Yoshimura Kana’s “Bat” manga is being adapted into a television anime set to premiere in 2027, with HIDIVE announcing exclusive streaming rights for the US, Canada and several other markets.

The adaptation was presented at Anime Expo 2026.

Serialized in Square Enix’s Young Gangan since August 2013, “Murciélago” has sold more than 2.3 million copies worldwide and publishes 28 volumes in Japan, with 26 volumes released internationally.

HIDIVE, AMC Global Media’s anime streaming service, will stream the series exclusively to subscribers in the US and Canada, along with the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The story centers on Kuroko Koumori, a former death row inmate recruited under an unusual legal agreement to work as an executioner for the state, and her partner Hinako Tozakura, a modest young woman with exceptional driving skills. Together, the couple faces hidden threats within society.

Naoya Takashi, whose credits include “Am I Really the Strongest?” and “Tales of Wedding Rings,” is the lead director of the project, while Asami Matsuo, known for “I’m the Villain, But the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom Adores Me” and “Death Games to Put Food on the Table,” is directing. Satelight, the studio behind “Drops of God” and “PSYREN,” and Staple Entertainment, which produced “Tales of Wedding Rings” and “Watari-kun’s ****** Is About to Collapse,” are jointly responsible for animation.

Tateishi Sei is designing the characters, with Akita Masanori and Tsuchiya Yuichi composing the music.

Along with the announcement, the producers released a teaser, a key image and a commemorative illustration, as well as messages from Yoshimura and the two directors.

“Ever since I chose the profession of a manga artist, adapting one of my works to anime has been one of my biggest dreams,” Yoshimura said. Yoshimura thanked readers and contributors for helping bring the project to life and encouraged fans to follow both the manga and anime.

“This was the first time I participated in a project in the capacity of chief director, so respecting the director’s authority, I took on responsibilities where I could best contribute, that is, series composition, script writing and storyboards,” Takashi said.

Takashi named Manjūbito, Hinako, Urara, and Momoyama among his favorite characters in the series. “But… in the end, Kuroko really is the best: she’s cool, charmingly mischievous, and even a great cook. She’s wonderful.” Takashi said.

“We are currently in the middle of voice recording, and Kuroko and Hinako’s performances are so engaging that they often surpass what we had imagined in the footage,” Matsuo added. “On the visual side, with the support of our talented animators, we strive to capture the elegant crime action spirit of the original work, while pushing the erotic and grotesque elements to the limits of broadcast standards.”

“Murciélago” marks the second collaboration between Takashi and Matsuo and their two studios following the recent adaptation of “Übel Blatt.”