Kindergarten Wars(Japanese: 幼稚園WARS, Hepburn: Yōchien Wars) is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by You Chiba. It began serialization on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ app and website in September 2022. Its chapters have been collected in 17 tankōbon volumes as of April 2026. An anime television series adaptation produced by Sunrise and Felix Film is set to premiere in Q2 2027.

Plot

The story takes place in Kindergarten Noir, known as "the world's safest kindergarten". Hosting the children of politicians, celebrities, businessmen, and other VIPs, Kindergarten Noir protects them from would-be assassins and kidnappers by employing former criminals as teachers in exchange for reduced sentences. Rita, also known as Convict #999, is a former assassin who finds herself working at Kindergarten Noir—both to get a reduced sentence by acting as a bodyguard and to find a hot guy along the way.

Characters

Rita(リタ)

Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki

A 20-year old assassin from the Netherlands known as "The Witch" who takes on a new identity as a kindergarten teacher to protect the children of world leaders at a school called Kindergarten Noir. Rita has a running gag where she falls in love at first sight with an assassin trying to harm the children, and asks them a series of questions, and if they answer them with a response Rita doesn't like they would get shot.

Doug(ダグ, Dagu)

Voiced by: Kentarō Kumagai

A 23-year old womanizing American swindler from Nevada who accepted the job of working in the kindergarten. He develops feelings for Rita early on.

Hana(ハナ)

Voiced by: Hitomi Ōwada

Luke(ルーク, Rūku)

Voiced by: Satoshi Hino

Silvia(シルビア, Shirubia)

Voiced by: Mariya Ise

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by You Chiba, the series began serialization on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ app and website on September 15, 2022. Initially starting publication in Jump+'s Rookies program as an "independent manga", in March 2023 Shueisha announced that it would become a full-fledged series. The series reached its final arc after a two-month break on March 27, 2025. As of April 2026, the series individual chapters have been collected in 17 tankōbon volumes.

Shueisha's Manga Plus platform is publishing the series in English. At New York Comic Con 2024, Yen Press announced that they licensed the series for English print publication.

Volumes

No.Original release dateOriginal ISBNEnglish release dateEnglish ISBN
1March 3, 2023978-4-08-883486-3May 27, 2025979-8-8554-0908-6
01. "The Dark-Haired Type"(黒髪イケメン, Kurokami Ikemen) 02. "The Blond Type"(金髪イケメン, Kinpatsu Ikemen) 03. "Doug"(ダグ, Dagu) 04. "No Hot Guys"(イケメンなし, Ikemen Nashi) 05. "New Recruit"(新入社員, Shin'nyū Shain) 06. "Hana"(ハナ) 07. "The Bradley Family"(ブラッドリー一家, Buraddorī Ikka)
01. "The Dark-Haired Type"(黒髪イケメン, Kurokami Ikemen) 02. "The Blond Type"(金髪イケメン, Kinpatsu Ikemen) 03. "Doug"(ダグ, Dagu) 04. "No Hot Guys"(イケメンなし, Ikemen Nashi)05. "New Recruit"(新入社員, Shin'nyū Shain) 06. "Hana"(ハナ) 07. "The Bradley Family"(ブラッドリー一家, Buraddorī Ikka)
2April 4, 2023978-4-08-883488-7September 23, 2025979-8-8554-0910-9
08. "Brother and Sister"(兄と妹, Ani to Imōto) 09. "The Witch"(魔女, Majo) 10. "Just Fine"(大丈夫, Daijōbu) 11. "Gordon"(ゴードン, Gōdon) 12. "Luke"(ルーク, Rūku) 13. "Trio"(3人, 3-Ri) 14. "Evil"(悪, Waru) 15. "Natasha"(ナターシャ, Natāsha)
08. "Brother and Sister"(兄と妹, Ani to Imōto) 09. "The Witch"(魔女, Majo) 10. "Just Fine"(大丈夫, Daijōbu) 11. "Gordon"(ゴードン, Gōdon)12. "Luke"(ルーク, Rūku) 13. "Trio"(3人, 3-Ri) 14. "Evil"(悪, Waru) 15. "Natasha"(ナターシャ, Natāsha)
3May 2, 2023978-4-08-883506-8January 20, 2026979-8-8554-0912-3
16. "A Toy That Won't Break"(壊れないおもちゃ, Kowarenai Omocha) 17. "I Just Want to Be Loved"(愛されたいだけ, Aisaretai Dake) 18. "Fun"(楽しい, Tanoshī) 19. "Alone"(ひとりぼっち, Hitori Botchi) 20. "War"(戦争, Sensō) 21. "The Tanned Type"(褐色イケメン, Kasshoku Ikemen)
16. "A Toy That Won't Break"(壊れないおもちゃ, Kowarenai Omocha) 17. "I Just Want to Be Loved"(愛されたいだけ, Aisaretai Dake) 18. "Fun"(楽しい, Tanoshī)19. "Alone"(ひとりぼっち, Hitori Botchi) 20. "War"(戦争, Sensō) 21. "The Tanned Type"(褐色イケメン, Kasshoku Ikemen)
4July 4, 2023978-4-08-883541-9April 28, 2026979-8-8554-0914-7
22. "Shall We Dance?"(踊りましょう, Odorimashou) 23. "Dismissal Time"(さよならのお時間, Sayonara no o Jikan) 24. "Teamwork"(チームワーク, Chīmuwāku) 25. "Space"(宇宙, Uchū) 26. "Kiss"(キス, Kisu) 27. "Keep Calm"(冷静, Reisei) 28. "Side Hustle"(副業, Fukugyō) 29. "Goldfish Shop"(金魚屋, Kingyo-ya)
22. "Shall We Dance?"(踊りましょう, Odorimashou) 23. "Dismissal Time"(さよならのお時間, Sayonara no o Jikan) 24. "Teamwork"(チームワーク, Chīmuwāku) 25. "Space"(宇宙, Uchū)26. "Kiss"(キス, Kisu) 27. "Keep Calm"(冷静, Reisei) 28. "Side Hustle"(副業, Fukugyō) 29. "Goldfish Shop"(金魚屋, Kingyo-ya)
5September 4, 2023978-4-08-883640-9——
30. "Scooping Specialist"(ポイ使い, Poi Tsukai) 31. "Best Brother Bragging Barrage"(お兄ちゃん自慢爆弾大会, O Nīchan Jiman Bakudan Taikai) 32. "Fair and Square"(真剣勝負, Shinken Shōbu) 33. "Natsuki"(ナツキ) 34. "Free"(自由, Jiyū) 35. "Minejima"(ミネジマ) 36. "Fated One"(運命の人, Unmei no Hito)
