A new dragon isekai is joining the winter lineup. Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling（転生したらドラゴンの卵だった）will begin its TV anime broadcast in January 2026, bringing the hit web novel and light novel series to the screen at last. A tense new key visual has also been revealed, along with opening and ending theme songs that match the show’s mix of danger, struggle, and growth.
January 2026 Brings a New Dragon-Focused Isekai Adventure
Based on the popular series that originated on the web fiction site “Shōsetsuka ni Narō,” Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling follows a protagonist who wakes up in an unfamiliar fantasy world, only to discover he has turned into a dragon’s egg. The television anime is scheduled to air from January 2026, adapting the story of a powerless egg that slowly climbs its way toward becoming a powerful dragon.
The anime is produced by the studios Gakyō and Felix Film, with direction by Yūta Takamura and series composition by Tatsuhiko Urahata. Character design is handled by Masato Onoda, monster design by Hiroyasu Oda, and music by veteran composer Yukari Ōtani. Together, the staff aims to capture both the absurd comedy of “I became an egg?!” and the serious battles that come later in the journey.
From Confused Egg to Cursed Dragon
The story begins when the unnamed protagonist opens his eyes in a strange forest filled with terrifying magical beasts. The world is clearly not his old one, and when he finally manages to check his own body, he makes a shocking discovery: he has been reincarnated as a dragon egg.
In this world, even eggs have to fight. To hatch and grow stronger, the egg must hunt monsters and gain levels, choosing evolution paths that will eventually lead to a true dragon form. Unfortunately, fighting is the last thing he wants to do—he is literally an egg with no limbs, no claws, and no idea how to survive.
Through desperate trial and error, the protagonist finally hatches and evolves again and again, taking on the name Ilusia. But when he finally encounters humans, they see only a monster. Ilusia just wants to get along with people, yet his dragon form inspires fear instead of trust, sending his life rolling—sometimes literally—into one crisis after another.
Key Characters Shaping Ilusia’s Journey
Ilusia (CV: Shunichi Toki)
The main character who is reincarnated as a dragon’s egg. He retains faint memories of his previous life, including a desire to get along with other humans in this new world. To communicate with people and, more importantly, to stay alive, he sets the goal of evolving into a powerful dragon. His growth is a mix of frantic survival, awkward encounters, and unexpected heroism.
Voice of God (CV: Ami Koshimizu)
A mysterious “system voice” that speaks only to Ilusia. When Ilusia gains levels or new skills, this voice automatically announces status updates, often including detailed data on enemies. However, when Ilusia asks deeper questions, the voice frequently replies, “I cannot provide that explanation,” which frustrates him to no end. It is helpful, but also strangely uncooperative.
Milia (CV: Miku Itō)
A gentle, soft-spoken girl who lives in a village inside the forest. She is one of the few people in the village who can use healing magic, and she spends her days tending to the injured, patrolling the surrounding woods, and assisting with monster subjugation. Her strong sense of responsibility pulls her into the incidents involving a certain baby dragon, and her relationship with Ilusia becomes a key emotional axis of the story.
A Darker Mood in the Second Key Visual
The newly revealed second key visual marks a sharp contrast with the first one. While the initial image focused on a peaceful forest and a cute baby dragon, the new visual shows Ilusia, Milia, and Ilusia’s evolved form known as the “Cursed Hatchling Dragon” standing in a forest consumed by flames.
The composition hints at the dangers that await beyond the early comedic chaos: larger threats, harsher battles, and the weight of Ilusia’s evolving power. The visual will also be updated over time with additional new characters, teasing the expanding cast that will join the story as the anime progresses.
Two Theme Songs Framing Ilusia’s Struggle and Growth
The opening theme is titled “Gliding Claw”, performed by Sizuk, an artist project led by composer Shunryū, known for his many impactful anime and idol songs. With lyrics by Aki Hata and arrangement by Yūsuke Shirato, the song blends a hard, driving sound with a touch of melancholy.
According to Sizuk, the track reflects the frustration of feeling weak and the effort of trying to become stronger but failing over and over—a feeling many people share. Ilusia begins in that same helpless state but climbs upward through ideas, effort, and even a bit of luck. The song aims to capture his determination to protect Milia and the villagers, as well as his stubborn belief in the path he has chosen, even when others don’t understand it.
The ending theme, “Sky Clipper”, is performed by virtual singer-rappers TAO (Michio) and SAK (Saku). Their sound fuses sharp flows with electronic, dance-oriented production. TAO describes the song as one about charging toward the future: a reflection of a dragon protagonist who wanders alone, makes choices, and faces whatever future waits for him. SAK adds that singing for an anime has been a dream, and she approached the song while hoping to grow stronger herself, just like Ilusia overcoming obstacles.
Staying Updated Before the January 2026 Premiere
As the broadcast draws closer, more information on characters, additional visuals, and promotional videos will be released through the official channels. Fans can follow the series here:
Official site: https://doratama-anime.com
Official X: https://x.com/doratama_anime
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doratama_anime
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doratama_anime
The original light novel, Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling: I Won’t Aim for Anything but the Strongest, is written by Nekoko with illustrations by NAJI Yanagida, while the manga adaptation by RIO is available through Comic Earth Star. For viewers who can’t wait until January, diving into the novels or manga is a great way to experience Ilusia’s many evolutions, close calls, and surprisingly emotional encounters before seeing them animated.
©猫子・NAJI柳田／SQUARE ENIX・ドラたま製作委員会
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