The ongoing supernatural historical fantasy anime, Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho, is preparing to dive into its highly anticipated Meiji Arc with the upcoming Episode 22, bringing with it a fresh wave of talent to the voice cast. While fans eagerly await these new developments, the series’ broadcast journey has seen its share of adjustments, notably an earlier, significant production delay that shifted its premiere.
New Voice Actors Join the Meiji Arc
As Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho transitions into the Meiji Arc starting with episode 22, two prominent voice actors have been announced to take on key roles. Yumiri Hanamori will lend her voice to the character of Kaneomi, while Toshiki Kumagai is set to voice Utsugi Heikichi. This expansion of the cast is expected to enrich the narrative as the story progresses into a new historical period.
The Meiji Arc is slated to begin with the anime’s 22nd episode, which is scheduled to air on September 9, 2025. This marks a significant shift in the storyline, moving Jinta, the protagonist, from Edo to Kyoto, where he operates a soba shop and encounters new challenges as demons begin to resurface in the city.
Previous Cast Additions for Earlier Arcs
Prior to the Meiji Arc’s announcements, the Sword of the Demon Hunter anime had also introduced additional cast members for its Edo Arc. These included Saya Aizawa as Natsu, Hiromu Mineta as Zenji, Masaki Aizawa as Juzo, and Youji Ueda as the Kihei Restaurant Owner. These earlier additions helped populate the vibrant world of the series as it began its run.
Initial Production Delays and Broadcast Schedule
The Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho anime faced an initial significant delay in its production schedule. Originally planned for a June 2024 debut, the series’ broadcast was postponed due to production issues, eventually premiering on March 31, 2025. The production committee cited these “production delays” as the reason for the extensive postponement, apologizing to fans for the wait.
The anime ultimately launched with a one-hour special for its first episode and is slated for a continuous two-cour run throughout 2025. This extended broadcast ensures that viewers will receive a comprehensive adaptation of Motoo Nakanishi’s original novel series. The series streams internationally on HIDIVE.
Anime Production and Story Overview
Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho is animated by Yokohama Animation Laboratory, with Kazuya Aiura directing the series. Deko Akao is in charge of series composition, and Taro Ikegami handles the character designs. The music is composed by Ryuuichi Takada, Keiichi Hirokawa, and Kuniyuki Takahashi from MONACA.
The story, based on Motoo Nakanishi’s light novel series, follows Jinta, a young man who serves as the guardian of a shrine maiden in the mountain village of Kadono during the Edo period. After encountering a mysterious demon who foretells a distant future, Jinta embarks on a centuries-spanning journey as a demon hunter, traversing different eras from Edo to Heisei, all while grappling with the implications of his path. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes both the original novel series and its manga adaptation in English.