30. "Scooping Specialist"(ポイ使い, Poi Tsukai) 31. "Best Brother Bragging Barrage"(お兄ちゃん自慢爆弾大会, O Nīchan Jiman Bakudan Taikai) 32. "Fair and Square"(真剣勝負, Shinken Shōbu)33. "Natsuki"(ナツキ) 34. "Free"(自由, Jiyū) 35. "Minejima"(ミネジマ) 36. "Fated One"(運命の人, Unmei no Hito)
6November 2, 2023978-4-08-883702-4——
37. "Rain"(雨, Ame) 38. "Burn Scars"(火傷痕, Hi Kizuato) 39. "Lonely"(さみしい, Samishī) 40. "Proof"(証明, Shōmei) 41. "Ex-Girlfriend"(元カノ, Moto Kano) 42. "A Battle to One-up the Ex-Girlfriend"(元カノマウントバトル大会, Moto Kanomaunto Batoru Taikai) 43. "Lullaby"(子守唄, Komori-uta) 44. "Assassins"(刺客, Shikaku)
37. "Rain"(雨, Ame) 38. "Burn Scars"(火傷痕, Hi Kizuato) 39. "Lonely"(さみしい, Samishī) 40. "Proof"(証明, Shōmei)41. "Ex-Girlfriend"(元カノ, Moto Kano) 42. "A Battle to One-up the Ex-Girlfriend"(元カノマウントバトル大会, Moto Kanomaunto Batoru Taikai) 43. "Lullaby"(子守唄, Komori-uta) 44. "Assassins"(刺客, Shikaku)
7January 4, 2024978-4-08-883842-7——
45. "The Cute Butler Type"(かわいい系執事イケメン, Kawaī Kei Shitsuji Ikemen) 46. "Vacuum Robot User"(掃除ロボ使い, Sōji Robo Tsukai) 47. "Five Sisters"(5姉妹, 5-Shimai) 48. "A Presentation on Why Shojo Manga Is the Greatest"(少女マンガ最強プレゼンテーション, Shōjo Manga Saikyō Purezentēshon) 49. "Tough"(タフ, Tafu) 50. "Tracy"(トレイシー, Toreishī) 51. "Killers"(人殺し, Hitogoroshi) 52. "New Recruit No. 2"(新入社員その 2, Shin'nyū Shain Sono 2)
45. "The Cute Butler Type"(かわいい系執事イケメン, Kawaī Kei Shitsuji Ikemen) 46. "Vacuum Robot User"(掃除ロボ使い, Sōji Robo Tsukai) 47. "Five Sisters"(5姉妹, 5-Shimai) 48. "A Presentation on Why Shojo Manga Is the Greatest"(少女マンガ最強プレゼンテーション, Shōjo Manga Saikyō Purezentēshon)49. "Tough"(タフ, Tafu) 50. "Tracy"(トレイシー, Toreishī) 51. "Killers"(人殺し, Hitogoroshi) 52. "New Recruit No. 2"(新入社員その 2, Shin'nyū Shain Sono 2)
8March 4, 2024978-4-08-883860-1——
53. "Understood"(わかった, Wakatta) 54. "Let's Go Back"(戻りましょう, Modorimashou) 55. "Senpai Style"(先輩風, Senpai-fū) 56. "Pizza Party"(ピザパーティ, Piza Pāti) 57. "Lyla"(ライラ, Raira) 58. "Aoba"(アオバ, Aoba) 59. "Only"(ただ, Tada)
53. "Understood"(わかった, Wakatta) 54. "Let's Go Back"(戻りましょう, Modorimashou) 55. "Senpai Style"(先輩風, Senpai-fū)56. "Pizza Party"(ピザパーティ, Piza Pāti) 57. "Lyla"(ライラ, Raira) 58. "Aoba"(アオバ, Aoba) 59. "Only"(ただ, Tada)
9May 2, 2024978-4-08-884034-5——
60. "Reminiscence"(追憶, Tsuioku) 61. "Love at First Sight"(一目惚れ, Hitomebore) 62. "I Don't Know"(わからない, Wakaranai) 63. "Mouse Paradise"(ネズミの楽園, Nezumi no Rakuen) 64. "Don't Cry"(泣きやんで, Nakiyan de) 65. "Hero"(ヒーロー, Hīrō) 66. "Ruthless"(無情, Mujō) 67. "I Want to Live"(生きたい, Ikitai)
60. "Reminiscence"(追憶, Tsuioku) 61. "Love at First Sight"(一目惚れ, Hitomebore) 62. "I Don't Know"(わからない, Wakaranai) 63. "Mouse Paradise"(ネズミの楽園, Nezumi no Rakuen)64. "Don't Cry"(泣きやんで, Nakiyan de) 65. "Hero"(ヒーロー, Hīrō) 66. "Ruthless"(無情, Mujō) 67. "I Want to Live"(生きたい, Ikitai)
10July 4, 2024978-4-08-884091-8——
