The ongoing television anime series, Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho, has revealed additional cast members and details regarding its new theme songs as it prepares to enter the “Bakumatsu” story arc. This new phase of the series is set to begin with its 14th episode on July 15, 2025.
Expanded Voice Cast Enhances Narrative Depth
Three new voice actors have joined the ensemble for the upcoming Bakumatsu arc, bringing fresh talent to key roles. Toshihiko Seki, known for his role as Mousse in Ranma 1/2, will portray Yasuhide Hatakeyama. Kenichiro Matsuda, recognized for his work as Batou in Ghost in the Shell: Arise, is cast as Tsuchiura. Finally, Kazuya Nakai, who voiced Ryuji Suguro in Blue Exorcist, will take on the role of Kiichi Okada. These additions are expected to enrich the unfolding narrative as the story progresses towards the Meiji era.
These new cast members join the previously announced voice cast, which includes Taku Yashiro as Jinta, Reina Ueda as Suzune, Saori Hayami as Shirayuki, Hiroshi Shirokuma as Doga no Oni, and Yui Kondo as Tomi no Kijo. Earlier announcements also revealed Kentaro Kumagai as Kiyomasa and Haruka Shamoto as Chitose.
New Theme Songs Set the Tone for the Bakumatsu Arc
The series will also feature new opening and ending theme songs to mark the commencement of the Bakumatsu arc, reflecting a shift to a more serious and tense mood. The new opening theme, titled “Ash,” will be performed by the band [Alexandros]. For the ending theme, the unit FAKE TYPE will perform the song “Enrin” (Round Bell).
Prior to this, the anime’s initial opening theme was “Continue” by NEE, and the ending theme was “Senya Ichiya” (One Thousand and One Nights) by Hilcrhyme featuring Izumi Nakasone (HY).
Anime Production and Story Background
Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho is animated by Yokohama Animation Lab, with Kazuya Aiura (known for Assassin’s Pride) directing the series. Deko Akao (Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp) is handling the series composition, and Taro Ikegami (Legend of Mana The Teardrop Crystal) is the character designer. The music is composed by Ryuichi Takada, Keiichi Hirokawa, and Kuniyuki Takahashi of MONACA.
The anime is based on the fantasy novel series written by Moto Nakanishi and illustrated by Tamaki, which was published by Futabasha. Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed both the novel series and its manga adaptation for English release.
The story is set in the Edo period and follows Jinta, an orphan who, along with his younger sister Suzune, finds refuge in a mountain village. Jinta grows up to become a skilled swordsman and the guardian of a shrine maiden named Itsukihime. His journey begins when he confronts a mysterious demon in the forest that speaks of the distant future and the threat of a Demon God, leading him on an epic supernatural historical fantasy spanning centuries, from the Edo to Heisei periods, as he grapples with the implications of wielding a demon-hunter’s sword.
The series first premiered in Japan with a one-hour special on March 31, 2025, and has been streaming on HIDIVE since March 31, 2025. It is scheduled to run for two consecutive cours.
