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Tougen Anki, also known as Legend of the Cursed Blood, is rapidly gaining traction among dark fantasy and supernatural manga fans. With its recent anime adaptation, expanding lore, and official merchandise store, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for this property. Whether you’re new or already following Shiki Ichinose’s journey, here’s an in-depth update on everything happening in the world of Tougen Anki.
Origins and Manga Progress
Tougen Anki is a manga created by Yura Urushibara, whose blend of supernatural elements and emotional stakes has won over readers. The series began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion in mid-2020. By mid-2025, it has reached over 25 volumes, marking steady growth in its narrative and fanbase.
In 2025, the series also saw a spin-off titled Tsuki to Sakura no Kyōsō Kyoku, published in Monthly Shōnen Champion. This side story expands the universe and gives fans more insight into characters and lore beyond the main plotline. The manga has also been licensed in English by Yen Press, making it accessible to international audiences.
Anime Adaptation & Production Details
The anime adaptation of Tougen Anki premiered on July 11, 2025, handled by Studio Hibari. This adaptation has opened the world to visual storytelling, dynamic action sequences, and deeper character expressions.
Key creative staff include Ato Nonaka as director, Yukie Sugiwara handling series composition and screenplay, and Kohta Yamamoto in charge of music. The character design and art direction team, led by Ryoko Amisaki, aims to balance the gritty, supernatural tone with stylish visuals.
The anime is being distributed regionally through streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix in various territories. It is organized in cours (seasonal segments), and a second cour (the Nerima Arc) has already been announced for a later broadcast.
Story, Themes & Powers
Tougen Anki draws heavy inspiration from the Japanese folktale of Momotaro, reinterpreted in a modern, dark fantasy context. At the center is Shiki Ichinose, a young man whose life turns upside down when he learns he carries Oni blood—a hidden heritage that unlocks terrifying powers.
Shiki’s adoptive father, Tsuyoshi, held a secret past as a demon slayer (Momotaro), creating a tension between protection and expectation. As Shiki teeters between his human side and the demonic power awakening inside him, he becomes entangled in a conflict between two factions: the Oni Agency (representing demon lineage) and the Momotaro Agency (the demon hunters).
A central mechanic in Tougen Anki is the Blood Eclipse Release—unique supernatural abilities tied to one’s Oni blood. These powers often manifest in weaponized forms, like blood-based firearms, or more visceral melee techniques. But wielding such powers usually has a cost—physical strain, mental toll, or danger to the user’s humanity.
Characters to Watch
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Shiki Ichinose: The protagonist wrestling with identity, vengeance, and responsibility.
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Naito Mudano: An instructor figure associated with the Oni side, who evaluates new Oni students.
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Jin Kougasaki: Shiki’s classmate and rival, with complex loyalties.
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Tsubakiri Momomiya: A member of the Momotaro Agency, known for his obsession with experimenting on Oni.
Other supporting characters include Ikari Yaoroshi, Homare Byobugaura, Kuina Sazanami, Yomogi Momokusa, each with their own Blood Eclipse Releases and hidden motivations.
Current Progress & Reception
By Episode 4, Tougen Anki enters what fans refer to as the forest training arc, where tensions escalate and Shiki’s Blood Eclipse Release begins to dramatically shift the power dynamics around him. The anime premiered Episode 4 in Japan on August 9, 2025, and was released internationally soon after.
Reception has been mixed but promising. Many viewers praise the intriguing premise, strong world-building, and supernatural conflict. However, critics note some flaws—uneven pacing, reliance on shōnen tropes, and occasional weaknesses in CGI animation.
Popularity & Milestones
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The manga has strong circulation numbers: as of mid-2024, it surpassed 3 million copies in circulation.
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Early acclaim came when it was nominated for the Next Manga Awards in 2021, signaling early industry support.
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Online fan commentary ranges from enthusiastic support to critical evaluation of adaptation choices. Some fans highlight the series’ potential, while others are cautious about execution in the early episodes.
Tougen Anki Official Store
A major boost to the brand is the Tougen Anki Store—the official merch store for the series. They offer a curated collection of clothing (hoodies, T-shirts, jackets), home decor (blankets, tapestries, wall art), and accessories (phone cases, mugs, caps). Each item is designed with care to reflect the dark energy, symbolism, and striking aesthetics of the series.
Shop highlights include character-specific merch (for Shiki Ichinose, Naito Mudano, Jin Kougasaki) and “new arrival” items like wall tapestries and throw pillows. The store provides worldwide shipping, secure checkout, and supports fans in bringing this world into their daily lives.
What to Watch For Next
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The second cour (Nerima Arc) promises deeper conflict, more power reveals, and expanded mythology around Oni and Momotaro factions.
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The adaptation’s faithfulness to the manga will come under scrutiny—whether it honors pacing, nuance, and character moments.
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EU and international fans should keep an eye on streaming windows, dubbing/subtitle releases, and availability of region-locked content.
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Expect more exclusive merch drops, limited editions via the official store, and fan events or pop-ups.
Final Thoughts
Tougen Anki in 2025 is in a strong growth phase. With a fresh anime adaptation, continued manga expansion, deep lore, and a robust official merch store, the series is poised to become a staple in the dark fantasy genre. For fans, and especially those in World Wide, now is the perfect time to dive in—read the manga, watch the anime, and support the world with official merch from the Tougen Anki Store.
If you are a fan of Tougen Anki, you can buy Tougen Anki merch & Gifts at Tougen Anki Store .
