The "One-Armed Wolf" sharpens his katana for his animated debut. During the recent Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (ANIAFF), representatives of the Qzil.la studio and the production committee confirmed that the anime SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, based on the acclaimed video game from FromSoftware, will be completed "soon".
The event was attended by key figures such as director Kenichi Kutsuna, screenwriter Takuya Sato and ARCH president Tetsushi Suzuki. Shun Fukudome, head of the studio, described the project as "impressive" and said it has a distinctive "edge." Although the format (TV series, movie or OVA) remains unconfirmed, it was ratified that the premiere is scheduled for 2026.
AI controversy denied
The production, a collaboration between Kadokawa, Crunchyroll, Qzil.la and ARCH, recently faced intense scrutiny. Due to Qzil.la's previous association with AI technologies and a drawing error in the trailer, rumors surfaced about the use of generative AI. However, the production committee was blunt in its statement: the anime is "entirely hand-drawn," dispelling doubts about the artistic integrity of the project.
The history of the Wolf
Adapting the best-selling Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the story will transport viewers to Sengoku era Japan (late 16th century), a brutal period of constant conflict. We will follow the protagonist, a disgraced and disfigured warrior, on his suicide mission to rescue his young lord and regain his honor against the dangerous Ashina clan.
