A new trailer for the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Yomi no Tsugai) has unveiled additional staff members and confirmed an April 2026 premiere window. The announcement was made during Crunchyroll’s New York Comic Con 2025 industry panel on Thursday, October 9, local time, where a teaser promotional video featuring new footage was also released. The series is slated to run for two consecutive cours.
The anime, based on the latest manga from the acclaimed creator of Fullmetal Alchemist, is being produced by the renowned Studio Bones, in collaboration with Square Enix and Aniplex, echoing the “dream team” behind the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime. Crunchyroll will handle global streaming for the upcoming series.
Key Staff Additions and Production Details
While some key staff members were previously announced, the latest trailer and panel revealed a more comprehensive production team. Masahiro Andō (known for Sword of the Stranger) is directing the anime at Bones Film. Noboru Takagi (Golden Kamuy, Kingdom seasons 3-6) is overseeing the series scripts, and Kenichiro Suehiro (Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Golden Kamuy) is composing the music.
Newly announced and confirmed staff include:
- Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Nobuhiro Arai (Bungo Stray Dogs)
- Twin Design: Kouji Sugiura (Fullmetal Alchemist animation director) and Yoshiyuki Itou (Soul Eater chief animation director)
- Art Director: Tatsurou Oonishi (Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia)
- Art Design: Nariyuki Ogi (Fairy Gone), Shuuhei Tada (Nageki no Bourei wa Intai shitai)
- Color Design: Yukari Gotou (Kekkai Sensen)
- 3D Director: Mizuki Sasaki
- Director of Photography: Eiei Cho (Vanitas no Karte)
- Editing: Ayumu Takahashi (Sirius)
- Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi (Nanatsu no Taizai)
- Sound Effects: Kousuke Ogata
The returning collaboration of Square Enix, Aniplex, and Bones for this project has drawn significant attention, given their successful history with Arakawa’s previous work.
What to Expect from Daemons of the Shadow Realm
Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Japanese: Yomi no Tsugai) is a fantasy battle-action series. It follows the journey of twins, Yuru and Asa, who were separated at a young age. Set in a remote mountain village, Yuru lives a peaceful life, while his twin sister Asa is confined due to a mysterious “duty”. The story delves into a world where certain humans can control supernatural creatures known as Daemons. The twins are prophesied as “the children who sunder day and night” and are destined to rule over these powerful entities. Their peaceful existence is shattered when they are drawn into a conflict that reveals deeper secrets about their village and their own abilities, forcing them to reunite to save the world.
The teaser promotional video highlighted a blend of striking action with rich character expression, conveying the vast scale and tension of the story. Fans can anticipate an “otherworldly fantasy where mystery and the uncanny intertwine,” as described by director Masahiro Andō.
Manga’s Acclaim and Anticipation
Hiromu Arakawa launched the Daemons of the Shadow Realm manga in Square Enix’s Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine in December 2021. The series quickly garnered acclaim, surpassing 4 million copies in circulation. It was nominated for the 17th Manga Taishō in 2024, placing second, and has been nominated for the 48th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category. Square Enix Manga & Books is releasing the manga in English.
The strong critical reception and the involvement of the same production team responsible for Fullmetal Alchemist have created considerable anticipation for the anime adaptation, with many fans eager to see Arakawa’s latest work brought to life on screen. The two-cour format also suggests a substantial adaptation that will allow for a thorough exploration of the manga’s story.
