The official website for the 9-nine- Ruler’s Crown TV anime, based on Palette’s 9-nine- game, has released its first promotional video, announcing a July 2025 premiere. The trailer also reveals and previews the ending theme song, “Pale Blaze,” performed by Chihiro Yonekura, who previously contributed to the game’s music.
What to Expect From 9-nine- Ruler’s Crown
Story and Setting
9-nine- Ruler’s Crown takes place in Shiromitsugawa, a seemingly ordinary college town striving to revitalize itself through tourism. Despite various attempts, including a poorly received anime based on local folklore, the town remains unremarkable. However, this changes when a storm descends upon Shiromitsugawa, triggering a series of extraordinary events. The destruction of a sacred relic at the local shrine awakens superhuman abilities in several young residents, including the protagonist, Kakeru Niimi.
As supernatural forces emerge, Shiromitsugawa becomes the hunting ground for a superpowered serial killer. Kakeru, a young man with a strong sense of responsibility, must navigate his newfound abilities and race against time to stop the killer before they strike again. The story blends elements of trust, romance, and mystery as Kakeru and his allies work together to solve the supernatural murders. The anime shares the same world and setting as the visual novel, with each episode focusing on a different heroine.
Production
PRA is producing the anime, with Kōichi Ōhata (known for Burst Angel, Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny, and Maken-Ki! Battling Venus) directing. Saori Sakiguchi (number24, Technoroid Overmind) is designing the characters, ensuring a faithful adaptation with a distinct sense of style. Kōsuke Koremizu is in charge of series composition.
Cast
The anime features a returning voice cast from the original visual novel, ensuring continuity and familiarity for fans:
- Atsushi Abe as Kakeru Niimi
- Misato Fukuen as Miyako Kujō
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Sora Niimi
- Yuri Yamaoka as Haruka Kōsaka
- Akane Fujita as Noa Yūki
- Satomi Arai as Sophitia
- Kazutomi Yamamoto as Yoichi Fukazawa
- Tomokazu Sugita as Renya Takamine
- Hana Takeda as Satsuki Naruse
Background on the 9-nine- Visual Novel Series
The 9-nine- series is a Japanese adult visual novel developed and published by Palette. It was released for Windows in four episodes from 2017 to 2020 and later ported to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in June 2022. Sekai Project released an English version of the visual novels between February 2019 and March 2021. An all-ages extra episode was released in April 2021. A manga adaptation with art by Izumi Kawachi has been serialized online via Futabasha’s Gaugau Monster website since October 2021. A spin-off game is also slated for release in Q4 2025.
Key Staff
- Original Creator: Palette
- Director: Kōichi Ōhata
- Character Design: Saori Sakiguchi
- Animation Production: PRA
Ending Theme Song
The ending theme song, “Pale Blaze,” is performed by Chihiro Yonekura, who has contributed to the music of the games. The song is written by Tako Yamaguchi and composed and arranged by Shota Horie.
Additional Information
An advanced screening of the first two episodes is scheduled for June 15 at the Parthenon Tama, with cast members in attendance.
With its blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural elements, 9-nine- Ruler’s Crown promises to be an exciting addition to the anime lineup in July 2025. Fans of the visual novel series and newcomers alike can look forward to an immersive experience filled with engaging storytelling and plot twists.
