Your Guide to Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26: Plot, Episodes, and Why Fans Are Excited

Nayuta from episode 7 "Nayuta of the prophecy"

2025 is increasingly becoming a remarkable year for anime. One of the standout figures this year is undoubtedly the manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto. For those unfamiliar, he is the creator of the highly acclaimed and much-discussed series "Chainsaw Man," the exceptional one-shot manga "Goodbye Eri," and more. The "Chainsaw Man Reze Arc," a cinematic sequel to the "Chainsaw Man" anime, is currently dominating cinemas worldwide. But that's not all.

Amazon Prime has released "Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26," an anthology anime that adapts eight of Fujimoto’s early one-shot manga stories, created when he was between the ages of 17 and 26.

The series adapts eight short stories written by Fujimoto during his youth, prior to his breakout hit Chainsaw Man. Each episode stands alone, featuring a different story and exploring a wide range of themes such as romance, identity, chaos, the supernatural, and existential concepts.

The tone varies greatly between episodes: some are sentimental and emotional, while others are eerie or strange, showcasing Fujimoto’s early experimentation as a writer. The creative setup is particularly intriguing: six different animation studios and seven directors contribute, giving each episode a unique visual style. However, despite the different animation styles and directors, Fujimoto's signature style is still heavily evident in every scene, which is an incredible testimant to his creative mind.

Here are a few episodes that I especially enjoyed watching:

A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin’ in the Schoolyard - A post-apocalyptic world where aliens (who can change shape) almost wiped out humans. One alien student, Yōhei, is asked to feed two chickens in school — but those “chickens” hide a secret. This episode isnt just dark and violent but it also has an incredible plot twist depsite just be under 20mins long. Also, that fight scene at the end had gorgeous animation that sadly isnt seen at this level again for the rest of the anthology.

Shikaku - A dark and twisted romance unfolds as the protagonist, Shikaku, who is psychotic, becomes a hitman. She is hired by someone with a desire to die, but this individual is immortal, having lived for 3,500 years, which leads to a strange, toxic, f***ing insane yet poignant bond. As mentioned earlier, despite the use of various animation studios and directors, each episode manages to showcase Fujimoto's unpredicabtility and emotional chaos of placing characters in these absurd situations. Shukaku perfectly encapsulates that in a unique and fun episode.

What I find fascinating is also how these shorts are an incredible insight into the early development of Fujimoto's creative mind as he's struggeling with the typical trials and tribulations that someone his age is going through. Themes such as growing pains, self-discovery, and youthful anxieties.

The romantic relationships portrayed are rarely "normal" — they often appear bizarre, otherworldly, or distorted, highlighting Fujimoto's early fascination with unconventional forms of love. Many stories explore themes of identity (gender, self, purpose), mortality, and the idea of belonging — both to others and to oneself.

Fans of Tatsuki Fujimoto — especially those who love Chainsaw Man — should watch Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 because it offers a rare look into the creator’s early artistic voice and the foundations of his signature style. As an anthology, it’s incredibly accessible: each episode stands on its own, so you can jump in anywhere and enjoy a complete story.

The wide range of tones means there’s something for every type of viewer, from quirky and funny to dark, emotional, and unsettling. Combined with the standout production quality — with multiple studios and directors giving each episode its own visual identity — the series feels fresh, varied, and full of creative energy, making it a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers.