SekiroExplainer
Sekiro: No Defeat release date: the anime streams on Crunchyroll in January 2027
Sekiro: No Defeat, the anime based on FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, premieres as an eight-episode series in January 2027, and Crunchyroll will stream it outside Japan. A shorter film version opened in Japanese theaters on Sept. 4, 2026, for a planned three weeks, and stayed longer because of demand. There's no exact premiere day yet, and no US theatrical release has been announced.
Sekiro’s first new story since 2019 is an anime, not a game. Here’s when Sekiro: No Defeat comes out, where to watch it and how the film and the series differ.
When does Sekiro: No Defeat come out?
The Sekiro: No Defeat series premieres in January 2027. The anime’s team announced the eight-episode series on Sept. 25, 2026, Japan time, and Crunchyroll said the same day it will stream it worldwide, except in Japan, China, Korea, Russia and Belarus. No exact premiere day has been announced, and episodes will come out weekly.
A film version opened in Japanese theaters on Sept. 4, 2026, as a three-week limited run. Because of demand, some theaters kept it longer, and more screenings started on Oct. 2, 2026. There’s no announced theatrical release in the US.
Movie or series?
The project started as an eight-episode TV series. While making it, the producers decided they wanted audiences to see it on a big screen first, so they released an edited film version ahead of the series. The series follows the same story but adds new episodes and many new scenes that aren’t in the film, so it’s worth watching even if you’ve seen the movie.
The story and the cast
Sekiro: No Defeat retells the game’s story. In the Sengoku period, in the snowbound land of Ashina, the shinobi Wolf serves Kuro, a boy whose Dragon’s Heritage blood can make people immortal. Ashina’s samurai hunt Kuro for that power, and when Kuro learns that the immortality brings a deadly sickness, Kuro decides to end the Dragon’s Heritage, while Wolf sets out alone to change Kuro’s fate.
Daisuke Namikawa returns from the game as the Japanese voice of Wolf. Miyuki Sato voices Kuro, and Kenjiro Tsuda plays Genichiro Ashina. Crunchyroll hasn’t said whether there will be an English dub.
Who made it
The anime is fully hand-drawn 2D animation from studio Qzil.la, produced by Kadokawa and ARCH. Kenichi Kutsuna directs, in a first feature as director, with a script by Takuya Sato, character designs by Takahiro Kishida and music by Shuta Hasunuma. The theme is Blu, a piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
The game it’s based on, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, came out on March 22, 2019, and FromSoftware hasn’t announced a sequel; see our Sekiro 2 release date page. FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is getting a live-action film from A24; see our Elden Ring movie release date page.
This page is updated as soon as Crunchyroll announces the exact premiere day of Sekiro: No Defeat or an English dub.
FAQ
When does Sekiro: No Defeat come out in the US?
The series comes to Crunchyroll in January 2027. Crunchyroll hasn’t announced an exact day, and no US theatrical release of the film has been announced.
Is Sekiro: No Defeat a movie or a show?
Both. The project began as an eight-episode TV series, and its makers released an edited film version in Japanese theaters first, on Sept. 4, 2026. The series adds scenes and episodes that aren’t in the film.
How many episodes does Sekiro: No Defeat have?
Eight. The anime’s team says new episodes will come out weekly.
Where can I watch Sekiro: No Defeat?
On Crunchyroll from January 2027, worldwide except Japan, China, Korea, Russia and Belarus.
When is Sekiro: No Defeat episode 1?
In January 2027. The exact day hasn’t been announced yet.
Does Sekiro: No Defeat follow the game?
Yes. It tells the story of Wolf and Kuro from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Daisuke Namikawa returns from the game as the Japanese voice of Wolf.
Will Sekiro: No Defeat have an English dub?
Crunchyroll hasn’t said yet.
Pop quiz
1 questions from this story.
What is the name of the young lord Wolf protects in Sekiro?
Wolf serves Kuro, the boy with the Dragon’s Heritage. Genichiro and Isshin Ashina are the grandson and the lord of Ashina.
Your call
How will you watch Sekiro: No Defeat?
