SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, the anime adaptation of FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, is set to enjoy a three-week limited run in Japanese cinemas starting today. In anticipation of the debut, the anime’s official channels unveiled a special 1-minute trailer yesterday, titled “The Battle in the Silvergrass Fields.” However, it appears the anime’s director Kenichi Kutsuna was not pleased about this footage being shared prior to the release.
In a message posted to his personal X account, Kutsuna unexpectedly advised Sekiro enthusiasts to avoid watching the new trailer if they intend to catch the film in theaters. “I realize it might be too late, but a scene—which isn’t strictly a plot spoiler but includes a cinematic twist best kept under wraps—has made its way online. The director’s sincere hope is for viewers to experience the theater without having seen that footage.”
In a subsequent update, Kutsuna clarified that this oversight resulted from the carelessness of production company ARCH. For the record, Sekiro: No Defeat was brought to life by studio Qzil.la and co-produced by ARCH and Kadokawa. The director strongly emphasized that Kadokawa was not at fault for the premature trailer release.
This rather extraordinary statement from an anime director has left Japanese fans both surprised and curious about the circumstances behind the mistake. As of now, neither of the production companies involved has commented on the situation, and the trailer remains accessible on YouTube.
In other news, the global version of Sekiro: No Defeat is slated to stream on Crunchyroll, though the precise release date is still pending.