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Daemons of the Shadow Realm

A second season of the Daemons of the Shadow Realm television anime was announced after the first season ended. The first season ran 24 episodes across two consecutive cours, adapting Hiromu Arakawa's ongoing manga in Monthly Shonen Gangan.

Synthesized from 23 Yomimono stories · updated Sep 23

The Daemons of the Shadow Realm anime began on April 4, 2026, with Masahiro Ando directing at Bones Film and Noboru Takagi overseeing series scripts. Crunchyroll streamed it with a same-day English dub. The first season ran for two consecutive cours and 24 episodes, following twins Yuru and Asa as they uncover the truth about their village, their parents, and the factions hunting them. The second cour debuted on July 4 with new theme songs, and the story moved through the Kagemori compound, Yuru's capture and interrogation, and a widening conflict that named Nishino Village as a third faction.

By the final stretch, the series confirmed that its central deception was not malicious: Kiri and Danji had lied to Yuru for years but without malice, and Asa's attachment to her brother was framed as a coping mechanism after a decade of isolation. Episode 23 then tied the conflict to the Sengoku Era, recasting the Battle of Sekigahara as the work of Higashi Village and a pair of twins, with the defeated Daemon wielders of Nishi Village going into hiding to plan revenge.

After the finale, the staff announced a second season. The manga remains in progress in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan, where Arakawa launched it in December 2021. The series has also expanded beyond its original run: Manta added Daemons of the Shadow Realm among more than 300 manga titles in worldwide distribution deals with KADOKAWA, Square Enix, and Square Enix's Manga UP! platform.

