Passione will handle anime production for the new season
The official Chained Soldier anime stage event at Jump Festa 2025 today announced that Kana Hanazawa (Ichika Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets) is cast as Ren Yamashiro, the Chief of the Anti-Demon Corps’ 10th Unit, in the anime’s upcoming second season.
Ren’s character voice was already featured in the teaser trailer for the second season announcement released in March.
RELATED: Chained Soldier TV Anime Season 2 Confirmed
The first season of the TV anime adaptation of Takahiro (story) and Yohei Takemura’s (arts) action fantasy manga aired for 12 episodes from January to March 2024.
As previously reported, Masafumi Tamura (Ange Vierge, The Misfit of Demon King Academy II), newly serves as the director in place of Season 1’s Goro Kuji. Keiya Nakano (Keijo!!!!!!!!) is the new character designer in place of Season 1’s Hiroyuki Yoshii, and Passione will work on anime production.
Junji Nishimura served as general director and Goro Kuji directed the first season of the anime at animation studio Seven Arcs.
The original Chained Soldier manga is written by Takahiro, illustrated by Yohei Takamura and published by Shueisha in Shonen Jump+ magazine. An English language version is also available from Yen Press. HIDIVE streams the first season and describes the anime:
To save the world, Yuuki must be willing to become Commander Kyouka’s servant both on the battlefield and at home.
Story of Chained Soldier
Chained Soldier, or Mato Seihei no Slave, is a Japanese manga written by Takahiro and illustrated by Yohei Takemura. This is an action manga with supernatural elements and servitude, trust, and camaraderie in a dystopian world. Here’s the full story summary:
Background
The story is set in a world where mysterious portals called Mato have opened, and an alternate dimension filled with monsters called Shuuki has emerged. In the Mato, special fruits called Peaches give supernatural abilities only to women, creating a new class of powerful female warriors who are tasked with protecting humanity from the Shuuki.
Protagonist: Yuuki Wakura
He is Yuuki Wakura, a high school student who just happens to end up in the Mato trying to help a girl. Luckily for him, he is saved by Kyouka Uzen, a commander of the Anti-Demon Corps, a kind of military unit fighting the Shuuki.
The Servitude Contract
Kyouka has a unique ability to transform others into her “slaves,” which endows them with great power that they have to use according to her command. Yuuki accepts becoming Kyouka’s slave to survive and fight Shuuki properly. In this slave state, he has the highest strength and fighting powers but remains a slave under her control during the transformation.
The contract, though unpleasantly worded, Kyouka is gentle and respectful of Yuuki and the two end up entering a mutually beneficial relationship as equals with confidence in each other.
Anti-Demon Corps and the Five Houses
Yuuki becomes a member of Kyouka’s unit, Anti-Demon Corps, comprising five elite families that specialize in specific combat techniques and powers. The members are female warriors gifted with Peach’s powers to fight Shuuki and save human race.
Main heroines include:
Kyouka Uzen: The harsh yet caring leader who can make others slaves to be used for battle.
Himari Azuma: A bubbly and energetic character who clicks very quickly with Yuuki.
Shushu Suruga: A cool as-ice and introverted swordswoman with a sense of justice.
Every single character holds different dynamics in the story, depending on their relations with Yuuki and Kyouka.
Main Story Arcs
1. The Introduction Arc
Yuuki entered the dangerous world of Mato and was made into slave to Kyouka. He trained for mastery of his new powers while figuring out the strange ways of being beneath a strong female group.
2. Shuuki Threat Intensifies
The Shuuki become increasingly aggressive, leading to intense battles that push the corps to their limits. Yuuki’s unique ability as Kyouka’s slave proves invaluable, as his strength often turns the tide of battle.
3. The Five Families Conflict
Rivalries and politics create internal tension within the Five Families, leading to conflicts with the unity of the Anti-Demon Corps. Yuuki and Kyouka are tasked to handle this scenario while exploring other secrets concerning Mato’s, Shuuki, and true Peach origins.
4. Growth of Yuuki and the Background of Kyouka
Yuuki starts to gain more confidence and skill, no longer relying on Kyouka’s power. Meanwhile, Kyouka’s past is unfolded, which gives insight into her motivations and the sacrifices she has made as a commander.
5. The Mato’s Hidden Secrets
This opens up to revelations about the truth of the Mato, Shuuki, and the peaches’ beginning. All of these set in place even higher battles and morals.
Themes
Trust and Partnership:
The progression of Yuuki and Kyouka’s master-slave to a deep-rooted partnership established on trust and mutual respect has been the biggest theme of all.
Strength and Vulnerability:
The series delves into the balance between strength and vulnerability, revealing that even the strongest warriors have fears and weaknesses.
Power Dynamics:
The story delves into the complexities of power dynamics: literal servitude in the form of Yuuki and societal roles imposed by the Peaches.
Camaraderie:
The bonds between the characters, especially within Kyouka’s unit, highlight the importance of teamwork and solidarity in overcoming challenges.
Conclusion
Chained Soldier is a fast-paced and action-packed story that combines thrilling battles with character-driven moments. The evolving relationships, mysteries of the Mato, and themes of trust and growth make it an engaging read. While the premise involves servitude, the series treats its characters with depth, focusing on their personal struggles and aspirations.
Fans of supernatural action with a twist will surely find Chained Soldier an enthralling adventure full of action, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments.