Fans of acclaimed manga artist Hiromu Arakawa, best known for her globally celebrated work Fullmetal Alchemist, can rejoice as her latest series, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, is officially receiving an anime adaptation. The news was confirmed during Crunchyroll’s industry panel at Anime Expo 2025, unveiling a trailer and visual for the upcoming animated series. This highly anticipated adaptation will bring Arakawa’s distinct storytelling and intricate world-building to the screen, promising another compelling supernatural adventure from the prolific mangaka.
The Creative Force Behind the Adaptation
The anime adaptation of Daemons of the Shadow Realm, known in Japan as Yomi no Tsugai, is being produced by Bones Film, a studio well-regarded for its high-quality animation and previous work on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, My Hero Academia, and Eureka Seven. This collaboration marks a significant reunion, bringing a “dream team” to animate Arakawa’s latest creation.
Leading the production is director Masahiro Andō, renowned for his work on Sword of the Stranger. Overseeing the series scripts is Noboru Takagi, known for his contributions to popular anime like Kingdom seasons 3-6 and the first four seasons of Golden Kamuy. Character designs will be handled by Nobuhiro Arai, recognized for his work on Bungo Stray Dogs. The musical score will be composed by Kenichiro Suehiro, who has also contributed to the Golden Kamuy and Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- franchises. Crunchyroll has announced that it will stream the anime, making it accessible to a wide international audience across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian Subcontinent.
A Glimpse into the Shadow Realm: The Story of Yuru no Tsugai
Daemons of the Shadow Realm plunges readers into a world where certain individuals possess the power to control supernatural entities known as Daemons. The narrative centers on twins, Yuru and Asa, who are prophesied as “the children who sunder day and night” and are destined to command these powerful beings.
The story begins in a secluded mountain village, protected by two ancient stone guardians. Here, Yuru lives a contented life, relying on the land for sustenance and cherishing his bond with his twin sister, Asa. However, Asa is confined to a cage, carrying out a mysterious “duty” for the village. The underlying mysteries surrounding Asa’s imprisonment and the hidden secrets of their seemingly idyllic home form the core of the plot. Separated at a young age and unaware of the full truth of their birthright, the siblings must embark on a journey to reunite, claim their inherent power, and ultimately strive to save the world from impending destruction. The series is described as an “otherworldly fantasy where mystery and the uncanny intertwine”.
Manga’s Journey to the Screen
Hiromu Arakawa launched Daemons of the Shadow Realm (original Japanese title: Yomi no Tsugai) in Square Enix’s Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine in December 2021. This marked her return to the magazine where her iconic Fullmetal Alchemist was serialized from 2001 to 2010. Square Enix Manga & Books is responsible for releasing the manga in English.
The series quickly gained traction, with Square Enix publishing its ninth compiled book volume on March 12, 2025, and the tenth volume slated for release on July 11, 2025. Even prior to its anime announcement, the manga has achieved significant milestones, including surpassing 3.5 million copies in worldwide sales. It has garnered critical acclaim, ranking second in the 2023 Next Manga Award in the print manga category and winning the seventh Tsutaya Comic Award’s grand prize in 2023. Furthermore, 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. The series’ success and Arakawa’s established reputation made an anime adaptation a highly anticipated development among fans.