Key facts

Second season
A second season was announced after the final episode of the first season aired. ↗
First season length
The first season ran for two consecutive cours and 24 episodes. ↗
Director
Masahiro Ando directed the anime at Bones Film. ↗
Series scripts
Noboru Takagi oversaw the series scripts. ↗
Premiere and streaming
The anime premiered on April 4 on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV, and Crunchyroll streamed it with a same-day English dub. ↗
Manga launch
Hiromu Arakawa launched the manga in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021. ↗
Cour 2 theme songs
Kei Sugawara performs the ending theme "Kujaku" and Masanori Otoda performs the opening theme "back shot" for the second cour, which debuted on July 4. ↗
Manta distribution
Manta added Daemons of the Shadow Realm among more than 300 manga titles in worldwide deals with KADOKAWA, Square Enix, and Square Enix's Manga UP! platform. ↗
Episode 23 historical reveal
Episode 23 recasts the Battle of Sekigahara and the Tokugawa victory as the work of Higashi Village and a pair of twins, with the defeated Daemon wielders of Nishi Village going into hiding to plan revenge. ↗
Cast
Kensho Ono voices Yuru, Yume Miyamoto voices Asa, and Yuichi Nakamura voices Dera. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Announced
second season · 2026-09-19
Release
tv · April 4 · Japan · 2026-09-19
Release
tv · episode 20 · 2026-08-28
Release
tv · 2026-08-06 · 2026-08-06
Release
tv · 2026-07-27 · Japan · 2026-07-27
Release
tv · 2026-07-21 · 2026-07-21
Release
tv · 2026-07-04 · Japan · 2026-06-27
Release
tv · 2026-06-22 · 2026-06-22
Release
tv · 2026-06-15 · 2026-06-15
Release
tv · 2026-06-01 · global · 2026-06-01
Release
tv · 2026-04-04 · Japan · 2026-05-17
Licensed by
Crunchyroll (English) · 2026-09-19
Licensed by
Manta (global) · 2026-09-07
Noted
Episode 22 splits into two character studies · 2026-09-08
Noted
The first follows Gonzo's first meeting with Asuma's mother Iori · 2026-09-08
Noted
The meeting reads as evidence that Gonzo genuinely loved Iori · 2026-09-08
Noted
The second follows Akio, an orphan Gonzo took in · 2026-09-08
Noted
Akio turned traitor after finding a sense of belonging with people from Nishino Village · 2026-09-08
Noted
The episode casts Akio as a possible future for Asa and Yuru · 2026-09-08
Noted
The episode uses Akio's betrayal to frame the twins' search for belonging as a potential path to treason · 2026-09-08
Noted
Gonzo's marriage to Iori complicates his image as a pure schemer · 2026-09-08
Noted
Episode 21 brings the confrontation between Yuru, Asa, and the Daemons who deceived them. · 2026-09-01
Noted
Kiri and Danji lied to Yuru for years, binding and controlling him, yet the betrayal carried no malice. · 2026-09-01
Noted
Asa, who tried to kill Kiri in the first episode, now sees her as a victim. · 2026-09-01
Noted
The episode reveals Asa's obsession with Yuru as a coping mechanism after a decade of isolation. · 2026-09-01
Noted
Episode 21 reframes the series' central deception as one without malice and grounds Asa's obsessive attachment to Yuru in a decade of isolation, making the siblings' trust the emotional core. · 2026-09-01
Noted
Episode 18 centers on Asuma · 2026-08-14
Noted
Episode 18 ends on a cliffhanger · 2026-08-14
Noted
Episode 18 reframes Asuma as a possible puppet master · 2026-08-14
Noted
Episode 5 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm brings Yuru and Asa together at last · 2026-05-19
Noted
the meeting adds complexity to the parents' disappearance and reveals more than two factions are after the siblings · 2026-05-19
Noted
leads to an action scene that forces Yuru to fight alongside the Kagemori clan · 2026-05-19
Noted
Ivan's sword's daemon-draining power backfires when used on strong enemies like Left · 2026-08-28
Noted
the episode names Nishino Village as the third major faction · 2026-08-28
Noted
Nishino Village has been pulling Hayato's strings · 2026-08-28
Noted
the episode strips Ivan of his invincibility by revealing the rules and time limits of his power · 2026-08-28
Noted
setting up Yuru's hunt and the coming confrontation between Yuru, Fake Asa, and Asa · 2026-08-28
Noted
The episode also develops Gabby, who tries to kill Akio after he threatens to destroy the Kagemori compound. · 2026-08-06
Noted
Kei Sugawara performs the ending theme song "Kujaku" (Peacock), while Masanori Otoda provides the opening theme song "back shot." · 2026-06-27
Noted
Episode 10 criticized for contrived fight logic · 2026-06-08

Connections

Music by
kei sugawara, masanori otoda
Voice cast
yu shimamura, hayato fujii, ako mayama, shigeru chiba, shinichiro miki
Writes of
hiromu arakawa
Produces of
square enix
Voice cast of
ben stegmair, molly zhang, kappei yamaguchi, yoshiko sakakibara

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/daemons-of-the-shadow-realm. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Daemons of the Shadow Realm was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed platform: Crunchyroll; region: global Sep 28 · source
  • Confirmed tv 2026-06-01 global Sep 26 · source
  • Disputed region: global; platform: Crunchyroll Sep 24 · source
  • Confirmed platform: Crunchyroll; region: English Sep 21 · source
  • Confirmed tv April 4 Japan Sep 21 · source
  • Confirmed second season Sep 21 · source
  • Debunked platform: Manta; region: global Sep 18 · source
  • Debunked Daemons of the Shadow Realm voices Ayumu Murase Sep 13 · source
  • Confirmed Molly Zhang voices Daemons of the Shadow Realm Sep 13 · source
  • Disputed Molly Zhang voices Daemons of the Shadow Realm Sep 12 · source
  • Debunked kappei yamaguchi voices Daemons of the Shadow Realm Sep 11 · source
  • Confirmed Square Enix produces Daemons of the Shadow Realm Sep 11 · source

