Katsuyuki Konishi Joins High School! Kimengumi as Gang Leader Wakazō
High School! Kimengumi has revealed a new character casting, with Katsuyuki Konishi joining the television anime as Wakazō Temekono, the current top gang leader of the school. The character is set to make his first appearance in episode four, airing this Friday.
Konishi is already part of the cast, also voicing Takuma Sessa, making Wakazō his second role in the series.
The anime began broadcasting on January 9 as part of Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block and serves as a modern reimagining of the classic gag comedy. While the original manga and its first anime adaptation were set in the 1980s, this new version moves the story into the Reiwa era, introducing a refreshed cast and contemporary setting.
The story follows five wildly eccentric students known collectively as Kimengumi, infamous throughout their school for their bizarre behavior. Their daily chaos revolves around their friendship with the school’s cutest girl and her best friend, delivering fast-paced comedy rooted in exaggerated personalities.
The new anime marks Kazuaki Seki’s first time directing an animated series, with Takashi Nishikawa handling animation direction. Series composition is overseen by Shigeru Murakoshi, while Yuka Abe designs the characters. Music production is led by Night Tempo, adding a modern sound to the classic franchise.
The opening theme song “Funky Spice feat. TOMOO” is performed by BREIMEN, while Rikon Densetsu handles the ending theme “Suteki!!”. The iconic original theme song also receives a newly arranged cover, blending nostalgia with a modern twist.
Originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1980, Kimengumi became a major hit during its initial anime run in the mid-1980s, leaving a lasting legacy in gag comedy anime.
