Adult Swim Announces English Dub Premiere Date For Rooster Fighter

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The “migratory bird” of justice is officially heading to late-night television. According to a recent announcement from Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Rooster Fighter (Niwatori Fighter) is set to make its North American television debut on the Toonami programming block on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Based on the surreal and high-octane manga by Shū Sakuratani, the series has become a viral sensation for its absurd yet genuinely epic premise: a lone, stoic rooster named Keiji who travels across Japan to save humanity from “Kijū”—towering, monstrous demons.

The Hero the World Needs

Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Sanzigen (BanG Dream!, Promare), Rooster Fighter is directed by Daisuke Suzuki with a script by Hiroshi Seko (Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan). The series blends the gritty tropes of “hard-boiled” action cinema with the inherent comedy of its avian protagonist.

The story follows Keiji, a rooster with a scarred past and a powerful “cock-a-doodle-doo” that can literally blow the heads off demons. His quest is one of vengeance and honor as he seeks the specific demon that killed his sister, making allies—both human and feathered—along the way.

A Powerhouse English Cast

Toonami fans can look forward to a robust English dub produced by Studiopolis in collaboration with Viz Media. The cast features several industry veterans:

  • Patrick Seitz as Keiji (the titular Rooster Fighter)

  • Luci Christian as Elizabeth

  • Kimoy Lee as Piyoko

  • Robbie Daymond as Keisuke

  • Roger Rose as Morio

The series will also feature the pulse-pounding opening theme song “What’s a Hero?!” by DARUMA Rollin’, which was showcased in a trailer released late last year.

Why the Hype?

Rooster Fighter has built a massive following since its manga debut in 2020, thanks to its stunningly detailed artwork and its ability to treat a ridiculous concept with absolute, deadpan seriousness. Early previews shown at New York Comic Con and AnimeNYC received rave reviews for the show’s unique visual style and comedic timing.

The addition of Rooster Fighter to the 2026 Toonami lineup marks a continued effort by Adult Swim to bring bold, experimental, and creator-driven projects to the block. It joins a Winter/Spring slate that includes other heavy hitters like Lazarus and the return of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Catch the series premiere of Rooster Fighter on Toonami, Saturday, March 14, at midnight.