Blade & Bastard Anime to Air on HIDIVE in 2027: Director and Studio Announced
The first teaser for Blade & Bastard anime has been released, and the main staff and release date have been officially announced. The series will premiere on the HIDIVE platform in 2027. In the director's seat is Tomoki Kobayashi, known for works such as Akame ga KILL! and Btooom!
The anime tells a dark fantasy story set in the universe of the classic role-playing game series Wizardry. The series is being produced by the China-based studio Xingfu Entertainment. The team, which has previously worked on titles such as High Card and Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!, is now adapting an original Wizardry story into an anime.
The Wizardry series is known as one of the oldest and most influential RPG series in video game history. First released in 1981, the series inspired many modern RPGs with its dungeon exploration and challenging combat system. Blade & Bastard started as a light novel series set in this universe. The light novel was written by Japanese author Kumo Kagyu (author of Goblin Slayer) and began publication in 2022. The story centers on an adventurer pursuing an artifact that grants immortality.
The teaser visual also shows that the character designs are done by so-bin (Overlord). HIDIVE's announcement confirms that the platform has added this production to its 2027 lineup. For now, the release month or number of episodes has not been announced, but the arrival of the teaser signals that more details will be shared soon.
An anime adaptation based on the Wizardry universe is a huge source of excitement, especially for classic RPG fans. Tomoki Kobayashi's experience in the dark fantasy genre promises a production that fits the tone of the series. More promotional materials and voice cast announcements are expected to be revealed by 2027. Fans can follow updates from HIDIVE's official channels and sites like Anime News Network.
