‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ heads to anime in 2026

The award-winning video game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is set for a new life on screen, with an anime adaptation titled Sekiro: No Defeat officially announced at Gamescom 2025. Produced by Kadokawa, Qzil.la, and ARCH, the series will stream globally on Crunchyroll in 2026.

First released in 2019 by FromSoftware, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice quickly became one of the studio’s most celebrated titles, selling more than 10 million copies and earning Game of the Year honours. Set in a war-torn vision of Sengoku-era Japan, the story follows a skilled shinobi known as Sekiro as he strives to protect Kuro, the last heir of a sacred bloodline, while confronting enemies like the formidable Genichiro.

The anime promises to retain the game’s intensity and visual richness through hand-drawn animation. A debut trailer showcases an atmospheric duel between Sekiro and Genichiro, highlighting the same precision and tension that defined the game.

Director Kenichi Kutsuna called the project an ambitious undertaking. “We want this to be a truly unforgettable experience, both for long-time players and for those stepping into Sekiro’s world for the first time,” he said.

Voice talent from the original game is returning for the series. Daisuke Namikawa will reprise his role as Sekiro, with Kenjiro Tsuda voicing Genichiro and Miyuki Satou as Kuro.

Asa Suehira, chief content officer at Crunchyroll, praised the adaptation: “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is known for its precision and intensity, and those qualities carry through beautifully in this anime. We’re proud to bring Sekiro: No Defeat to audiences around the world.”