Get Ready for More Gourd-Sipping Action: A 'Sekiro' Anime Is Almost Certainly Happening

In what might not be the most surprising but definitely the most welcome news of the day, it looks like an anime adaptation of FromSoftware’s brutal masterpiece, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, is finally happening. First spotted by the ever-vigilant Wario64, a web domain for a Sekiro anime has been officially registered by Kadokawa, the Japanese media behemoth. While not a formal announcement, in this industry, a move like this is the closest thing you get to a smoking gun.

The Smoking Gun

For those not versed in the dark arts of leak-watching, a major corporation registering a specific web domain for a project is one of the last and most concrete steps before an official reveal. It means money is being spent and plans are in motion. The registrant, Kadokawa, is a massive publisher and producer in the anime and manga space, so their involvement all but guarantees this is a serious, high-profile project.

It’s important to note that Kadokawa is a producer, not an animation studio itself, though they do own several. This means they’re the ones footing the bill and managing the project, but another studio will be tasked with the actual, painstaking work of animating Wolf’s Shinobi justice. And that, of course, is where the real speculation begins.

So, Who's Going to Animate This Thing?

The world of Sekiro is defined by its lightning-fast, hyper-lethal combat. The clang of perfectly deflected blades, the visceral gore of a deathblow, and the fluid grace of the Wolf’s movement are all essential to its identity. Getting that right in animated form is going to be a monumental task, and only a handful of studios are truly up to the challenge.

The Whispers and the Rumors

There have been whispers for a while that a Sekiro project was in the works, with some previous leaks pointing toward a studio called Qzil.la. While not a household name, they’ve done some impressive work, including one of the much-lauded ending animations for Chainsaw Man. They’re a talented contender, but the question remains if they have the experience to carry a full-length series built on such demanding action.

The Dream, and the Reality

The dream pick for many, of course, is Ufotable. The studio behind the visual spectacle that is Demon Slayer has proven time and again that they are the undisputed masters of fluid, dynamic, and breathtakingly beautiful action sequences. They would be the perfect fit to capture the intensity of a duel with Genichiro or the Guardian Ape. But we should probably pour some water on that particular dream. Ufotable’s plate is already overflowing with massive projects, including multiple Demon Slayer movies and the long-awaited Genshin Impact anime. It’s highly unlikely they have the bandwidth to take on another huge project right now.

With a domain name now secured, an official announcement is likely just around the corner. We finally have confirmation that a Sekiro anime is moving from wishful thinking to reality. Now all we can do is wait and hope that Kadokawa puts this incredible IP in the hands of a studio that can do it justice. The potential is immense, but as any Shinobi knows, hesitation is defeat. Let's hope they don't fumble it.