The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Palette’s 9-nine- visual novel series, 9-nine- Ruler’s Crown, is set to premiere on July 5, 2025. A second promotional video has been released, offering a sneak peek at the opening song and further building excitement for the series. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know.
What is 9-nine-?
9-nine- is originally a Japanese adult visual novel series developed and published by Palette. The story is set in Shiromitsugawa, a seemingly ordinary college town that becomes the center of supernatural events. The town is host to mysterious Artifacts that grant superpowers to their users. The narrative follows Kakeru Niimi, a young man whose life is thrown into chaos after a sacred relic at the local shrine is shattered. This event leads to the emergence of individuals with superhuman abilities, and Kakeru finds himself embroiled in a quest to track down a superpowered serial killer.
The visual novel series consists of four episodes, each focusing on a different heroine and unraveling more about the supernatural influences in Shiromitsugawa. Sekai Project has released all four episodes on Steam with English support, making the series accessible to a global audience.
Anime Adaptation Details
The anime adaptation, titled 9-nine- Ruler’s Crown, is produced by PRA and directed by Koichi Ohata. Kōsuke Koremizu is handling series composition, Saori Sakiguchi is designing the characters, and Yamazo is composing the music. The series is set to premiere in July 2025, bringing the supernatural mystery to the small screen.
Premiere Date and Time
9-nine- Ruler’s Crown will begin airing on July 5, 2025, at 22:00 JST. The first two episodes will be broadcast consecutively, offering viewers a double dose of the supernatural mystery.
Promotional Video and Opening Theme
The second promotional video offers a glimpse into the anime’s world and characters and unveils the opening theme song. While the title of the opening song isn’t explicitly mentioned in the available information, the promotional video provides a preview of the track. The ending theme song is confirmed to be “Pale Blaze,” performed by Chihiro Yonekura, who also sang the opening and ending themes for the original game series.
Storyline
The anime adaptation will follow the storyline of the visual novel, focusing on Kakeru Niimi and the heroines as they navigate the supernatural events in Shiromitsugawa. After the shattering of the shrine’s sacred relic, Kakeru’s ordinary life is disrupted, and he becomes involved in tracking down a superpowered serial killer. Each episode will delve deeper into the mysteries of the Artifacts and the powers they bestow, as well as the relationships between the characters.
Cast
The anime features a returning cast from the visual novel’s all-ages version, ensuring continuity for fans of the series. The cast includes:
- Atsushi Abe as Kakeru Niimi
- Misato Fukuen as Miyako Kujō
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Sora Niimi
- Yuri Yamaoka as Haruka Kosaka
- Akane Fujita as NOA Yūki
- Kazutomi Yamamoto as Yoichi Fukazawa
- Tomokazu Sugita as Renya Takamine
- Hana Takeda as Satsuki Naruse
- Satomi Arai as Sophitia
Staff
The staff includes:
- Director: Kōichi Ōhata
- Character Design: Saori Sakiguchi
- Series Composition: Kōsuke Kuremizu
- Music: Yamazo
- Animation Production: PRA
Additional Information
Advanced Screening
An advanced screening of the first two episodes took place on June 15, 2025, at the Parthenon Tama in Tokyo.
Spinoff Game
A new 9-nine- spinoff adventure game is scheduled to launch on PC (Windows 10/11 compatible) in winter 2025. Aoi Yūki will voice the new heroine in the game.
Manga Adaptation
A manga adaptation of 9-nine- by Izumi Kawachi has been serialized online via Futabasha’s Gaugau Monster website since October 2021.
Theme Songs
- Ending Theme: “Pale Blaze” by Chihiro Yonekura
Where to Watch
Details on where to legally stream the anime will likely be announced closer to the premiere date. Keep an eye on Crunchyroll and other anime streaming platforms for updates.
Reception
The 9-nine- anime adaptation has garnered significant attention from fans of the visual novel series. The release of the promotional videos and key visuals has further increased anticipation for the anime’s premiere.
Final Thoughts
With its intriguing storyline, returning cast, and talented staff, 9-nine- Ruler’s Crown promises to be a captivating anime series. Fans of the visual novel and newcomers alike can look forward to immersing themselves in the supernatural mysteries of Shiromitsugawa when the anime premieres on July 5, 2025.
