Here’s the synopsis for LIAR GAME.
A Mysterious Invitation.
One Hundred Million Yen.
The Game Begins.
A Mysterious Invitation. One Hundred Million Yen. The Game Begins.
College student Nao Kanzaki suddenly receives a strange letter and a suitcase containing 100 million yen.
She's been chosen to participate in the LIAR GAME — a high-stakes psychological battle where lies, deception, and betrayal reign supreme.
Naïve and painfully honest, Nao quickly finds herself cornered.
To survive, she turns to Shinichi Akiyama, a brilliant former con artist with unmatched intellect.
As they dive deeper into the twisted game, the two must outwit opponents in a world where trusting others could be fatal.
In a game built on lies, can honesty prevail?
Shinobu Kaitani’s masterful suspense manga "LIAR GAME," serialized in Weekly Young Jump from 2005 to 2015, is finally getting its first-ever TV anime adaptation! In the 20 years since Chapter 1 was first released, this ruthless story of lies and strategy exposing the light and dark sides of the human psyche has enthralled readers around the world, cementing itself as landmark work in the genres of psychological suspense and high-stakes mind games. LIAR GAME has continued to generate hype across various forms of media over the years, including a live-action drama in 2007, a live-action film in 2010, and a stage play in 2023. Now, its long-awaited anime adaptation will be helmed by Madhouse Inc., the animation studio behind international hits such as Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Chi: On the Movements of the Earth. With a skillfully crafted mystery as the story's core, the ultimate psychological battleground as its backdrop, and an unforgettable duo of our painfully honest protagonist and former genius swindler who dare to face this dangerous lie-filled world, every beloved element will be brought to life in this brand-new anime adaptation of LIAR GAME!
Here’s the staff cast introduction
for LIAR GAME.
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Original Creator
Shinobu Kaitani
COMMENT
(Shueisha Young Jump Comics Digital Edition)
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Chief Director
Yuzo Sato
COMMENT
Director
Asami Kawano
COMMENT
Series Composition & Screenwriter
Tatsuhiko Urahata
COMMENT
Character Design
Kei Tsuchiya
COMMENT
Sub Character Design
Ai Yokoyama
Color Setting
Terumi Nakauchi
Art Board
Hideyuki Ueno
Art Setting
Shinji Sugiyama
Photograph Direction
Hironobu Hatanaka
VFX Supervisor
Michiya Kato
Editing
Mariko Tsukatsune
Music
Yugo Kanno
COMMENT
Sound Director
Kisuke Koizumi
COMMENT
Sound Effects
Naoto Yamaya
Sound Production
Bit grooove
promotionAnimation Production
Madhouse
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Nao Kanzaki
Saya Hitomi
COMMENT
Shinichi Akiyama
Takeo Otsuka
COMMENT
Original Creator
Shinobu Kaitani
This year marks the 20 years since the first appearance of LIAR GAME in Young Jump, and this anniversary serves as the announcement of the anime adaptation of the series. At the time, it began serialization with the theme of "The importance of trust" but in the 20 years since its release we have gone through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the explosive rise of social media, and an increasingly distrustful world...I feel that now, the theme of my series is more relevant than ever.
And so I feel it is fitting that in this era we get the LIAR GAME anime.
Whether you’re someone who feels nostalgic for this series or someone discovering it for the first time, I believe this story will resonate with you in some way.
I hope you look forward to it.
Chief Director
Yuzo Sato
I remember that LIAR GAME was a big deal back when I first watched the live-action TV drama adaptation. Then before I knew it, 18 years had passed, and I'm still shocked by that. I guess I've gotten older too.
I had worked previously on the anime adaptation of Mr. Kaitani's other work titled One Outs, so I am happy that we have another chance to connect like this, working on the adaptation of his most representative work LIAR GAME. I had a fantastic time working on One Outs, and I hope we can have as much fun working on this series. I'll do my best! This is the first anime adaptation of one of Mr. Kaitani's original works in a long time, and we hope you will all be looking forward to it!
Director
Asami Kawano
I thought the core of this work would be in all these strategic mind games and deception, but I found the real appeal in the drama, characters, and the relationships they have with each other. With the solid support of my amazing senior colleagues, I’ll give it my all to make sure that appeal shines through.I promise to always give 100%!
But I’m already overwhelmed by the numbers, more numbers, and and even more dialogue. Help me, Akiyama-san! You love making these characters talk, huh!! Just because you’re smart doesn't mean we have to suffer!
Series Composition & Screenwriter
Tatsuhiko Urahata
I’ve been a huge fan of LIAR GAME since its original serialization, so it’s an honor to be involved in this anime adaptation.
In this work, I hope viewers will enjoy the many games the characters get trapped in, the clever strategies they create to overcome them, and the growth of our protagonist, Nao. Please look forward to it!
Character Design
Kei Tsuchiya
It's such an honor to get to participate in the anime adaptation of LIAR GAME. Whenever I start design work on a new series, I'm brimming with excitement. I swear to do everything in my power to respect Mr. Kaitani’s artistic vision and help bring these characters to life without compromising the original work. I hope everybody looks forward to the anime adaptation of LIAR GAME!
Music
Yuugo Kannno
The live-action adaptation of LIAR GAME has become a legendary work, and I can still vividly recall the music composed by Yasutaka Nakata.
For this anime adaptation, I began by re-reading the original manga and set out to create a new world of LIAR GAME through music—one that would stand apart from the live-action version.
Deception and truth. Light and shadow. The duality of human nature.
I’ve poured those emotional conflicts that sway between extremes into the melodies and rhythms of this score.
Sound Director
Kisuke Koizumi
LIAR GAME's intricately calculated strategies and schemes...the fast-paced battles crafted with deceiving words...it really is such an exciting series.
I hope everyone not only enjoys watching the series' characters rack their brains and sometimes join forces with their opponents to survive, but also enjoy being deceived right along with them.
I’ll be devoting myself into making the sound of the anime build the tension and thrills in these mind games, creating a perfect atmosphere for these deceive-or-be-deceived face-offs between characters. I will do my best to ensure our audience truly feels the experience.
Nao Kanzaki
Saya Hitomi
When I heard that I had passed the audition, my mind went completely blank from the shock and joy, and the moment I said, “I’ll do my best,” tears started to pour out.
Once recording began, I found myself desperately trying to keep up, and I strongly felt that I wanted to grow just like Nao does. Now, I’m wholeheartedly facing the work with that same “foolishly honest” spirit.
Even as she’s tossed around by countless lies, Nao lives with all her heart in her own way—and I’ll give it my all to bring out her charm.
Thank you so much for your support!
Shinichi Akiyama
Takeo Otsuka
I was completely filled with surprise and joy when I learned I’d been invited to join this adaptation of LIAR GAME, a series I’ve long been familiar with and fond of.
As a member of the LIAR GAME anime team, I will give my all in voicing Akiyama to ensure that the charm of this series is fully conveyed through animation.
Thank you very much for your support!
(Also... I didn’t manage to see through a single lie on the official anime website!)