After facing production setbacks and delays, the television anime adaptation of Moto’o Nakanishi’s Sword of the Demon Hunter (Kijin Gentōshō) novel series is finally set to premiere on March 31, 2025. The announcement comes with the release of the anime’s first full promotional video, offering fans a glimpse into the historical fantasy world and its characters.
Premiere Details and Broadcast Schedule
The anime will launch with a special one-hour first episode. Here’s the broadcast schedule (all times JST):
- March 31, 9:30 PM: Tokyo MX
- April 2, 12:00 AM: BS Fuji (effectively April 2 at midnight)
- April 2, 2:30 AM: MBS channel (effectively April 2 at 1:30 AM)
Starting with the second episode, the broadcasting schedule will shift to its regular timeslot:
- April 8, 12:00 AM: Tokyo MX (effectively April 8 at midnight)
- April 9, 12:00 AM: MBS and BS Fuji (effectively April 9 at midnight)
The anime is confirmed to run for two consecutive cours (quarters of a year), indicating a significant commitment to adapting the source material. Information regarding digital distribution is expected to be revealed at a later date.
Production and Creative Team
Sword of the Demon Hunter is being produced by Yokohama Animation Lab. The key staff members include:
- Director: Kazuya Aiura
- Script Supervisor: Deko Akao
- Character Designer: Taro Ikegami
- Music Composers: Ryuichi Takada, Kuniyuki Takahashi, and Keiichiro Hirokawa
Cast
The anime boasts a talented cast bringing the characters to life:
- Jinta: Taku Yashiro
- Suzune: Reina Ueda
- Shirayuki: Saori Hayami
- Assimilation Demon: Hiroshi Shirokuma
- Clairvoyant Demon: Yui Kondo
Storyline: A Journey Through Time
Sword of the Demon Hunter is set in the Edo period and centers around Jinta and his sister, Suzune, who are forced to flee their home and seek refuge in a remote mountain village. Years later, Jinta has grown into a skilled swordsman, dedicated to protecting the priestess of the village shrine.
His life takes a dramatic turn when he confronts a demon threatening the shrine. The demon reveals a shocking truth: events 170 years in the future will require Jinta to confront the demon again. The story spans across 170 years, from the Edo period to the Heisei period, with the protagonists traveling through space and time. Jinta begins a quest that transcends time, battling demons and seeking the meaning behind his destiny as a demon hunter.
Ending Theme Song Revealed
The promotional video also unveils the ending theme song for the anime, titled “Sen-ya Ichi-ya feat. Izumi Nakasone (HY)” (One Thousand and One Nights). The song is performed by Hilcrhyme featuring Izumi Nakasone from the band HY.
Novel and Manga Availability
For English-speaking audiences, Seven Seas Entertainment is releasing both the original novel series and its manga adaptation.
Previous Delay
The anime was originally scheduled to premiere in June 2024 but was delayed due to production issues.
