IF THE WORLD COMES FROM CHAOS THEN I MUST COME FROM THERE TOO. A quote from Ep. 12 Aside from the isekai macrogenre it seems Japanese anime industry goes back to the origins once in a very while so to speak focusing more on classic fantasy a category that Clevatess fits naturally into and even brings some interesting insights. Preceded by a lengthy debut episode about 40 min. long this anime series is produced by studio LayDuce and arrived on the Crunchyroll platform unfortunately only with subtitles and in a 12 episodes format. https://pbs.tw.com/media/G1B3JRbwAEQ3mD?format=jpgname=4096x4096 SYNOPSIS: from A PREVENTIVE WAR to A BABYSITTER DEMON KING Characterized by settlements and a vast territory surrounded by unexplored and rugged terrain the continent of Edthea comprises a prosperous region concentrated across five nations. These five kingdoms are Hyden Boelate Eslinn and the last two remain unknown. While humanity resides in these kingdoms their freedom is limited as the continents North South East and West are ruled by the Four Lords of the Dark Beasts: Vordein Clevatess Laswell and Zavthier respectively. These beasts are the oldest and strongest living creatures possessing great magical prowess. Also along Edtheas outer borders lies a wilderness inhabited by ferocious monsters serving these Magical Beast Kings. The regions they rule remained unexplored by humans as they are afraid and weak to venture into them. So we have four imposing demonic entities intolerant of any intrusion into their territory which have prevented humanity from expanding their dominions. But this situation though fraught with enormous risk is no excuse to hinder the expansionist plans of the Kingdom of Haiden. Therefore in an effort to fulfill an ancient legend the monarch gathers the most powerful individuals including the fearless swordswoman Alicia Glenfall to form a team of 13 heroes who follow his order. https://externalpreview.redd.it/clevatessanimeannouncedteaservisualv0yQsKBVEkxRewMPGwm1XvCblHbKnjMIa1QFzebLCfXg.jpg?auto=webps=6728214a1849ef66f5064876a2a313699c1f19c3 Bearing an unwavering will Alicia is a courageous girl who longing to become just like her heroic father a noble paladin who could one day broaden the worlds horizons earned the honor of becoming a member of the 13 heroes from the continent of Edthea. Entrusting each of these brave warriors with one of the Crimson Weapons to withstand adversity the lite squadron of formidable individuals each carrying a different legendary weapon is tasked with undertaking a raid on the border of Haiden to defeat the Southern Magical Beast King named Moonlight Clevatess. Once they reach their intended location but without even remotely foreseeing the repercussions of this epic fight against such a terrible entity the heroes must face the relentless creature the same creature that will mercilessly kill unwanted invaders. In addition to this their reckless action triggered a bloody massacre that far from providing any benefit led to the absolute annihilation of those involved. In fact determined to exact revenge on the Kingdom of Haiden for invading its home Clevatess storms the kingdoms capital not only to eliminate the king who ordered the attack on her domain but also to exterminate the population. https://cloggie.org/pictures/wissewords/Clevatess202001.jpg https://i0.wp.com/anitrendz.net/news/wpcontent/uploads/2024/07/clevatessteaserpvscreenshot.png?resize=6962C392ssl=1 https://www.tvtime.com/next/image?url=https://artworks.thetvdb.com/banners/v4/series/451793/backgrounds/669d92532999d.jpgw=3840q=75 After eliminating the illfated group of heroes and destroying the Kingdom of Haiden in revenge and while contemplating the alternative of annihilating humanity before leaving the ruined city the evil creature hears a cry that captures its interest. Thus buried in the rubble of the royal castle Clevatess finds a living newborn baby accompanied by a dying guardian. The latter unafraid of being struck by the merciless entity begs Clevatess before dying to save the infant for by growing up it could prove humanitys worth. Consequently intrigued by the potential of a lesser species the fearsome creature agrees to raise the infant who belongs to the royal family. Lacking any knowledge of how to treat a defenseless being and driven by the desire to witness the childs development Clevatess decides to revive the champion Alicia to aid him in this final task and in a seemingly magnanimous attempt to examine human nature and understand their wicked motivations with which they are shaking up the world as they know