Daemons of the Shadow Realm Review: Masahiro Ando’s mysterious anime surprises with a Shyamalan-like twist that makes it a must-see
PLOT: In a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons, it is the birthright of “the children who sunder day and night”—twins Yuru and Asa—to rule over these powerful entities. Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world
REVIEW: It’s rare, but now and again a studio will ask us not to spoil an aspect of a release that feels essential to the review process. My jaw literally dropped when I saw the one restriction for the first episode of Daemons of the Shadow Realm. I immediately felt handcuffed, wondering how I’m going to do this at all. Nevertheless, I’m a professional, and we’re going to get the job done without stepping on any toes. Buckle up, folks, we’re gonna get vague!
One of my favorite things to do when I know I’m going to review something, especially anime, is to go in blind. I don’t read the synopsis, I rarely watch the trailer, I dive in, letting the film or television show take me on whatever journey it might be. That’s precisely what I did for Daemons of the Shadow Realm, and I got more than I’d bargained for.
Created by Hiromu Arakawa and directed by Masahiro Ando, Daemons of the Shadow Realm takes place in a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons. It is the birthright of “the children who sunder day and night”—twins Yuru and Asa—to rule over these powerful entities. Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world.
At first, Daemons of the Shadow Realm began like any other medieval-looking anime. The first episode opens with a mother giving birth to twins, Yuru and Asa. According to legend, the arrival of twins brings grim tidings, as the twins’ birthright is to command a supernatural duo called Daemons. This fortuitous event spells disaster for the sleepy town, as the woman assisting with the birthing process urges the mother to clench before the second child can see the light of day, an insane request. With no choice but to push, the twins are born, sealing the town’s fate.
16 years later, we find Yuru a skillful hunter with a soft demeanor; his only concerns are providing for the people in his village and caring for his twin sister, Asa. Meanwhile, Asa is underground, incarcerated inside a cage, hidden from the outside world. Yuru visits her whenever he gets the chance, bringing her gifts, gossip, and a friendly face to lift her spirits. While returning from a routine hunt, Yuru finds Denji, an enthusiastic, loudmouthed knucklehead whose positive attitude and inquisitiveness are infectious. As Yuru and Denji make their way back to the village, they take note of dual dragons soaring in unison through the sky, their mirrored paths carving trails against the blue. Only, they don’t sound like dragons. They sound like something else entirely, but it’s hard to tell. All is well, until it isn’t. Without warning, the anime’s easy-going, tranquil vibes shatter when we see a mysterious hand cast a spell, triggering a disruption throughout the town.
And that’s about all I can tell you. No. I’m serious. Hopefully, I’ve earned enough goodwill with you all by now that you’ll trust me when I say the next thing that happens is a Shyamalan-like twist (one of the good ones, I’m not delusional) that changes the anime’s vibes and urgency entirely. The gear shift is extreme, as the quiet anime erupts with violence and intrigue, most of what we’ve learned so far thrown out the window as new characters and dangers arrive. Those who’ve read Hiromu Arakawa’s manga know what I’m talking about. However, if you’re only tuning in for the anime, trust me: this show is worth checking out.
While delicately dancing around specifics, Daemons of the Shadow Realm surprised me. It’s mysterious, intriguing, and goes off like a bomb halfway through the episode. The artwork is gorgeous, with Art Director Tatsuro Onishi taking great care to present a lush world that’s both cozy and strange. Once the curtain falls, revealing the story’s true thrust, the animation becomes more dynamic, inviting action, gore, and supernatural elements.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm gave me just enough information and spectacle to keep me coming back for another episode. And I’m eager to learn more about the show’s extensive cast of characters. In addition to Yuru, Asa, and Denji, we meet others who immediately establish themselves as characters with big personalities and, in some cases, impossible powers. I want to know more about them, see what they’re capable of. So far, I’m in the dark about what’s going on as much as Yuru and Denji are, and I like that. Dera, a merchant with something to hide, is another fun character who becomes more than you’d expect as events unfold.
Meanwhile, wait until you meet Gabby. She’s already my favorite character in the episode, but you’ll need to watch to find out why. Again, spoilers.
We did it, folks. We managed to talk around the “big reveal” and still express how much fun it was to watch the first episode of Daemons of the Shadow Realm. Please, take my advice and give this series a look. I was surprised by the twist, and I wonder if there’s more to it than the characters in the know are letting on. Clearly, the town has been keeping secrets from Yuru and Asa for a reason, and I want to know how deep the rabbit hole goes. Don’t be surprised when an easy-going anime explodes into supernatural chaos. I did my best to prepare you. Enjoy!
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