Well, it’s happening. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is officially being turned into an anime, and it looks great.
Originally released in 2019, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is FromSoftware’s brutal, precision-based take on the action-adventure genre. Set in a twisted version of Sengoku-era Japan, it follows a shinobi named Wolf as he fights to rescue his kidnapped lord and restore his honor, armed with a prosthetic arm, a razor-sharp katana, and a lot of patience.
Fans have been quietly (and not so quietly) hoping for a sequel ever since, but while Sekiro 2 hasn’t been confirmed, the announcement of Sekiro: No Defeat during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 gives the franchise new life in a different medium.
It’s dropping in 2026, streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll. And based on the first trailer and art reveal, it looks beautiful. This thing is hand-drawn and dripping with the exact kind of stylized bloodletting you’d expect from a FromSoftware adaptation.
“We are taking on the monumental task of animating the breathtakingly beautiful Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In doing so, we are pouring every ounce of our artistic vision and passion for beauty into its production. The final product is being crafted to be a truly memorable experience, one that will leave a lasting impression on both dedicated fans of the game and those who are discovering the world of Sekiro for the very first time. Please look forward to it.”
The trailer wastes no time. It opens with Wolf clashing blades with Genichiro atop Ashina Castle in a thunderstorm. The animation you can expect is more Samurai Champloo than Demon Slayer. It’s got that slightly messy, painterly quality.
And if you’re an anime fan, some of these names will make your ears perk up.
Daisuke Namikawa returns as Sekiro himself. You’ve heard him before as Hisoka in Hunter x Hunter, Goemon in Lupin III, and Waver Velvet in Fate/Zero. Kenjiro Tsuda is back as Genichiro Ashina. You know this man’s voice. He’s Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Kishibe in Chainsaw Man.
Miyuki Satou reprises her role as Kuro, the Divine Heir. She’s not as instantly recognizable, but she’s played supporting roles in Bleach and Haikyuu!!
It’s being directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, who’s worked on big hitters like Naruto, Madoka Magica, and Gurren Lagann. Script’s by Takuya Satou, and the character designs are handled by Takahiro Kishida, who previously worked on Haikyuu!! and Durarara!!. The animation is being handled by Qzil.la, with production from ARCH.
The story looks like a faithful retelling of the game’s main arc: Wolf, a shinobi caught between duty and vengeance, protecting Kuro from enemies both mortal and monstrous. If the trailer’s anything to go by, we’ll get iconic boss fights and plenty of lore.
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