The official website for the Sekai Saikyou no Kouei: Meikyuukoku no Shinjin Tansakusha (The World’s Strongest Rearguard – Labyrinth Country’s Novice Seeker/ 世界最強の後衛 ～迷宮国の新人探索者～) TV anime has confirmed that the anime will premiere in July 2026. It has also revealed the anime’s teaser visual as well as the main cast and staff members.
Yanase Yuuji is directing the anime at Maho Film studio, and the anime will star:
- Matsuka Yoshitsugu as Arihito
- Koga Aoi as Theresia
- Nakamura Sakura as Kyoka
- Hayami Saori as Suzana
- Ishikawa Yui as Elitia
The anime is based on Sekai Saikyou no Kouei: Meikyuukoku no Shinjin Tansakusha light novel series by Touwa. Author Touwa started the story in April 2017 on the Shousetsuka ni Narou website, and Kadokawa published the first novel with illustrations by Kazabana in November 2017. The ninth novel in the series was released in September 2025.
The novel series was adapted into a manga by Rikizo in March 2018 on Kadokawa’s Comic Walker manga website, and Kadokawa published the manga’s first tankoubon volume in September 2018. The manga’s 10th volume was released on January 23rd, 2026.
Yen Press releases both the novel series and manga adaptation in English under the name The World’s Strongest Rearguard – Labyrinth Country’s Novice Seeker. It published the eighth novel in June 2023, and the manga’s ninth volume will be released on May 26th, 2026.
Yes Press describes the novel’s story below:
“Corporate slave Arihito Atobe’s death in a freak bus accident marks the beginning of his new life as a kind of adventurer called a Seeker. Reborn into a fantasy world, he settles into a previously unknown job class called “rearguard,” capable of providing his (all-female) party with critical attack, defence, and recovery support. And it comes with an added bonus: Simply being at the back of the party line increases his companions’ fondness for him! Freed from the shackles of corporate life, Arihito is eager to start fresh as a newly minted Seeker!”
