anime Reveals English Dub Trailer, Cast. Anime News Network. October 10, 2025.
- 4.Hodgkins, Crystalyn. Rooster Fighter Anime Reveals Spring 2026 Debut, New Trailer (Updated). Anime News Network. July 5, 2025.
- 5.Loo, Egan. Rooster Fighter Anime Casts Yūko Kaida, Jun Kasama, Natsumi Fujiwara. Anime News Network. August 22, 2025.
- 6.Rooster Fighter. @erin_yvette will voice Sara — Keiji's spirited sister and the reason that keeps him fighting! You've heard her as Tailmon in Digimon Adventure: and she'll be Ichika Kishimonji in Black Torch 🐈⬛Get ready to see her story in the Rooster Fighter anime 🐔 @VIZMedia @shu_sakuratani @niwatorifighte1 @adultswim. 1990495154516435367. November 17, 2025.
- 7.Rooster Fighter. @hereliesanjali will voice the mysterious and terrifying Kugone! You might remember her as Yuki from Jujutsu Kaisen, and Lemon from Mashle 🏋️♀️ Brace yourself… this menace lands soon in the #RoosterFighter anime! 🐔 @VIZMedia @shu_sakuratani @niwatorifighte1. 1982869908439621737. October 27, 2025.
- 8.Rooster Fighter. @KaggyFilms enters the fray as the hulking devil, Yuji! 💪 He also voiced Gabimaru in Hell's Paradise, and Izumi Miyamura in Horimiya 🗣️ Watch him duke it out in the Rooster Fighter anime 🐓 @VIZMedia @shu_sakuratani @niwatorifighte1. 1987943339468222595. November 10, 2025.
- 9.Rooster Fighter. @childishgamzeno descends as Hikari — the intimidating devil!👹 He's known for voicing Akira in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, and Keigo in My Hero Academia 🪶 Prepare for chaos to rise in the Rooster Fighter anime! @VIZMedia @adultswim @shu_sakuratani @niwatorifighte1. 1985421725417308594. November 3, 2025.
- 10.Rooster Fighter. Kirk Thornton appears as Keizan, father to Keiji AND Keisuke 😲 He's known for voicing Askeladd in Vinland Saga, and Jin in Samurai Champloo 🗡️ This cock daddy arrives soon in the Rooster Fighter anime 🐔 @VOKirk @VIZMedia @shu_sakuratani @niwatorifighte1. 1993031867000398104. November 24, 2025.
- 11.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. December 18, 2020.
- 12.Morrissy, Kim. New Battle Action Manga Follows Rooster Who Saves the World. Anime News Network. December 20, 2020.
- 13.Hodgkins, Crystalyn. Viz Announces Summer 2022 Book Releases Including Junji Ito's The Liminal Zone, Takashi Shiina's Yashahime Manga. Anime News Network. October 10, 2021.
- 14.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. May 1, 2021.
- 15.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, August 14–20. Anime News Network. August 16, 2022.
- 16.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. October 5, 2021.
- 17.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, November 13–19. Anime News Network. November 15, 2022.
- 18.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. March 4, 2022.
- 19.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 19–25. Anime News Network. February 23, 2023.
- 20.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. August 5, 2022.
- 21.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, August 13–19. Anime News Network. August 15, 2023.
- 22.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. February 17, 2023.
- 23.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 17–23. Anime News Network. December 20, 2023.
- 24.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. August 29, 2023.
- 25.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, June 16–22. Anime News Network. June 21, 2024.
- 26.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. January 29, 2024.
- 27.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 16–22. Anime News Network. February 21, 2025.
- 28.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. August 5, 2024.
- 29.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, August 17–23. Anime News Network. August 21, 2025.
- 30.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. January 6, 2025.
- 31.Mateo, Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 18–24. Anime News Network. January 22, 2026.
- 32.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. July 4, 2025.
- 33.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. January 5, 2026.
- 34.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. April 3, 2026.
- 35.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie.
- 36.Mateo, Alex. Rooster Fighter Manga Gets Anime. Anime News Network. July 25, 2024.
- 37.Mateo, Alex. Rooster Fighter Anime's English Trailer Reveals March 14 Debut on Toonami. Anime News Network. February 4, 2026.
- 38.Tai, Anita. Disney+, Hulu to Stream Rooster Fighter Anime on March 15. Anime News Network. February 18, 2026.
- 39.Cayanan, Joanna. Rooster Fighter Anime Reveals April 5 Japan Debut. Anime News Network. February 5, 2026.
- 40.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. February 5, 2026.
- 41.Tokyo MX.
- 42.Mateo, Alex. Rooster Fighter Anime's English-Subbed Trailer Previews Opening Theme Song. Anime News Network. March 2, 2026.
- 43.Tokyo MX.
- 44.Pineda, Rafael Antonio. Ani-One Asia Licenses Oshi no Ko Season 3, Sentenced to Be a Hero, Rooster Fighter Anime. Anime News Network. October 30, 2025.
- 45.Cardine, Kyle. Rooster Fighter Anime Streams on Crunchyroll in India, Southeast Asia Starting March 15. Crunchyroll. March 11, 2026.
- 46.Rooster Fighter on Adult Swim. The Futon Critic.
- 47.Sutōrī Anime "Niwatori Faitā" Kōshiki Saito. niwatori-fighter.net.
- 48.Adult Swim Schedule. Adult Swim.
- 49.On'ea Anime "Niwatori Faitā" Kōshiki Saito. niwatori-fighter.net.
- 50.Natasha, Inc. Comic Natalie. May 3, 2021.
- 51.Bolts. Rooster Fighter Volume 1–8 Manga Review. January 1, 2026.
- 52.Pineda, Rafael Antonio. Astra Awards Nominate Witch Hat Atelier, Dandelion, Sakamoto Days, JoJo Part 7, Mao, Rooster Fighter for Best Anime. Anime News Network. May 28, 2026.
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