it. https://otakuusamagazine.com/wpcontent/uploads/2025/05/clevatesskv32.jpg https://a.storyblok.com/f/178900/1920x1080/0bea243d7c/clevatess1sttrailerscreen.jpg/m/filters:quality95formatwebp Thus the beast assumes the humanoid identity of Klen and after naming the child Luna the terrible creature will attempt to decipher together with its reanimated subordinate Alicia the complexities of a disconcerting and at times cruel species. Also aware of Lunas royal lineage Alicia must try to protect him from danger to avoid a tragedy that would push Clevatess to unleash a catastrophe. In fact based on its experience with the various populations in perpetual conflict with each other Clevatess will judge whether they deserve to exist or disappear forever. Alicia Luna and Klen and later another girl a hired nanny named Nelluru who was a prostitute and a slave under the Ravens bandits will set off on a journey to the continent of Edthea in order to discover civilization while the delicate balance of power between the various nations inexorably crumbles... https://64.media.tumblr.com/4fbf8ddec99a31f6dca766280fc8b960/bb46b588319a467e65/s1280x1920/2250d2d9900d1e873aba5db412f890dbd1ec390f.jpg FINAL COMMENTS INFO ANALYSIS/PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS Based on the manga of the same name written and illustrated by mangaka Yuji Iwahara who also created another good fantasy King of Thorn Clevatess: The King of Magical Beasts In Japanese: Clevatess: Maj no to Akago to Shikabane no Ysha is most probably THE fantasy anime of the season even carrying some of its flaws. The anime adaptation is being developed by studio Layducehttps://anilist.co/studio/6075/Layduce and its directed by Kiyotaka Taguchihttps://anilist.co/staff/198604/KiyotakaTaguchi with the expert Chief Animation Director Soichiro Sakohttps://anilist.co/staff/120096/SouichirouSako designing the characters series composition by Keigo Koyanagihttps://anilist.co/staff/121798/KeigoKoyanagi and Takuro Tsukadahttps://anilist.co/staff/124352/TakurouTsukada serving as animation director. 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/Gy1zvYWXMAAk5vd.jpg:large 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/G0fZV2iWQAAJaKf.jpg 220https://a.storyblok.com/f/178900/1200x675/96e93667ff/clevatess.jpg/m/1200x0/filters:quality95formatwebp 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/Gwl9dQUXUAAsbXZ.jpg:large 220https://anitrendz.net/news/wpcontent/uploads/2025/06/clevatessdrellcharactervisual.jpg 220https://cdn.chest.com/files/yvdcwg6aaxy.png 220https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/originaluntouched/582/1456189.jpg 220https://cdn.chest.com/files/yvdcwkldqby.png 220https://eeo.today/media/wpcontent/uploads/2025/08/CVT09Still000571024x576.jpeg 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/GyPRMS9WYAAYid8?format=jpgname=large 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/GxJPesKWUAEXGIX.jpg 220https://i.ur.com/Q2Ohc64.png Supported by a curious premise that lays the appropriate foundation for its quite unusual plot Clevatess presents a compelling proposition that from the very beginning immerses the audience in a tense story. Using a narrative that doesnt shy away from exploring the darkest side of humanity the work establishes the context of a violent environment also addressing several explicit scenes: aspects that should be carefully considered before watching the anime. Thus encouraging the evolution of a fabulous plot which distinguished by the evocation of a peculiar atmosphere arouses the audiences anticipation of how its protagonists will face numerous dilemmas in a world marked by suffering and despair. Likewise displaying a technical section of according to myself unique quality from its striking visual aesthetics some imaginative landscapes and evocative action sequences to the composition of an interesting soundtrack the adaptation introduces those kind of settings that can generate an immersive atmosphere. In addition to the above the series stands out for its indepth exploration of the interactions of its cast showing various circumstances in which one can observe the evolution of the connections between the characters as well as the evolution of each individual. These virtues make this release a surprising preview that in addition to being appreciated by dark fantasy enthusiasts will keep all types of viewers enthralled as the episodes unfold. WHY ITS ONE OF MY HIDDEN GEMS OF THE YEAR: THE HIGHLIGHTS That being said after finished ep. 12 Im genuinely convinced that Clevatess became one of the years biggest surprises by now. And if you havent watched it yet I will discuss the main good points in detail in order to convince yall to give this anime a chance. 