All coverage

Sep 19

Daemons Of The Shadow Realm Gets Second Season After Finale

The staff of the Daemons of the Shadow Realm television anime announced a second season after the final episode of the first season aired on Sunday. The first season ran for two consecutive cours and 24 episodes, adapting Hiromu Arakawa's manga. Masahiro Ando, whose credits include Sword of the Stranger, directed the anime at Bones Film. Noboru Takagi oversaw the series scripts, Nobuhiro Arai designed the characters and worked as chief animation director, and Kenichiro Suehiro composed the music. Kensho Ono voices Yuru and Yume Miyamoto voices Asa, with Yuichi Nakamura as Dera, Misaki Kuno as Gabu-chan, Takako Honda as Left, Rikiya Koyama as Right, and Miyuri Shimabukuro as Hana. The anime premiered on April 4 on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV, and Crunchyroll streamed it with a same-day English dub. Arakawa launched the manga in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021.

Sep 15

Daemons Of The Shadow Realm Episode 23 Ties Up The Sengoku Reveal

Episode 23 reveals the series' conflict as a continuation of the Sengoku Era, with the Battle of Sekigahara and the Tokugawa victory recast as the work of Higashi Village and a pair of twins. The defeated Daemon wielders of Nishi Village went into hiding and planned revenge. The reviewer questions whether a grudge carried more than 400 years can carry weight.

Sep 8

Episode 22 Pairs Gonzo's Love with Akio's Betrayal

Episode 22 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm splits into two character studies. The first follows Gonzo's first meeting with Asuma's mother Iori, which reads as evidence that Gonzo, despite his pragmatism, genuinely loved her. The second follows Akio, an orphan Gonzo took in who turned traitor after finding a sense of belonging with people from Nishino Village. The episode casts Akio as a possible future for Asa and Yuru.

Sep 7

Manta Adds 300+ Manga Titles From KADOKAWA and Square Enix

Manta, the global content platform, announced worldwide distribution deals with KADOKAWA, Square Enix, and Square Enix's Manga UP! platform. More than 300 titles are being added, including The Apothecary Diaries, Proud to be the Villainess, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, and Tokyo Ravens. The company launched its manga category in April with Kodansha titles.

Sep 1

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 21 Lands the Emotional Climax

Episode 21 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm brings the confrontation between Yuru, Asa, and the Daemons who deceived them. Kiri and Danji lied to Yuru for years, binding and controlling him, yet the betrayal carried no malice. Asa, who tried to kill Kiri in the first episode, now sees her as a victim. The episode reveals Asa's obsession with Yuru as a coping mechanism after a decade of isolation.

Aug 17

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 19 Tests Yuru and Asa's Moral Code

Anime News Network's review of episode 19 reads the installment as a study of how Yuru and Asa think. Yuru, who walked into a trap to save Fake Asa and a village girl, must choose between the hostages and his long-held goal of finding his parents. Asa rescues the hostages and saves Fake Asa as a calculated move, putting her brother's need for the truth ahead of vengeance. Yuru responds by agreeing to meet her after the crisis.

Aug 14

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 18 Puts Asuma and Yuru in the Spotlight

Episode 18 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm centers on Asuma, whose motives remain ambiguous despite Yozakura's claim that his daemons are held hostage by a loathed relative. The episode ends on a cliffhanger with Asa arriving to save the captives while Yuru faces a moral dilemma between saving a friend or an innocent child.

Aug 6

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 17 Turns a Traitor Into a Twist

Episode 17 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm reveals that Akio, a member of Jin's squad, wanted Yuru dead, a fact set up back in episode 4. The episode also develops Gabby, who tries to kill Akio after he threatens to destroy the Kagemori compound. The review praises Hiromu Arakawa's long-game plotting.

Jul 27

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 16 Pits Yuru Against Manipulation

Episode 16 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm focuses on Yuru's interrogation by Hayato and Asuma, who try to recruit him with promises of freedom and reminders of betrayal. Yuru resists, trusting his allies and stalling for rescue. Dera's loyalty is also questioned in a separate scene.