68. "At the Very Least"(せめて, Semete) 69. "For You"(あなたに, Anata ni) 70. "Ordinary"(普通, Futsū) 71. "The Brash Bad Boy Type"(不良系オラオライケメン, Furyōkei Ora Ora Ikemen) 72. "Delightful☆Dress-Up Time"(ドキドキ☆お着替えタイム, Dokidoki☆Okigae Taimu) 73. "Uproar"(大騒ぎ, Ōsawagi) 74. "Lookin' Forward to Working with Y'All"(そこんとこよろしく, Sokon Toko Yoroshiku)
68. "At the Very Least"(せめて, Semete) 69. "For You"(あなたに, Anata ni) 70. "Ordinary"(普通, Futsū) 71. "The Brash Bad Boy Type"(不良系オラオライケメン, Furyōkei Ora Ora Ikemen)72. "Delightful☆Dress-Up Time"(ドキドキ☆お着替えタイム, Dokidoki☆Okigae Taimu) 73. "Uproar"(大騒ぎ, Ōsawagi) 74. "Lookin' Forward to Working with Y'All"(そこんとこよろしく, Sokon Toko Yoroshiku)
11September 4, 2024978-4-08-884186-1——
75. "Yoshiteru"(ヨシテル, Yoshiteru) 76. "Green Gang"(緑幇, Ryūban) 77. "Brute-Force Strategy"(脳筋作戦, Nōkin Sakusen) 78. "Thrilling☆Torture Time"(ドキドキ☆拷問タイム, Dokidoki☆Gōmon Taimu) 79. "Take Two"(2回目, Ni Kaime) 80. "Long Time No See"(久ひさしぶり, Hisashiburi) 81. "Hellfire"(業火, Gōka)
75. "Yoshiteru"(ヨシテル, Yoshiteru) 76. "Green Gang"(緑幇, Ryūban) 77. "Brute-Force Strategy"(脳筋作戦, Nōkin Sakusen) 78. "Thrilling☆Torture Time"(ドキドキ☆拷問タイム, Dokidoki☆Gōmon Taimu)79. "Take Two"(2回目, Ni Kaime) 80. "Long Time No See"(久ひさしぶり, Hisashiburi) 81. "Hellfire"(業火, Gōka)
12November 1, 2024978-4-08-884264-6——
82. "If Only"(もし, Moshi) 83. "I Hated You"(嫌いだった, Kiraidatta) 84. "Kindness"(優しさ, Yasashisa) 85. "I Believe You"(信じてます, Shinjitemasu) 86. "I Know"(わかってる, Wakatteru) 87. "Beyond Understanding"(理解できない, Rikaidekinai) 88. "Big Love"
82. "If Only"(もし, Moshi) 83. "I Hated You"(嫌いだった, Kiraidatta) 84. "Kindness"(優しさ, Yasashisa) 85. "I Believe You"(信じてます, Shinjitemasu)86. "I Know"(わかってる, Wakatteru) 87. "Beyond Understanding"(理解できない, Rikaidekinai) 88. "Big Love"
13January 4, 2025978-4-08-884345-2——
89. "Paper Scoop Juggling"(ポイジャグリング, Poi Jaguringu) 90. "A Day in the Life of Doug"(ダグのいちにち, Dagu no Ichinichi) 91. "Sparkling Shining Bombstars"(筋肉爆弾星, Supākuringu Shainingu Sutāfu Ito) 92. "Van"(ヴァン) 93. "Ex-Boyfriend"(元カレ, Moto Kare) 94. "A Day in the Life of Rita"(ダグのいちにち, Rita no Ichinichi) 95. "Dance With Me"(踊ろう, Odorou)
89. "Paper Scoop Juggling"(ポイジャグリング, Poi Jaguringu) 90. "A Day in the Life of Doug"(ダグのいちにち, Dagu no Ichinichi) 91. "Sparkling Shining Bombstars"(筋肉爆弾星, Supākuringu Shainingu Sutāfu Ito) 92. "Van"(ヴァン)93. "Ex-Boyfriend"(元カレ, Moto Kare) 94. "A Day in the Life of Rita"(ダグのいちにち, Rita no Ichinichi) 95. "Dance With Me"(踊ろう, Odorou)
14April 4, 2025978-4-08-884426-8——
96. "Welcome Back"(おかえり, Okaeri) 97. "Failure"(落ちこぼれ, Ochikobore) 98. "Anita"(アニタ) 99. "That Goes for Both"(お互たがい様, Otagaisama) 100. "Rita"(リタ) 101. "Don't You Forget It"(覚おぼえておけ, Oboete Oke) 102. "Pretend"(ごっこ, Gokko)
