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SEKIRO

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT finished its initial three-week theatrical run and added a second wave of screenings from October 2, with new venues. Merchandise tied to the film is on sale through Kadostore and SuperGroupies, and Crunchyroll's worldwide stream is planned for later in 2026.

Synthesized from 22 Yomimono stories · updated 1d ago

The SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT film opened in Japanese theaters on September 4, 2026, for a limited three-week run. It is a fully hand-drawn 2D animation based on FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, directed by Kenichi Kutsuna with animation production by Qzil.la and production by KADOKAWA and Arch. The film carries a PG12 rating and runs 107 minutes, condensing the game's story and centering on the bond between Wolf and Kuro. Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sato, and Kenjiro Tsuda reprise their game roles, with Shuta Hasunuma composing and Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Blu" as the theme song.

Before release, the production committee stated that no generative AI was used, a response to audience concern over Qzil.la's selection. The film appeared at Annecy and Fantasia and drew a sneak peek at SXSW. Coverage has focused on the adaptation's decisions: new scenes for Ashina's villagers, a cooking detail for Hanbei the Undying, and text explanations for game terms. Some lore may be unclear to newcomers, according to a press preview.

On September 21, the official account announced additional screenings starting October 2, along with a second round of theaters, after the initial three-week run. Merchandise landed alongside the theatrical window: Kadostore opened pre-orders on September 4 for plushies, pamphlets, tea ware, and postcards, while SuperGroupies opened apparel pre-orders on September 17 covering Wolf, Kuro, and Genichiro Ashina. Crunchyroll will stream the film worldwide excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus in 2026.

Key facts

Theatrical run
Opened September 4, 2026 for a limited three-week run; additional screenings begin October 2 with a second round of theaters ↗
Format
Fully hand-drawn 2D animation, directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, animation production by Qzil.la, production by KADOKAWA and Arch, PG12 rating ↗
Cast
Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf, Miyuki Sato as Kuro, Kenjiro Tsuda as Genichiro Ashina, reprising their game roles ↗
Theme song
"Blu" by Ryuichi Sakamoto ↗
Streaming
Crunchyroll will stream worldwide excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus in 2026 ↗
Festival selection
Screened at Annecy International Animated Film Festival's Midnight Special section and Fantasia International Film Festival's Animation Plus section ↗
AI statement
The production committee stated no generative AI was used in the adaptation ↗
Kadostore merchandise
Pre-orders opened September 4, 2026 for Wolf and Kuro plushies, theater pamphlets, Kuro's tea canister and cup, and a five-postcard set ↗
Apparel
SuperGroupies pre-orders opened September 17 for Wolf, Kuro, and Genichiro Ashina T-shirts and hoodies, closing October 13 ↗
Steam sale
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was 50% off on Steam, dropping to 4,180 yen until July 10 ↗

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
additional screenings beginning October 2 and a second round of theater locations (official account announcement on September 21) · 2026-09-21
Release
movie · three-week run from September 4 · 2026-09-21
Release
movie · October 2 · 2026-09-21
Release
game · 2019 · 2026-06-27

Connections

Music by of
sekiro no defeat

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/sekiro. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

13h ago

Sekiro: No Defeat Anime Adds 8-Episode TV Run In January 2027

Kadokawa announced on September 25, 2026 that the anime Sekiro: No Defeat will air as an eight-episode TV series starting in January 2027. The announcement also confirmed that the film version, which has been screening in theaters since September 4, is an edited version of the TV series rather than a separate work. The TV broadcast follows the same story as the film but adds many new episodes and cuts. Alongside the news, a key visual was released showing the protagonist Wolf and Kuro with powerful enemies behind them. The series is based on FromSoftware's game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The eight-episode count matches the length of the original TV version the film was cut from. The January 2027 broadcast window places the TV run roughly four months after the film's theatrical debut.

4d ago

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Adds Screenings From October 2 After Three-Week Run

The official account for the theatrical anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT announced on September 21 that additional screenings will begin October 2, along with a second round of theater locations. The film, based on FromSoftware's SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, was originally set for a three-week run from September 4. It is fully hand-drawn 2D animation directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, with character design by Takahiro Kishida and animation production by Qzil.la. Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sato and Kenjiro Tsuda reprise their game roles.

Sep 17

Sekiro: No Defeat Apparel Pre-Orders Open With Wolf, Kuro, Genichiro Ashina

Aniware Inc. opened pre-orders on September 17 for five graphic apparel items tied to the theatrical anime Sekiro: No Defeat, sold through its SuperGroupies e-commerce site. The lineup covers T-shirts and hoodies printed with Wolf, Kuro, and Genichiro Ashina. A Wolf & Kuro model places the two characters on the back and front respectively and ships as a black T-shirt, a white T-shirt, and a hoodie. A Genichiro Ashina T-shirt centers on the character's eyes, with the work's logo at the neckline. A Wolf VS Genichiro Ashina hoodie carries the two figures on the back and a standing Kuro silhouette on the front. T-shirts run 6,600 yen each with tax, hoodies 12,100 yen each, in sizes S through XXL. The pre-order window closes October 13 at noon, with delivery scheduled for around early December.