Jul 21

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episodes 13-15: Yuru Finally Breaks Down

In episodes 13-15 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm, protagonist Yuru reaches a breaking point after learning his best friend Danji and his little sister are Daemons. He spirals into paranoid suspicion of everyone around him before eventually recognizing his own avoidance patterns. The episodes also set up a confrontation with Ivan and Hayato, who kidnap the fake Asa to draw Yuru out.

Jun 27

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Cour 2 Trailer Reveals Theme Song Artists

The staff for the television anime of Hiromu Arakawa's Daemons of the Shadow Realm manga released the main promotional video, key visual, and theme song details for the second cour on Sunday. Kei Sugawara performs the ending theme song "Kujaku" (Peacock), while Masanori Otoda provides the opening theme song "back shot." The second cour debuts on July 4. The anime, directed by Masahiro Ando at Bones Film, premiered on April 4 and is set to run for two consecutive cours. Crunchyroll streams the series with a same-day English dub. The cast includes Kensho Ono as Yuru, Yume Miyamoto as Asa, Yuichi Nakamura as Dera, and Misaki Kuno as Gabu-chan. Noboru Takagi oversees series scripts, Nobuhiro Arai handles character design and chief animation direction, and Kenichiro Suehiro composes the music. Arakawa launched the manga in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021, with the 13th volume releasing July 10.

Jun 22

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 12 Expands World-Building and Raises New Questions

Episode 12 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm shifts focus from Yuru and Asa's personal story to broader world-building, showing how different demon-wielding factions react to recent events. The episode introduces Ivan's infiltration of Higashi Village, reveals that villagers were aware of a plot to kill Yuru, and questions the effectiveness of the village's barrier defenses.

Jun 15

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 11 Reveals Ken as Dera's Half-Brother

Episode 11 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm introduces Ken, Dera's previously unknown half-brother, who claims to have found powerful Daemons by chance. The episode also reveals that Dera's father helped Yuru and Asa's parents escape their village before disappearing. The review questions Ken's trustworthiness and suggests he may be a spy.

Jun 8

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 10 Criticized for Contrived Fight Logic

Anime News Network's review of episode 10 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm gives the episode a community score of 4.1 but criticizes the fight choreography as contrived. The reviewer argues that Dera's use of a sniper rifle is illogical, as he could have ended the battle immediately but instead made choices that prolonged the fight for dramatic effect.

Jun 3

Ben Stegmair Discusses Mentorship and Manga Rushmore on Something Genuine

Voice actor and ADR assistant director Ben Stegmair appeared on the podcast Something Genuine Season 2, Episode 2. He discussed his early focus on voice acting, the mentors who shaped his career, and his role as Yuru in Daemons of the Shadow Realm. Stegmair also shared his Mt. Rushmore of manga and his ambition to create original comics.

Jun 1

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 9 Ties Up Loose Ends

Episode 9 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm is a necessary but not particularly entertaining episode that focuses on tying up loose ends. The Kagemoris investigate the mastermind behind the previous night's attacks, revealing a fool-proof lie detector and that the attack was an inside job. Meanwhile, Dera takes Yuru shopping for arrow-making supplies, leading to discussions about the bandits who attacked Yuru and the likely involvement of Higashi Village. The episode ends with Dera and Yuru leading their pursuers into a trap, but two of the three are killed by Tenaga-Ashinaga, setting up a fight between Left and Right and Tenaga-Ashinaga.

May 31

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Anime Adds Five Cast Members

The television anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's manga Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Yomi no Tsugai) announced five new cast members on Sunday, May 31. Yū Shimamura will voice Natsuki Kurotani, and Hayato Fujii will play Fuyuki Kurotani. Ayumu Murase joins as Blacklist. Ako Mayama and Shigeru Chiba will voice the dual role of Tenaga Ashinaga (Long Arms Long Legs), debuting in the anime's 10th episode on June 6. The anime premiered on April 4 on Tokyo MX, BS11, and other channels, and is set for two consecutive cours. Crunchyroll streams the series with a same-day English dub. Bones Film produces the anime, with Masahiro Andō directing, Noboru Takagi handling series scripts, and Nobuhiro Arai designing characters. Kenichiro Suehiro composes the music. Vaundy performs the opening theme "Tobu Toki" (Time to Fly), and singer yama performs the ending theme "Tobō yo" (Let's Fly). Arakawa launched the manga in Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021; the 13th volume ships July 10.

May 31

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 1 Is a Gory, Thrilling Premiere

Anime Feminist reviewed the first episode of Daemons of the Shadow Realm, the new anime based on Hiromu Arakawa's manga. The review praises the premiere for its extreme violence, gore, and thrilling action, calling it a strong start that sets up intriguing world-building questions. The story follows Yuru, a young man in a seemingly peaceful mountain village, and his sister Asa, who is locked up as part of a community ritual tied to a prophecy about controlling Daemon forces. The review highlights the show's feminist themes, particularly the critique of patriarchal control and women's complicity in subjugation, embodied by the Granny character who forces Yuru's mother to delay childbirth. The episode tears apart the village's status quo, forcing Yuru to venture out into the world. The review notes the excellent execution from director Masahiro Ando and Studio Bones, with sublime character animation and action. The character designs follow Arakawa's style of broad-shouldered men and curvy women. The review avoids spoiling the twist but says the community hides a terrible secret revealed by episode's end.

May 30

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Anime Previews 9th Episode

The anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's manga Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Yomi no Tsugai) has released its first preview for the 9th episode, which airs on May 30, 2026. The series debuted on April 4, 2026, and streams on Crunchyroll. The manga, which began in 2021, has over three million copies in circulation. The anime is directed by Masahiro Ando with scripts by Noboru Takagi, character designs by Nobuhiro Arai, and animation production by Bones Film. The Japanese cast includes Kensho Ono as Yuru, Yume Miyamoto as Asa, Yuichi Nakamura as Dera, and others. The opening theme is "Tobu Toki" by Vandy, and the ending theme is "Tobo Yo" by yama. In a separate interview, English dub voice actors Ben Stegmair (Yuru) and Molly Zhang (Asa) discussed their approaches to the roles, with Stegmair noting he plays three distinct versions of Yuru and Zhang describing how she used a different voice for the fake Asa.

May 19

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Episode 5 Delivers the Long-Awaited Sibling Meeting

Episode 5 of Daemons of the Shadow Realm brings Yuru and Asa together at last, avoiding a tease and instead advancing the layered mysteries of the series. The meeting adds complexity to the parents' disappearance and reveals more than two factions are after the siblings, leading to an action scene that forces Yuru to fight alongside the Kagemori clan.

May 17

Daemons of the Shadow Realm Adds Kappei Yamaguchi and Yoshiko Sakakibara to Cast

The staff for the television anime of Hiromu Arakawa's Daemons of the Shadow Realm confirmed two new cast members on May 16. Kappei Yamaguchi voices Hikaru Kagemori, and Yoshiko Sakakibara voices Kai. Both characters debuted in the seventh episode, which aired in Japan on the same day. The anime premiered on April 4 on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV, and is set to run for two consecutive cours. Crunchyroll streams the series with a same-day English dub. Masahiro Ando directs at Bones Film, with Noboru Takagi overseeing series scripts and Nobuhiro Arai handling character designs. Kenichiro Suehiro composes the music. Vaundy performs the opening theme "Tobu Toki," and yama performs the ending theme "Tobo yo." The manga, which Arakawa launched in Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021, has 12 compiled volumes as of March 2026. Square Enix Manga & Books publishes the English edition. The story follows twins Yuru and Asa, separated at a young age, who must reunite and claim their birthright over powerful entities called Daemons.