Starting in April, Crunchyroll will start streaming Daemons of the Shadow Realm. The series is based on a dark fantasy manga by Hiromu Arakawa. It blends supernatural mystery, action, and intricate world-building into a gripping modern tale. The popular series began in late 2021, and last year at Anime Expo Crunchyroll announced they were developing an anime series based on it. If the first episode is any indication, the series is sure to be a hit, while keeping new viewers entertained and loyal readers of the manga satisfied at the same time.

This takes place between a remote mountain village and a rapidly changing outside world, the story follows twin siblings, Yuru and Asa. Their lives have binds to powerful entities known as Daemons—beings from a secret realm that some can control through ancient contracts. The twins were separated at a young age however, and are unaware of their birthright. When things start to change and questions start to be raised, the twins find themselves fighting to reunite and face their destiny together.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm starts off with a bang, with high action and an intriguing story line right from the get go. If you haven’t read the manga, it will be a little confusing at first though. After all, the story is a little disjointed, and jumps from the past to the present pretty quickly. Viewers won’t feel lost for very long though, and as explanations start to be given viewers get a clear sense of where things are headed.

The art of the anime is top notch (created by the same team responsible for Fullmetal Alchemist), and while it is a little gory, viewers need to keep in mind that it is an adult audience the story is meant for.  The adult nature of the story is also displayed in the characters themselves. Yuru and Asa are both layered and complex. They ask the same questions viewers will ask as well, meaning they will go on the journey with them.

Because of its strong pedigree and rising popularity of the manga, Daemons of the Shadow Realm has high expectations behind it. Thankfully it doesn’t fail. While first time visitors to Yuru and Asa’s world will love the series, fans of the manga won’t be disappointed either.  This of course is thanks to the anime closely following the manga’s blend of action, mystery, and character-driven storytelling while introducing the world of Daemons through dynamic animation and dramatic battles. Daemons of the Shadow Realm is one of the best new anime series to keep an eye on in 2026, and one that shouldn’t be missed.