Can former assassins protect the world's most elite children in Kindergarten Noir?
In short: In the world's safest kindergarten, the teachers are not just educators—they are criminals working for reduced sentences. This high-stakes manga follows Rita, a Dutch assassin turned bodyguard, as she navigates a surreal landscape of VIP children, deadly kidnappers, and even super-strong, blood-sniffing poodles.
You Chiba wrote and drew Kindergarten Wars, which launched on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ website and app on September 15, 2022. Originally launched as an independent manga within the Rookies program, Shueisha transitioned it into a full-fledged series in March 2023. The narrative centers on Kindergarten Noir, a facility designed to protect the children of politicians, celebrities, and businessmen from assassins and kidnappers. To maintain this security, the school employs former criminals as teachers in exchange for reduced prison sentences.
The main character, Rita (or Convict #999), is a 20-year-old Dutch hitwoman called "The Witch." She seeks to find love while working as a bodyguard to earn her freedom. This leads to a recurring gag where Rita falls in love at first sight with the very assassins attempting to harm the children, often subjecting them to lethal questioning. She is joined by a 23-year-old American swindler from Nevada who develops feelings for her early in the story.
The series has gained significant traction, ranking third in the 2023 Next Manga Award's web manga category. The series has gained traction in surveys, ranking ninth in the 2024 AnimeJapan "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll and fifth in 2025. As of August 2026, the series has reached its final arc following a break in March 2025, with 129 chapters collected across 18 tankōbon volumes. An anime adaptation produced by Sunrise and Felix Film is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kindergarten Wars
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