Winter Anime “Yuusha no Kuzu”: Is “Hero” Truly a Profession of Murder? The Super-Sized Modern Supernatural Action Begins! Episode 1 Preview Images

Winter Anime “Yuu-sha no Kuzu” Unveils First Episode Details and Preview Screenshots

Get ready for the upcoming winter anime season as Yuu-sha no Kuzu (which can be translated as “The Scum of a Hero”) has dropped the synopsis and some thrilling preview screenshots for its very first episode. Titled “The Hero’s Encounter,” this episode is set to kick off the broadcast on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Winter Anime ‘Yuu-sha no Kuzu’ Main Visual

What’s “Yuu-sha no Kuzu” All About?

Yuu-sha no Kuzu is a modern supernatural battle series that pits bounty-hunting Heroes against mafia Devils. It’s based on the manga by Nakashima 723, with original story by Rocket Shoukai, serialized in Lied-sha’s “Comic Border.” Under the direction of Ushiro Shinji, the animation is handled by OLM (the studio behind “The Apothecary Diaries”), and it’s scheduled for two consecutive cours. The cast features some big names in the voice acting world.

Set in the mid-21st century, Tokyo’s underworld is ruled by mafia groups who have undergone Ether (magical power) enhancement surgeries to become Devils. The ones who take them down for bounty? Those are the Heroes. Heroes use a drug called E3 to boost their Ether abilities and fight these Devils. This lethal profession is legalized, essentially making them licensed killers.

Enter our protagonist, a freelance Hero known as Shinigami Yashiro. His life gets complicated when a high school girl and aspiring Hero, Jougamine Aki, barges in claiming to be his “disciple.” Reluctantly, Yashiro takes her under his wing, only to get dragged into a heap of trouble. And so begins the gritty, super-powered action saga of a scummy “master” and his self-proclaimed “apprentice.”

First Episode Sneak Peek: “The Hero’s Encounter”

Episode 1: “The Hero’s Encounter”

Winter Anime ‘Yuu-sha no Kuzu’ Episode 1 “The Hero’s Encounter” Preview Screenshot

Winter Anime ‘Yuu-sha no Kuzu’ Episode 1 “The Hero’s Encounter” Preview Screenshot

The freelance Hero Shinigami Yashiro steps in to save a high school Hero-in-training, Jougamine Aki, from some local punks.

Winter Anime ‘Yuu-sha no Kuzu’ Episode 1 “The Hero’s Encounter” Preview Screenshot

While Yashiro is having a drink at his usual bar, Jougamine shows up with her classmate, Indou Yukine.

Winter Anime ‘Yuu-sha no Kuzu’ Episode 1 “The Hero’s Encounter” Preview Screenshot

Jougamine pleads with Yashiro to help rescue her friend who has been taken by the Devil Kohaku no Ibara-kyou (Lord of the Amber Thorns).

Winter Anime ‘Yuu-sha no Kuzu’ Episode 1 “The Hero’s Encounter” Preview Screenshot

Yuu-sha no Kuzu Episode 1 “The Hero’s Encounter” will begin airing on Saturday, January 10 via the Nippon TV network across Japan.

Broadcast and Streaming Details

TV Broadcast: Nippon TV network, starting January 10 (Saturday), every Saturday at 24:55 (effectively Sunday early morning) for two consecutive cours. Note: Broadcast times may vary by region and are subject to change.

AT-X: Starts January 18 (Sunday) at 23:00, with repeats on Thursdays at 29:00 and Sundays at 8:00.

Streaming: Fastest streaming on d-Anime Store and Hulu from January 10 at 25:30 every Saturday. Other subscription services like ABEMA, niconico, U-NEXT, etc., will follow from January 15. Pay-per-view sites will also have it from January 15.

Meet the Cast and Crew

Voice Cast

Production Staff

Theme Songs

First Cour Opening Theme: “GUN POWDER” by TOOBOE

First Cour Ending Theme: “Mental Rental” by Murasaki Ima

(C) Nakashima 723 / Rocket Shoukai / Lied-sha • Yuu-sha no Kuzu Production Committee

_

Source