96. "Welcome Back"(おかえり, Okaeri) 97. "Failure"(落ちこぼれ, Ochikobore) 98. "Anita"(アニタ) 99. "That Goes for Both"(お互たがい様, Otagaisama)100. "Rita"(リタ) 101. "Don't You Forget It"(覚おぼえておけ, Oboete Oke) 102. "Pretend"(ごっこ, Gokko)
15August 4, 2025978-4-08-884627-9——
103. "From the Moment I Met You"(出会った時から, Deatta Toki kara) 104. "Louis"(ルイ, Rui) 105. "Silvia"(シルビア, Shirubia) 106. "Night and Sea"(夜と海, Yoru to Umi) 107. "Snow Dust"(細氷, Sunō Dasuto) 108. "TWO TOGETHER"(2人一緒, Futari Issho) 109. "Hazy"(曖昧, Aimai)
103. "From the Moment I Met You"(出会った時から, Deatta Toki kara) 104. "Louis"(ルイ, Rui) 105. "Silvia"(シルビア, Shirubia) 106. "Night and Sea"(夜と海, Yoru to Umi)107. "Snow Dust"(細氷, Sunō Dasuto) 108. "TWO TOGETHER"(2人一緒, Futari Issho) 109. "Hazy"(曖昧, Aimai)
LUKEOctober 3, 2025978-4-08-884721-4——
LUKE 1–6
LUKE 1–6
16January 5, 2026978-4-08-884803-7——
110. "Killer Fishermen"(漁業殺し屋, Gyogyō Koroshiya) 111. "Tantrum"(癇癪, Kanshaku) 112. "Hometown"(故鄉, Kokyō) 113. "Play All You Can"(遊び放題, Asobi Hōdai) 114. "Love Forever" 115. "Ferris Wheel"(観覧車, Kanransha) 116. "Revenge"(復讐, Fukushū) 117. "We Can Never Change"(変われたい, Kawaretai)
110. "Killer Fishermen"(漁業殺し屋, Gyogyō Koroshiya) 111. "Tantrum"(癇癪, Kanshaku) 112. "Hometown"(故鄉, Kokyō) 113. "Play All You Can"(遊び放題, Asobi Hōdai)114. "Love Forever" 115. "Ferris Wheel"(観覧車, Kanransha) 116. "Revenge"(復讐, Fukushū) 117. "We Can Never Change"(変われたい, Kawaretai)
17April 3, 2026978-4-08-885013-9——
118. "Gamble"(賭け, Kake) 119. "Honest"(正直, Shōjiki) 120. "Jealous"(羨ましかった, Urayamashikatta) 121. "I Love Her the Most in the Entire World"(世界で一番好き, Sekai de ichiban suki) 122. "Boxed hot guys"(箱イケメン, Hako ikemen) 123. "Careless"(詰め, Tsume)
118. "Gamble"(賭け, Kake) 119. "Honest"(正直, Shōjiki) 120. "Jealous"(羨ましかった, Urayamashikatta)121. "I Love Her the Most in the Entire World"(世界で一番好き, Sekai de ichiban suki) 122. "Boxed hot guys"(箱イケメン, Hako ikemen) 123. "Careless"(詰め, Tsume)

Chapters not yet in tankōbon format

These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume. They were serialized on Shōnen Jump+.

  1. "Farewell"(さよならです, Sayonara desu)
  2. "A Battle to One-up the Ex-boyfriend"(元カレマウントバトル大会, Moto Karemaunto Batoru Taikai)

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced by Bandai Namco Filmworks on October 2, 2025. It will be produced by Sunrise and Felix Film and directed by Shinsuke Gomi, with characters designed by Junko Yamanaka[ja]. The series is set to premiere in Q2 2027.

Reception

The series ranked third in the 2023 Next Manga Award in the web manga category. The series ranked ninth on AnimeJapan's "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll in 2024. The series ranked fifth in the 2025 edition of the poll.

Further reading

  • . J-Cast News (in Japanese). May 30, 2023.

External links