The upcoming television anime adaptation of Rocket Shokai and Nakashima723’s “Scum of the Brave” (Yūsha no Kuzu) manga is officially set to premiere in January 2026. This announcement, alongside the revelation of the core production staff, was made in a new teaser video released on Saturday via the anime’s official website.
The fantasy series, which centers on a world where “Braves” hunt “Demon Kings,” will be animated by OLM, a studio known for its work on “The Apothecary Diaries” and the “Pokémon” franchise.
Key Production Staff Revealed for “Scum of the Brave”
The newly released video and official website detailed the main creative team bringing “Scum of the Brave” to the screen. Leading the project as director is Shinji Ushiro, whose previous works include “DON’T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO 2nd Attack.”
The series composition and script supervision will be handled by Yoichi Kato, recognized for his contributions to the “Duel Masters” franchise. Character designs for the anime will be by Rika Murakami, known for her work on “Zoids Wild.” Complementing the visual and narrative elements, the music for “Scum of the Brave” will be composed by Kenichiro Suehiro, whose diverse portfolio includes “Fire Force.”
Additional Staff Members
Further supporting the core team, several other key staff members have been announced:
- Color Design: Naoto Kondō
- Art Director: Kazuhiro Inoue
- Director of Photography: Tsunetaka Ema
- Editing: Naoki Watanabe
- Sound Director: Takahiro Enomoto
Anime to Air on NTV and Affiliates
The “Scum of the Brave” anime is slated to broadcast in Japan on Nippon Television (NTV) and its affiliated networks. The series joins a lineup of anticipated anime releases for January 2026.
The Story of “Scum of the Brave”
The narrative of “Scum of the Brave” is set in an alternate 21st century Tokyo where wealthy mafia members can transform into “Demon Kings” through ether-enhancement surgery. These powerful individuals are then targeted by bounty hunters known as “Braves,” who use a specialized drug called E3 to enhance their own ether abilities and combat the Demon Kings.
The story focuses on Yashiro, a freelance “Hero” (also known as the “Grim Reaper”), who primarily seeks simple pleasures like pizza, beer, and card games. His mundane life takes an unexpected turn when he agrees to tutor three young Braves for a significant sum of money, reluctantly taking on a high school girl named Shirogamine as his self-proclaimed apprentice. This arrangement plunges him into a series of chaotic events, exploring the morally ambiguous profession where legalized killing is part of a Hero’s daily work.
Origins of the Series
“Scum of the Brave” originated as a web novel written by Rocket Shokai, which began serialization on Kadokawa’s Kakuyomu platform in February 2016. It was later published in light novel format with illustrations by Yuya Kusaka, and a revised edition is underway with illustrations by toi8. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Nakashima723, launched in 2018 and is serialized on LEED Publishing’s Comic Border service, with its seventh volume shipping in March. Manga Planet is publishing the manga digitally in English.