Sep 6

Sekiro: No Defeat Director Details Quest for Maximum Beauty

Director Kenichi Kutsuna said he set the theme for the theatrical anime Sekiro: No Defeat as "poignant and beautiful" from the proposal stage. He wanted to depict the story of Wolf and Kuro, set in the late Sengoku period, with hand-drawn 2D animation, adding scenes of ordinary villagers so Kuro could show age-appropriate emotions. The film is now screening for three weeks.

Sep 2

Sekiro: No Defeat Plushies and Pamphlets Open for Pre-Order at Kadostore

Pre-orders for merchandise tied to the anime film Sekiro: No Defeat begin at Kadostore on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The lineup includes plushies of Wolf and Kuro, two versions of the theater pamphlet, a tea canister and cup inspired by Kuro's teahouse, and a set of five postcards. The Wolf and Kuro plushies each cost 3,850 yen including tax, measure about 12 centimeters, and are scheduled to ship in November 2026. The regular theater pamphlet is priced at 1,650 yen, while the special edition with a digital making-of costs 3,300 yen. The special edition includes a serial code for a web app that shows about 25 cuts of original drawings alongside the completed footage. Kuro's Tea, a canister with about 10 grams of green tea, costs 3,300 yen, and the matching tea cup costs 1,320 yen. The postcard set is 550 yen. Most items release in September 2026, and pre-orders close on October 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The film itself opens in Japanese theaters for a three-week run on September 4.

Aug 30

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Anime Event Hands Out Ashina Water Bottles

KADOKAWA announced an event for the theatrical anime 'SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT' on September 5 at Shibuya Scramble Square. Attendees get free 'Ashina Water' label water bottles, a photo spot, and a 'Hesitate, and You Lose' sticker for posting photos. A Tokyo Tower projection mapping collaboration runs September 11 to 23.

Aug 28

Sekiro: No Defeat Film Unveils New Scene Cuts, Director Interview

The production team behind the theatrical anime Sekiro: No Defeat released new scene cuts and an official interview with director Kenichi Kutsuna on August 27, ahead of the film's limited three-week theatrical run starting September 4. The all-hand-drawn 2D animated film, based on FromSoftware's action game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, is produced by Qzil.la Inc., with production handled by KADOKAWA Corporation and planning by Arch Inc. The film carries a PG12 rating. The newly released cuts focus on the melancholic bond between the protagonist Wolf, voiced by Daisuke Namikawa, and his young lord Kuro, voiced by Miyuki Sato, depicting the tragic fate shared by the pair as they seek the Mortal Blade. The film's story centers on the curse of immortality, the Dragon's Heritage blood that Kuro carries, and the disease Dragonrot that spreads as a consequence. Genichiro Ashina, voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda, is portrayed as a man who sought immortality not for selfish reasons but to save his dying homeland. The theme song is "Blu" by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Aug 21

Sekiro: No Defeat Streams Battle Clip of Wolf vs Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa

The staff of the anime film Sekiro: No Defeat began streaming main feature footage on August 21, 2026, focusing on the battle between protagonist Wolf and Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa, the warrior guarding the great gate of Ashina Castle. The clip shows Gyoubu on his horse Onikage, announcing himself with the line from the game, and attacking with a cross-bladed spear while Wolf uses the shinobi prosthetic and grappling hook. The film is fully hand-drawn 2D animation, produced by Qzil.la with Kenichi Kutsuna directing in his feature-length debut. The screenplay is by Takuya Sato, character design by Takahiro Kishida, and music by Shuta Hasunuma. The cast reprises roles from the game, including Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf and Miyuki Sato as Kuro. The film will screen in Japanese theaters for three weeks starting September 4, 2026, with a PG12 rating. Crunchyroll will stream it worldwide excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus in 2026. The theme song is Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Blu."

