Ronin Warriors—known in Japan as Yoroiden Samurai Troopers—is officially getting a sequel series. Bandai Namco (publishing) and Sunrise (animating) are resurrecting the ’90s cult classic, with the new anime set to debut in January 2026. Even better? It’s being directed by Gintama and Osomatsu-san veteran Yoichi Fujita, so expect a mix of stylish combat and possibly some cheeky flair thrown in for good measure.
The series will be called Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers and appears to feature a new set of heroes, as that does not exactly look like Ryo. Japanese voice actor Hiiro Ishibashi has been announced as the voice behind the main character, Gai, who we see slashing away in the teaser below while sporting the Wildfire Armor.
For those of you who spent the ‘90s watching Toonami with a bowl of sugary cereal the size of your head, Ronin Warriors followed a group of five teenage boys who each wielded mystical armor infused with elemental powers. Led by Ryo Sanada—wearer of the red Wildfire armor and possessor of the ultimate shonen power combo: swords and fiery determination—they battled the evil Talpa and his demon minions who wanted to, of course, take over the world. Each warrior represented a virtue—Trust, Wisdom, Justice, Life, and… RAGE (the most relatable one)—and their armor could combine for even stronger forms, usually right before the end credits.
Now, nearly 35 years after the original aired, the teaser for the new series has dropped. It’s short, mysterious, and just cryptic enough to get longtime fans speculating wildly. We get a good decent at the lead named Gai, with his modern hairstyle and a sharp set of Wildfire Armor.
The other four warriors are briefly shown too, though only from behind—because nothing says “new characters” like a dramatic back-of-the-head reveal. From what we can tell, Sunrise’s animation aims to deliver a sleek modern fluid style, which looks rad, obviously. Plus, there are glimpses of some very intense flame-covered sword swings so you know the action is going to be a center focus here.
As of now, the sequel is confirmed to premiere in Japanese only, and the release doesn’t mention any subtitled versions just yet. A dub is likely, especially considering the original’s cult following in the West, but no official announcement has been made on that front. So unless you’re fluent in Japanese or don’t mind just admiring the swordplay, you might be waiting a while.
Still, it’s real. It’s happening. And if you’ve ever shouted “ARMOR OF WILDFIRE!” while pretending a broomstick was a katana, then January 2026 can’t come fast enough.
You can check out the official Ronin Warriors/Samurai Troopers Accounts here:
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PS: If you want to feel chills hearing Peter Cullen narrate the classic Toonami promo for Ronin Warriors, check this out:
