The anime "Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" officially kicked off its broadcast on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Based on the popular manga by Tomato Soup, this historical drama features a powerhouse creative team: Chief Director Naoko Yamada, Director Abel Gongora, and the visionary studio Science SARU.
It has been eight years since Sitara became a tutor for Sorghaghtani. Living deep within the Mongol Empire, Sitara has mastered the art of blending in, yet her thirst for revenge remains a hidden ember in her heart.
This week, we'll look back at Episode 4, focusing on Sitara’s evolution from a captive to a survivor—highlighted by a visceral goat-butchering scene—and the moment she finally learns the true depth of Sorghaghtani’s ambition.
Unveiling Sorghaghtani’s True Purpose
The first half of Episode 4 centers on Sitara’s role as the instructor of Euclid’s "Elements" under Sorghaghtani’s patronage. We finally learn why Sorghaghtani is so hungry for knowledge: it’s for her husband, Tolui, and the future of the Mongol Empire. Driven by the philosophy that "the world is wider than the steppe," she seeks to integrate Western knowledge to build a nation that transcends mere conquest.
Sitara remains by Sorghaghtani’s side as her confidante and teacher, but watching her mistress speak so passionately about the future of the very empire that took everything from her is a bitter pill to swallow. The contrast between these two women—both seeking the same "Elements" but for diametrically opposed reasons—creates a tension that you can practically feel through the screen.
The Hands of a Survivor
Fast forward eight years into her tenure: the Great Khan, Genghis Khan, has passed away. As the "Khuraldai" (the great council) gathers to decide the next emperor, we find Sitara tasked with butchering a goat.
The way she handles the task—using a method far removed from her former Islamic customs but with expert efficiency—speaks volumes about the eight years she has spent in the Mongolian highlands. Despite her internal vow to reclaim the "Elements" and seek justice, the reality is that time has slipped through her fingers without a single strike against her enemies. Her body has adapted to Mongolian life even if her soul hasn't. It’s a haunting reminder that humans are creatures of habit; we "normalize" our surroundings to survive, no matter how much we hate them. It’s cruel, but it’s the only way to stay alive.
One detail that really stands out in this butchering scene is the depiction of the women’s "hands." Much like in the original manga, the characters are drawn with large, sturdy hands and feet. Whether this is a stylistic choice for proportions or a specific trait of Tomatosoup’s art style, it adds a profound layer to the storytelling. Those large hands, covered in the work of processing a goat, look powerful and resilient. They are the hands of people who actually live on the land. And it is within the goat’s entrails that Sitara discovers something unexpected.
A New Emperor and a Shocking Command
On the 41st day of the Khuraldai, a new leader is finally chosen. The title of Great Khan goes not to Tolui, but to his brother, Ögedei. Breaking from mere custom, Ögedei was hand-picked by Genghis Khan’s will for his reputation as a "Sage."
Tolui accepts his brother’s ascension with grace, stating that he doesn't need to lead alone—the brothers will combine their strengths to make the empire invincible. On the surface, it looks like a beautiful display of fraternal trust.
However, the night takes a sharp turn. Sorghaghtani turns to Sitara and drops a bombshell: "I want you to be my spy." What exactly is Sorghaghtani plotting? Now that Sitara is closer to the "Elements" than ever before, how will she navigate this dangerous new order?
[Article by Taira]
About The Anime
Synopsis
A young girl and an empress.
Bound by a shared desire for revenge, the two will shake the mightiest empire the world has ever known.
Having lost her mother and been torn from her homeland, young Sitara is taken in by Fatima, a kind-hearted lady from a family of scholars. "If you study and become wise, no matter what trouble befalls you, you’ll know the best way forward."
Deeply moved by the words of Fatima’s son, Muhammad, Sitara comes to understand the possibilities and importance of knowledge and begins to deepen her education.
She dreams that one day, she might catch up with Muhammad, who has set off on a journey in pursuit of wisdom...
Meanwhile, under the reign of Emperor Genghis Khan, the mighty Mongol Empire continues its unstoppable march, conquering nation after nation and expanding its influence across the world. Before long, the tides of history reach the city where Sitara lives.
After losing everything to Tolui, the empire’s Fourth Prince, and being taken captive, Sitara resolves to use the only thing she has left, her intellect, to infiltrate the royal court and bring down the empire from within.
Though a flame of revenge burns within her heart, Sitara outwardly devotes herself to serving the empire. One day, she has a fateful encounter with Töregene, the sixth wife of the Third Prince, Ögedei. Haunted by a tragic past of her own, Töregene too carries a deep hatred for the empire within her heart.
Sitara and Töregene, two women who were never meant to meet. The moment they join hands, the wheels of fate begin to turn.
Cast
Sitara: Akira Sekine
Töregene: Ami Koshimizu
Fatima: Houko Kuwashima
Muhammad: Jun Saito
Ögedei: Hiro Shimono
Tolui: Ryota Suzuki
Shira: Miyu Irino
Chagatai: Daisuke Namikawa
Jochi: Kenji Nojima
Sorghaghtani: Misaki Kuno
Möge: Ayaka Asai
Kirgistani: Mayumi Shintani
Boraqchin: ????
Genghis Khan: Tamawashi (Active Sumo Wrestler)
Mongol Soldiers: Tamashoho (Active Sumo Wrestler)
(C)Tomatosoup (Akita Shoten) / Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Production Committee
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