Aug 18

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Releases Divine Heir Character PV and Rice Day Visual

The theatrical anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, based on FromSoftware's action game SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, released a character PV and new scene cuts for the Divine Heir on August 18, which is Rice Day in Japan. The Divine Heir, voiced by Risa Shimizu, is a character with the power to produce rice and holds the key to severing the Dragon's Heritage. The new visual depicts the Divine Heir holding rice in both hands while wrapped in white light. The scene cuts showcase the film's fully hand-drawn 2D background art, created by art director Yuji Kaneko of Studio Blueprints, who painted each piece on paper with brush and paint. The backgrounds include Ashina Castle against snowy mountains, Wolf and Kuro in a pampas grass plain, and Wolf facing Genichiro in the castle's great hall. The film is directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, with animation production by Qzil.la, and will be screened nationwide for a limited three-week run starting September 4. A giveaway campaign on X offers special packaged glossy rice to winners who quote-repost with the hashtag '#お米は大事' (Rice is Important) by August 25.

Aug 14

Sekiro: No Defeat Reveals First-Week Gift, Stage Greetings, and Ohagi Collaboration

KADOKAWA announced on August 14, 2026 that the theatrical anime Sekiro: No Defeat will offer a newly drawn visual board by character designer Takahiro Kishida as its first-week visitor gift. The film, based on FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, will screen in theaters nationwide for a limited three-week run starting September 4. The B5-sized visual board will be distributed from September 4 to September 11, while supplies last at each theater. Commemorative stage greetings are scheduled for September 5 in Osaka and Nagoya, featuring director Kenichi Kutsuna, assistant director Shunsuke Fukui, and animation producer Shun Fukutome. A separate cast stage greeting will take place on September 6 at Shinjuku Wald 9, with voice actors Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sato, Shizuka Ito, and Tetsuo Kanao. The film also announced a collaboration with Kakiyasu's Kofukudo wagashi shop, selling an original ohagi inspired by the ones Wolf and Kuro make in the story. A single ohagi costs 360 yen, while a three-piece set with a postcard costs 1,500 yen, available from September 4 at Kofukudo stores nationwide.

Aug 9

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Anime Sets Limited 3-Week Screening From September 4

The theatrical anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, based on FromSoftware's action-adventure game SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, will screen nationwide for a limited three-week period starting September 4. The detailed story flow has not been revealed, but the trailer and synopsis confirm shared basic settings with the game, though the anime may not follow the same story.

Aug 9

Ashina Castle From Sekiro Recreated as Detailed Garage Kit

A garage kit of Ashina Castle from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was displayed at Wonder Festival 2026 Summer. The kit includes the castle town and main keep, priced at 50,000 yen. It recreates scenes like the Blazing Bull and the fight with Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa.

Aug 3

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Anime Releases New Character Cuts

On August 3, 2026, the production committee for the theatrical anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT released a new set of character cuts featuring six main characters. The film, based on FromSoftware's action-adventure game SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, is produced by Qzil.la and directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, with character designs by Takahiro Kishida. The newly released cuts show Wolf, Kuro, Genichiro Ashina, Emma, Owl, and Isshin Ashina, each captured at a moment of resolve and unyielding conviction. Wolf, a one-armed shinobi, stands in a bamboo grove with a scar on his forehead, while Kuro, his master, holds a hand to his forehead with a smile that blends nobility and innocence. Genichiro Ashina, grandson of Isshin, wears a helmet catching ominous light, and Emma draws her sword on a dim grassland. Owl emerges from darkness, and Isshin, the Sword Saint, shows a dignified bearing despite his age. The film is scheduled for a limited three-week run in theaters nationwide starting September 4, 2026. A completion screening with stage greetings will be held on August 14 at United Cinemas Toyosu, featuring voice actors Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sato, Kenjiro Tsuda, and Shizuka Ito, along with director Kutsuna.

Jul 26

Sekiro: No Defeat Anime Sets August 14 Completion Screening With Cast

The theatrical anime 'SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT,' based on FromSoftware's action-adventure game 'SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE,' will hold a completion screening with stage greetings on August 14, 2026, at United Cinemas Toyosu. The event, announced on July 24 by Qzil.la and KADOKAWA, includes an advance showing of the film followed by appearances from voice actors Daisuke Namikawa (Wolf), Miyuki Sato (Kuro), Kenjiro Tsuda (Genichiro Ashina), Shizuka Ito (Emma), and director Kenichi Kutsuna. Ryudo Nakakura will serve as MC. Regular seats are 2,700 yen, and premium pair seats (two tickets) are 6,600 yen, both tax included. Advance lottery reservations via Ticket Pia run from July 25 at 18:00 to August 9 at 23:59, with general sales starting August 11 at 10:00. The film is entirely hand-drawn 2D animation, directed by Kenichi Kutsuna with script by Takuya Sato and character design by Takahiro Kishida. Animation production is by Qzil.la, with production and produce by KADOKAWA and ARCH. The theme song is 'Blu' by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The film will screen nationwide for a limited three weeks starting September 4. It has also been selected for the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2026 'Midnight Special' section and the Fantasia International Film Festival 'Animation Plus' section.

