SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Anime Trailer Brings Video Game to Life

During Opening Night Live at Gamescom 2025, Kadokawa, Crunchyroll, Qzil.la, and ARCH officially unveiled Sekiro: No Defeat. The anime will recreate “with reverence” the story of the game, which pits a once-defeated swordsman against some of the toughest foes in Sengoku Japan.

“We are taking on the monumental task of animating the breathtakingly beautiful Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In doing so, we are pouring every ounce of our artistic vision and passion for beauty into its production,” said Kenichi Kutsuna, director of the adaptation. “The final product is being crafted to be a truly memorable experience, one that will leave a lasting impression on both dedicated fans of the game and those who are discovering the world of Sekiro for the very first time. Please look forward to it.”

The trailer has a definite rustic look. Perfect for the story of Wolf, a retainer for a mystical young lord. The official plot synopsis is below:

Japan is fractured into many independent nations entangled in ceaseless war. At the center lies Ashina, a land of sacred earth and ancient mystery. Two decades after Sword Saint Isshin Ashina reclaimed the region in a brutal coup, a new threat emerges from within: The Interior Ministry. Desperate to protect his homeland, Isshin’s grandson Genichiro turns to forbidden powers. The only hope lies in a kidnapped boy — the Divine Heir — and his silent protector: a loyal shinobi known only as Sekiro.

I really can’t wait to see some of the most iconic duels in the game—specifically Genichiro and Owl Father—brought to life in animation. It’s going to be, as the kids say, the business.

Sekiro: No Defeat will premiere on Crunchyroll in 2026.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.