In a world where legendary heroes rise to vanquish formidable foes, what happens when the lines between monstrous evil and unexpected guardianship blur? Imagine a Demon King, feared across the land, not only sparing the last vestige of a fallen kingdom—an infant—but taking it under his wing, compelling a resurrected hero to aid in this improbable act of fatherhood. This is the intriguing premise that sets the stage for Clevatess: Majū no Ō to Akago to Shikabane no Yūsha, an anime series that promises to redefine the dark fantasy genre.
The Genesis of Clevatess: From Manga to Anime Sensation
The captivating narrative of Clevatess originates from the acclaimed Japanese manga series, Clevatess: Majū no Ō to Akago to Shikabane no Yūsha, penned and illustrated by the talented Yūji Iwahara. The manga first began its serialization on Line Digital Frontier’s Line Manga service in August 2020, steadily garnering a dedicated fanbase with its distinctive dark fantasy elements and compelling character dynamics. Its growing popularity paved the way for an anime adaptation, marking its highly anticipated debut in the Summer 2025 anime season. Produced by Studio Lay-duce, known for their work on Yuru Yuri, the anime adaptation aimed to bring Iwahara’s unique vision to life on screen.
The Manga’s Acclaimed Narrative and Themes
Yūji Iwahara, a manga artist lauded in Europe for his distinctive style, characterized by bold ink art and layered painting techniques, created a world both grim and endearing in Clevatess. The series plunges into the continent of Edthea, a land isolated by four formidable Dark Beasts. The central conflict arises when the Demon King Clevatess, after brutally retaliating against an attack from thirteen heroes, takes a surprising turn. Instead of complete annihilation, he adopts a humanoid baby belonging to the royal family and resurrects one of the slain heroes, Alicia, to serve as an undead guardian. This unconventional setup explores themes of nature versus nurture, redemption, and the unforeseen paths to understanding humanity. The story masterfully blends elements of superhero narratives, kaiju battles, and even grounded slice-of-life moments centered around babysitting, creating a multi-genre experience.
The Grand Premiere: Date, Time, and Global Accessibility
The highly anticipated season premiere of Clevatess officially launched in Japan on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 8:30 PM JST. For a global audience, this translates to earlier access on the same day due to time zone differences. For instance, viewers in Pacific Daylight Time could access the premiere at 4:30 AM, Central Daylight Time at 6:30 AM, and Eastern Daylight Time at 7:30 AM. Greenwich Mean Time saw the premiere at 11:30 AM, while Central European Summer Time could tune in at 1:30 PM. In Asia, Indian Standard Time viewers watched at 5:00 PM, and Philippines Standard Time at 7:30 PM.
Where to Watch Clevatess Episode 1
For international viewers, Clevatess is readily available for streaming on Crunchyroll, which offers the series worldwide. In various Asian regions, Medialink’s Ani-One Asia YouTube channel also streams the series. Within Japan, the premiere aired across an impressive 27 television networks, with AT-X leading the broadcast at 8:30 PM JST, followed by TOKYO MX and other stations. Digital platforms like D Anime Store, U-NEXT, and Anime Hōdai provided the fastest streaming access in Japan, starting July 2 at 10:00 PM JST. Other popular platforms such as ABEMA, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video began offering the series from July 7.
The Premiere Episode: “The King of Beasts” and Its Impact
The inaugural episode of Clevatess, titled “The King of Beasts,” was a substantial offering, running for an extended duration of 45 minutes, with some reports even indicating an hour-long length. This extended runtime allowed for a comprehensive introduction to the series’ unique world and characters.
A Shocking and Immersive Introduction
The premiere was lauded for its ability to captivate audiences from the outset with compelling characters, intricate plot points, and amazing action sequences. It effectively establishes the brutal power of the Demon King Clevatess, showcasing his merciless rampage and the swift, gruesome defeat of the heroes who dared to challenge him. This initial display of ferocity sets a traditional dark fantasy expectation, only for the narrative to brilliantly subvert it within minutes when Clevatess takes on the responsibility of raising an orphaned baby. The episode’s pacing was praised for its seamless transitions between intense action and moments of thoughtful development, building dramatic tension and allowing viewers to process the unfolding events.
Key Characters Introduced in the Premiere
The premiere episode introduces the core trio who will anchor the series’ unique premise:
- Clevatess (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura, with Mutsumi Tamura as Clen): The titular Demon King, a formidable Lord of Dark Beasts who, despite his destructive power and initial hatred for humanity, finds himself thrust into an unexpected role of parenthood. His decision to raise the baby, Luna, is framed as an “experiment” to understand humanity more closely.
- Alicia (voiced by Haruka Shiraishi): A determined young woman who dreamed of becoming a hero, she is one of the thirteen heroes chosen by the king. After being killed by Clevatess, she is resurrected as an undead warrior, bound by his dark magic to assist him in caring for the baby. This forced alliance creates a compelling dynamic as she grapples with her new reality.
- Luna (voiced by Saya Aizawa): The humanoid baby entrusted to Clevatess, who becomes the unlikely hope for a dying world. Her presence fundamentally alters Clevatess’s path and serves as a focal point for the series’ exploration of humanity and compassion.
What to Expect Beyond the Premiere
Clevatess is slated for a 12-episode season, airing weekly every Wednesday. Each episode is approximately 23 minutes long, following the extended length of the premiere. The series offers both native Japanese audio with subtitles and dubbing options in French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese on Crunchyroll, catering to a broad international audience.
The anime has already garnered significant attention for its distinctive plot and immersive storytelling, with critics noting its potential to become a standout in the Summer 2025 anime season. The series’ willingness to take narrative risks and swerve away from expected tropes, combined with its strong world-building and intriguing character contrasts, positions Clevatess as a compelling watch for fans of dark fantasy. As the season progresses, viewers can anticipate further exploration of Clevatess’s journey into fatherhood, Alicia’s reluctant partnership, and the unfolding mysteries of their world.
