The anime film SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, based on FromSoftware’s acclaimed game SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, is set to hit theaters nationwide for a limited three-week run starting September 4, 2026. New scene cuts showcasing the film’s hand-painted background art have been unveiled, along with character details for Ochi no Miko.
About the Film
Set during the Warring States period, the story follows a shinobi known as Wolf, who serves a young lord named Kuro. Kuro is the last descendant of a clan with the “Dragon Heritage” blood, which grants immortality. As they flee from the Ashina samurai who seek that power, they learn that the Dragon Heritage brings a deadly disease called Dragon Cough. Kuro decides to sever the Dragon Heritage, even at the cost of his own life, while Wolf embarks on a perilous battle to change his master’s fate.
The film is a full hand-drawn 2D animation, directed by Kutsuna Kenichi, marking his feature-length debut. Production is handled by Qzil.la, with KADOKAWA and ARCH producing.
Background Art
One of the film’s major highlights is its background art, created by art director Kaneko Yuuji of the studio Aojashin. Known for his work on Kill la Kill, Ranking of Kings, Patema Inverted, and Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island, Kaneko painted each background on paper using analog brush techniques. He commented, “I focused on making the most of a ‘cinematic black’ for this film’s art.”
The newly revealed scene cuts depict the majestic Ashina Castle towering over snowy mountains, with delicate details like the texture of roof tiles and the dampness of frozen air. Other cuts show Wolf and Kuro standing in a field of swaying pampas grass, and a tense confrontation between Wolf and Genichiro in the castle’s great hall. The soft light of lanterns illuminates the quiet bond between master and servant in a tatami room scene.
Ochi no Miko
On August 18, which is “Rice Day” in Japan, the character information for Ochi no Miko (voiced by Shimizu Risa) was revealed. Ochi no Miko possesses the power to create rice and holds an important key to the story. A new visual shows her holding rice in both hands, enveloped in a soft white light. Scene cuts also capture her strong gaze and a wistful expression.
Additionally, an official X (formerly Twitter) campaign is distributing rice to fans, so be sure to check it out.
Staff and Cast
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Work | SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE (FromSoftware) |
| Director | Kutsuna Kenichi |
| Screenplay | Sato Takuya |
| Character Design | Kishida Takahiro |
| Sub-Director | Fukui Shunsuke |
| Chief Animation Director | Mogami Kaito |
| Action Animation Director | Mukai Takashi |
| Art Director | Kaneko Yuuji |
| Color Design | Sasaki Azusa |
| Cinematography | Nozawa Keisuke |
| Editing | Murakami Yoshinori |
| Liquid Art | Harata Atsushi |
| Color Grading | Fukumoto Tatsuya |
| Music | Hasunuma Shuta |
| Theme Song | Ryuichi Sakamoto “Blu” (from ‘The Best of Playing the Orchestra 2014’) |
| Sound Director | Nagura Yasushi |
| Sound Effects | Kawata Kiyotaka |
| Pre/Post Production | Studio Beta |
| Produce | ARCH |
| Animation Production | Qzil.la |
| Distribution | ANIMEC |
Cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Wolf | Namikawa Daisuke |
| Kuro | Sato Miyuki |
| Ashina Genichiro | Tsuda Kenjiro |
| Buddha Sculptor | Urayama Jin |
| Emma | Ito Shizuka |
| Hanbei | Takase Hiromitsu |
| Owl | Hashi Takaya |
| Ashina Isshin | Kanao Tetsuo |
| Ochi no Miko | Shimizu Risa |
Art Director Comment
Kaneko Yuuji on the background art: “Analog paints don’t have a ‘black’ color. With digital tools, you can express pure black with #000, but with paints, you mix various colors to make something that looks black. Additionally, there are color changes when projected on a screen. In that sense, I focused on making the most of a ‘cinematic black’ for this film’s art. Also, at the director’s request, I deliberately left brush strokes and the texture of the paint to give it a sense of presence.”
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