Jul 19

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Film Expands Focus to Ashina's People

The SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT anime film, based on FromSoftware's game, opens September 4 for a three-week run. The film follows Wolf but also gives screen time to Kuro, Genichiro, Emma, the Sculptor, Isshin, and Hanbei, showing their thoughts and actions during his battles. The hand-drawn animation emphasizes the weight of each sword strike.

Jul 12

Sekiro: No Defeat Trailer Launches With Ticket Presales in Japan

Kadokawa, Crunchyroll, Qzil.la, and ARCH released a new trailer for the Sekiro: No Defeat anime adaptation and began ticket presales in Japan. The series premieres in Japanese theaters on September 4 for a three-week run, with a worldwide Crunchyroll stream planned later in 2026.

Jul 2

Sekiro: No Defeat Anime Film Focuses on Wolf and Kuro's Bond

The theatrical anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, based on FromSoftware's game, will screen in Japan for three weeks from September 4, 2026. A press preview report describes a 107-minute film that condenses the original story, omits some battles, and centers on the relationship between protagonist Wolf and the Divine Heir Kuro. The film includes text explanations for game terms like Resurrection, but the preview notes some lore may be unclear to newcomers.

Jun 27

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Gets 50% Off Steam Sale Ahead of Anime Film

FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is 50% off on Steam, dropping to 4,180 yen until July 10. The 2019 Game of the Year winner holds a 'Very Positive' rating from over 340,000 reviews. A theatrical anime adaptation, SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, opens September 4 for a limited three-week run.

Jun 26

SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Anime Trailer Reveals September 4 Theatrical Run

The staff of the theatrical anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT released a trailer on June 26, 2026, confirming a limited three-week theatrical run in Japan starting September 4. The film is a fully hand-drawn 2D adaptation of FromSoftware's action-adventure game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Kenichi Kutsuna directs at studio Qzil.la, with Takuya Sato writing the screenplay and Takahiro Kishida handling character design. The original game's voice cast reprises their roles, including Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf, Miyuki Sato as Kuro, and Kenjiro Tsuda as Genichiro Ashina. Shuta Hasunuma composes the music, and the theme song is Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Blu" from his 2014 album. Crunchyroll will stream the anime worldwide in 2026, excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus. The film screened out of competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Advance tickets went on sale June 26 with a bonus clear file. The production committee issued a statement in August 2025 confirming no generative AI was used in the animation.

Jun 19

Sekiro: No Defeat Theatrical Anime Sets September 4 Nationwide Release

The theatrical anime adaptation of FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, titled Sekiro: No Defeat, will open in 56 theaters across Japan on September 4. The film is produced as full hand-drawn 2D animation by Qzil.la Inc., with KADOKAWA and Arch Inc. handling production. It has also been selected for the Midnight Specials section at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2026.

May 30

Crunchyroll Sets SXSW 2026 Lineup With Sekiro Anime Sneak Peek

Crunchyroll has announced its programming for SXSW 2026, taking place in Austin, Texas, from March 14 to 18. The lineup includes panels on anime's global growth, brand strategy, and fandom design, plus an interactive activation for the series "Sentenced to Be a Hero" featuring a lifelike animatronic doll. The centerpiece is an exclusive first look at the upcoming hand-drawn anime "Sekiro: No Defeat," adapted from FromSoftware's video game. The sneak peek includes a Q&A with director Kenichi Kutsuna and composer Shuta Hasunuma. The panel "How Anime Became a Worldwide Cultural Force" features Crunchyroll, Twitch, and content creator Lena Lemon, citing data that 54% of Gen Z respondents said they like or love anime. Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll's executive VP of global commerce, said SXSW is a convergence point for culture and that anime is having a major cultural moment. The activation for "Sentenced to Be a Hero" runs March 14-18 in the Omni Hotel lobby and requires no badge.

May 16

Sekiro Anime Sets Three-Week September Theatrical Run in Japan

The anime adaptation Sekiro: No Defeat will open in Japanese cinemas on September 4, 2026, for a limited three-week run. Kadokawa, Crunchyroll, Qzil.la, and ARCH announced the date alongside a new main visual. Crunchyroll confirmed the series will stream exclusively on its platform later in 2026. The production committee also released a statement that no generative AI is used in the adaptation, a response to audience concern after studio Qzil.la was chosen. Qzil.la is known for work involving AI technologies. Kenichi Kutsuna directs, with Takuya Satou writing the screenplay and Takahiro Kishida designing the characters. The voice cast includes Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf, Miyuki Satou as Kuro, and Kenjiro Tsuda as Genichiro Ashina. The story adapts FromSoftware's game, following the shinobi Sekiro and the Divine Heir during the warring Sengoku period as Ashina faces an internal threat.