Anime Expo: Crunchyroll Announces the Return of ‘Black Clover,’ ‘Daemons of the Shadow Realm’ Series & More

Crunchyroll held its annual Industry Panel at Anime Expo 2025 on Saturday, July 5, in the Los Angeles Convention Center. The showcase highlighted various series acquisitions coming to the streaming service, featuring some exclusive early looks at anticipated titles along with official production confirmations revealed for the first time.

Black Clover will be making its return for a brand-new season exclusively on Crunchyroll. Studio Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul) will reprise its role in producing the series. Fans eager for more episodes since the series last aired in 2021 were shown a teaser trailer and key visual. The creator Yuki Tabata also shared a message celebrating the 10th anniversary of the original manga.

“The long-awaited new season of Black Clover has been confirmed!” Tabata expressed. “I’m really thrilled to enter this new anime season after the super-passionate movie that was released! Thanks to all of you, Black Clover is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! I plan to keep this excitement going! I want fans in Japan and around the world to enjoy the epic anime that will be produced by a fantastic production team! Thank you for supporting Black Clover!”

Masahiko Minami, President of the prestigious animation studio bones film, known for their work on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, My Hero Academia and Eureka Seven, took to the stage to officially announce the adaptation of Daemons of the Shadow Realm into an anime produced by the studio.

Based on the manga of the same name by Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist), the anime will be directed by Masahiro Ando (Sword of the Stranger), as revealed in the new teaser trailer presented during the panel. The series was characterized as “an otherworldly fantasy where mystery and the uncanny intertwine.”

Appearing on stage was Yusuke Kobayashi (Senku Ishigami in Dr. STONE), the lead Japanese voice actor in Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, who confirmed that Season 4 will be exclusively streaming on Crunchyroll in 2026.

Produced by studio WHITE FOX (Steins;Gate) with Masahiro Shinohara returning as director from Season 3, an exclusive teaser trailer was shown to panel attendees featuring characters Natsuki Subaru (voiced by Kobayashi) and Emilia (voiced by Rie Takahashi, Ai Hoshino in [OSHI NO KO]) with previously unseen footage.

A first-look teaser for the upcoming third season of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation was also shared, confirmed to stream on Crunchyroll in 2026. The almost two-minute trailer provided an early glimpse at new work from Studio Bind (Flower and Asura), showcasing the forthcoming action and adventure as well as the return of a fan-favorite character, Eris.

Based on the original novel series by Rifujin na Magonote, illustrated by Shirotaka, it is now confirmed that Ryosuke Shibuya will return as lead director, with character designs by Sanae Shimada and Ryota Furukawa, while Yoshiaki Fujisawa (Apocalypse Hotel) will continue to compose the series’ music.

In addition to the news regarding Classroom of the Elite 2nd Year, produced by Lerche (Given, Assassination Classroom), the follow-up anime to Classroom of the Elite Season 3 is set to arrive soon on Crunchyroll, and it was announced that Classroom of the Elite – Merge Puzzle Spacial Exam – has joined Crunchyroll Game Vault.

Playable for the first time outside of Japan, Classroom of the Elite – Merge Puzzle Spacial Exam – will be free of microtransactions, advertisements, and in-app purchases, joining over 50 other games available to Mega and Ultimate Fan tier members of Crunchyroll.

Fans of the iconic tokusatsu hero Kamen Rider learned that the action comedy Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider has secured a streaming home at Crunchyroll, set to premiere in October 2025. The show is being produced by animation studio LIDENFILMS (Tokyo Revengers, Insomniacs After School) and directed by Takahiro Ikezoe.

Adapted from the original manga by Yokusaru Shibata, the series’ composition is crafted by Toko Machida (Life Lessons with Uramichi-Oniisan) and follows the story of a 40-year-old man who nearly abandons his dream of becoming a Kamen Rider until a robbery alters his fate. TeddyLoid (Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt) will be composing the score.

For romantic comedy fans, You and I Are Polar Opposites will be delighting audiences in January 2026 on Crunchyroll. The series, produced by Lapin Track (Undead Murder Farce), is directed by Takayoshi Nagatomo (episode director on SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary).

Based on the manga by Kocha Agasawa, the series’ composition is written by Teruko Utsumi (Pokémon: Paldean Winds). A new trailer was shared with attendees, revealing the voice cast featuring the lively Suzuki (voiced by Sayumi Suzushiro, Ijichi Nijika from BOCCHI THE ROCK!) and the composed Tani (voiced by Shogo Sakata, Aki Hayakawa from Chainsaw Man) teasing the intriguing “opposites attract” storyline ahead.

Moreover, Hiroyuki SAWANO LIVE [nZk]008 (Hiroyuki Sawano Live new-ZEAK zero zero eight) will be added to Crunchyroll’s collection of over 100 full-length concerts later this Summer.

In addition to acquisitions, an exclusive teaser video showcasing never-before-seen footage from Sentenced to Be a Hero was created and presented to the Industry Panel guests. Produced by Studio KAI (7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!), the series is based on the novel series by Rocket Shokai, featuring a dark fantasy where Heroes — criminals sentenced to serve as heroes in a military unit — must confront a demon king’s army. The series is scheduled for premiere in January 2026 on Crunchyroll.

Also, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the beloved series Ouran High School Host Club, Crunchyroll announced a new merchandise collaboration with the sweater and cardigan brand Steady Hands. Newly created celebratory art by character designer Kumiko Takahashi was shared alongside a preview of the new anime clothing line, which is available for pre-order at steady-hands.com/ouran-high-school-host-club.

To conclude, a fan giveaway was hosted during the Industry Panel, offering one fortunate fan a replica of Misato Katsuragi’s uniform jacket from the groundbreaking series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Earlier this week, in celebration of Anime Expo and the 30th anniversary of the anime masterpiece created by Hideaki Anno, the jacket was showcased alongside Crunchyroll Store exclusives. Crafted from high-quality leather, it serves as both a stylish everyday piece and a cosplay item. Each jacket also includes a replica of Misato’s cross necklace. The jacket was available for purchase at Anime Expo and is on sale online for Crunchyroll subscribers, with open sales scheduled to start after AX concludes on July 7.