Crunchyroll has officially announced it will stream the upcoming “Shabake” anime as part of its Fall 2025 anime season lineup. The historical fantasy series is set to premiere on October 3, 2025, bringing the popular novel series to a global audience.
Global Availability and Premiere Date
The “Shabake” anime will begin streaming on Crunchyroll starting October 3, 2025. Viewers in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian subcontinent will be able to access the series. The announcement follows a series highlight during Aniplex Online Fest 2025. In Japan, the anime will debut on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block on October 3 at 11:30 p.m. JST, with an exclusive stream on Prime Video Japan starting October 4.
Unraveling the World of “Shabake”
“Shabake” is a historical fantasy series based on the popular novels by Megumi Hatakenaka. The story is set in Japan during the Edo period and centers on Ichitaro, the young master of Nagasakiya, a prominent commercial store in Nihonbashi.
Ichitaro’s Unique Abilities and Companions
Ichitaro was born with a delicate constitution, limiting his ability to venture outside. Despite his physical weakness, he possesses a unique gift: he is surrounded by and beloved by various spirit companions, including a Hakutaku and an Inugami, who protect him. These spiritual allies play a crucial role in his adventures.
A String of Bizarre Murders
The plot thickens when Ichitaro, defying his usual confines, sneaks out one night and witnesses a murder. This initial crime marks the beginning of a series of bizarre and inexplicable murder cases that plague Edo. With the help of his loyal spirit companions, Ichitaro embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and find the culprit behind these mysterious incidents.
Production and Creative Team
The “Shabake” TV anime is produced by animation studio BN Pictures. The creative team bringing the historical fantasy to life includes:
- Director: Takahiro Okawa
- Series Composition: Toko Machida
- Character Designs: Akari Minagawa
- Music: Rei Ishizuka
The original “Shabake” novels are published by Shinchosha.
Voice Cast Highlights
The anime features a talented voice cast, with Daiki Yamashita taking on the role of the protagonist, Ichitaro. Other announced cast members include Koji Okino as Nikichi and Taku Yashiro as Sasuke. Daisuke Namikawa voices Nozoki Byobu, Seiichiro Yamashita is Matsunosuke, and Shinba Tsuchiya plays Eikichi. Shion Wakayama is Oharu, Akira Sekine voices Princess Suzuhiko, and Shinya Takahashi plays Noderabo. Misako Tomioka is Kawauso, while Akane Matsunaga, Aika Wakuno, and Takako Tanaka voice Yanari.
Background of the “Shabake” Series
The “Shabake” historical fantasy novel series by Megumi Hatakenaka has been a long-standing success, with its first volume published in December 2001. The franchise has expanded significantly over the years, inspiring manga adaptations, radio dramas, plays, musicals, and even a 3-minute original net animation (ONA) in 2021 to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The upcoming TV anime adaptation represents the latest expansion of this beloved series.
