So, we’re going to be heading to hell a bit earlier than expected.

The latest issue of Kodansha’s Nakayoshi magazine (April 2017) unveiled the first details on the upcoming Hell Girl (Jigoku Shoujo) anime series. The title will run for twelve episodes, with six being new stories and six being “reminiscence” throwback episodes.

Hell Girl‘s fourth season will hit Japanese TV in July, with the following networks carrying the show:

  • BS11
  • Gunma TV
  • MBS
  • Tochigi TV
  • Tokyo MX

Several major cast members will return to reprise their roles, including:

  • Ai Enma: Mamiko Noto
  • Wanyuudou: Takayuki Sugo
  • Hone-Onna: Takako Honda
  • Ren Ichimoku: Masaya Matsukaze
  • Yamawaro: Hekiru Shiina
  • Kikuri: Kanako Sakai

In addition, Misaki Watada will play Michiru.

Takahiro Omori (Hell Girl, Baccano!) will direct the new series at Studio Deen, with Mariko Oka (Hell Girl, Jing: King of Bandits) providing character designs. Kenichi Kanemaki (Hell Girl: Three Vessels, Natsume’s Book of Friends) is in charge of series composition, while Yasuharu Takanashi (Hell Girl, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal) will compose the soundtrack.

Hiroshi Watanabe is credited with the original concept.

Hell Girl began life as an original series from Studio Deen and Aniplex. The first season, which aired in the Fall 2005 broadcast season, was directed by Takahiro Omori (Baccano!, Durarara!!), with Mariko Oka (Jing: King of Bandits, First Love Monster) providing character designs.

Since the initial season’s airing, Hell Girl has received two anime sequels, as well as a manga adaptation by Miyuki Etoo. Etoo’s manga has been running in Nakayoshi magazine since October 2005, and spans nine collected volumes.

Funimation released the first Hell Girl anime on DVD, while Sentai Filmworks released seasons 2 and 3. Defunct publisher Del Rey held the license to the Hell Girl manga, and shipped seven books to retailers.

Source: Anime News Network