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/d6c14c902ad8d029ab415f0ea6e9c9c0/8bbff1195b0a9971d9/s2048x3072/557e784b98b3b1b861c945993fb1e035cc53b044.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/7aa7d7929007194c734c893d648a7f71/8bbff1195b0a99711c/s2048x3072/4687b225ac660ed6be06ea3f313f0fbffffcc28a.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/d340ac18cd47c88dca78365d74f3707f/8bbff1195b0a997104/s2048x3072/c30b97af9710b2a7c179c344d2898c966198a451.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/a6c52b320fb1358dd510609a33514d5f/8bbff1195b0a997117/s2048x3072/46a03ba0708e3c51125de0aafe47e9d62dd708ab.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/632f924bb7857f33e354b2d6be36e68b/8bbff1195b0a99715b/s2048x3072/7a25c678a9b235a7639bb3ddaf9a4d51b35217b2.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/c6df09d24852e320a48fea520e422ebd/8bbff1195b0a99715c/s2048x3072/5749f4096187117016ca38b8e66e9b4dd2b86c37.pnj 1. A DARK AND UNIQUE PLOT ALTHOUGH NOT REVOLUTIONARY The title falls into the dark fantasy category featuring a fair amount of violence and bloodshed and a narrative that presents a fairly classic tale that of the journey of the small group of protagonists against the backdrop of political intrigue and clashes between various factions. The story presents a dark and cruel world where gods and powerful beings engage in political games and wars creating a more mature and unpredictable atmosphere. So the Horrible beast lord has to reluctantly raise a baby and learns about humans and their struggles along the way premise is merely the gateway to a much more complex dark fantasy universe. Furthermore the fact that magic often referred to as alchemy is a concept whose existence has not yet been acknowledged especially among ordinary mortals but which is slowly emerging and which proves decisive in the course of battles makes this roleplaying game even more intriguing. https://cdn.chest.com/files/yq9c3ebrzg4.png https://boomzappow.com/wpcontent/uploads/2025/09/BookofToahClevatessRoyalFurnace1024x576.webp https://www.animeclick.it/immagini/anime/Clevatess/galleryoriginal/Clevatess68765b191f19d.jpg 2. A POTENTIALLY RICH AND DEEP WORLDBUILDING Personally I loved that this series devotes significant attention to the development of its mythology religion and the geopolitics between kingdoms such as the Boelate Empire. This gives the feeling that the universe is alive and layered reminiscent of dense works like Made in Abyss or Attack on Titan. And as for me I think he worldbuilding is potentially well structured in its basics though it doesnt stray too much far from fairly classic stereotypes and allows for an immediate understanding of both the various competing factions and the power dynamics that develop over the course of events without running the risk of getting lost in an endless list of names. 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/Gwl5l5CXIAAmn9d?format=jpgname=large 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/G1DNUmpa8AER0cl.jpg 220https://pbs.tw.com/exttwvideothumb/1948002089717665792/pu//ARVYbHGmMJbsbVa.jpg:large 220https://.anitubu.com/s/2025/08/13/LBdBBGqOdFMsUik.jpg 220https://prod98.togglestatic.com/shain/v1/dataservice/ResizeImage/value?Format=27jpg27Quality=85ImageId=27908850327EntityType=27Item27EntityId=2754844227Width=720Height=405ResizeAction=27fill27HorizontalAlignment=27center27VerticalAlignment=27top27 220https://truth.bahamut.com.tw/s01/202508/forum/60037/a012d2842b9c3d3246c5e7268382619e.JPG 220https://cdn.chest.com/files/cf3314528015.png 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/GxKGOQlWYAIhDYC.jpg 3. CONSTANT ELEMENTS OF MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE Linked to this the constant mystery and intrigue is another strong point since I think the series excels at building suspense and creating the sense of deep hidden secrets. Elements like the Book of Toah and mysterious entities like the Four Calamities keep the audience intrigued with each episode always wanting to learn more about the worlds mythology. To give some practical examples: for much of its run Clevatess may gave the impression it would be another familiar fantasy anime. However that sense of dj v changed completely starting by Episode 11. Considering how much of the manga still hasnt been adapted it seems season 1 feels more like the opening act than a complete tale which makes a Season 2 announcement feel almost inevitable EDIT: and so it was XD. 4. AN INTENSE AND TOO MATURE ATMOSPHERE But the aspect that Im sure will please the fans of this niche genre the most is the intense and mature atmosphere. As I said previously Clevatess is not a light epic fantasy at all: it tackles heavy themes features brutal battles and reflects on ambition power and destiny. Its the ideal choice for those looking for a more serious fantasy different from the standard lighthearted adventures. For in Clevatess Episode 3 picks up directly where the second episode leaves off with Alicia suddenly reawakening to her mangled body. And while Clevatess has a quaint discussion with Alicia about the nuances of being a rogue bandit her neck is twisted completely the wrong way. This brutal scene is somewhat horrifying to watch but in line with the rest of the epic but merciless seinen series. 220https://i.ur.com/URiG1xP.png 220https://cdn.chest.com/files/739cxkp2x37.png 220https://mediaproxy.tvtropes.org/width/1200/https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsztumblre0c60383764dc72e4590b27ba78f7d6116e411b52048.jpg 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/Gu8wIVlXMAA54Ew.jpg 220https://i.ur.com/jPpv2Og.jpeg 220https://pbs.tw.com/media/G1Efe7wWUAAJxoK.jpg 5. A CAST OF COMPELLING AND MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS Unlike anime where heroes and villains are welldefined here many characters navigate gray areas. Clevatess Alicia and even the villains have their own complex motivations sometimes making it difficult to predict who is truly an ally or an enemy. Plus although the series structure is fairly classic the dynamic created between the three main protagonists seems to work well even allowing for some brief comic relief that lightens the tension without significantly ruining the overall tone of the whole story. 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/fd527e489471f9879f44a76772c3d8d7/8bbff1195b0a9971df/s2048x3072/bb44285df11e560cc470df8415fca617eaedd6af.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/7c9171b9afb49e44546bdd2e954e9aeb/8bbff1195b0a9971cd/s2048x3072/be0e9c237f420dccf9f838da6901f6816d3b0fa3.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/16a8cbbedaa4d477de46f28351403a7d/8bbff1195b0a9971f6/s2048x3072/2369f125f7e7a9e6b84ce55571de43e24d9c693c.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/0450d452f7fcc917cb83141b916fba66/8bbff1195b0a9971cb/s2048x3072/b3c3a5e925b4a8ffa0731600760c1bc77e6049b6.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/bffc6c7a5d30e5874ac3a12862108add/8bbff1195b0a997170/s2048x3072/a9eed23bc544fee13bf0b420a11156be66f3fe94.pnj 220https://64.media.tumblr.com/140ce2f80dd8d0445aa56428b19c83b2/8bbff1195b0a99713a/s2048x3072/2b7d1e1f6e59b2a40aa946417b0f5444af6d3d27.pnj THE PROTAGONISTS ALICIA GLENFALL a.k.a. THE CORPSE HERO probably my fav one Digression on the ANIMATION the MUSIC SECTOR The shows animation comes from Layduce and while some quieter scenes are fairly standard the action has consistently delivered. So speaking of the technical execution Clevatess also maintains acceptable standards with very few flashes yes but at a very decent average level for a serialized product. The character and background designs and animations are functional and the animation style itself is sort of retro but establishing it as a brand new anime. The grainy look with the film grain with the flat tone coloring the characters mixed really well. That being said Id say Clevatess has been a quite surprising show in terms of the quality because even if the production staff dont really have anything notable this time theyre adapting this old stylelike anime really well. On the music side this anime has stood out for its unusual mix of talent. The opening Ruler by Mayu Maeshima is a powerful theme that sets the tone right away while the ending Destiny by Ellie Goulding oO adds an unexpected international flavor that works surprisingly well. 220https://media1.tenor.com/m/LvJHLe0v8IAAAAd/clevatess.gif 220https://media1.tenor.com/m/ygQy9F4KoH8AAAAd/clevatess.gif 220https://media1.tenor.com/m/UgFvXT94JtAAAAAd/clevatess.gif 220https://media1.tenor.com/m/YnzjF2QkPlcAAAAd/clevatess.gif 220https://media1.tenor.com/m/r4t4okBAerYAAAAd/clevatess.gif 220https://media1.tenor.com/m/fItaupX6wAAAAC/clevatessE5B18DE4B98BE58B87E88085.gif In conclusion: THE NEXT BIG FANTASY ANIME? 220https://media.invisioncic.com/c324741/monthly202505/ClevatessAnimeUnveilsHeroLeagueVisualsAheadofJulyPremiere2.jpg.8b050f261e6c3453748d90c4a113cd93.jpg 220https://www.manganews.com/public/images/pix/dvd/6017/clevatessanimevisual3.webp 220https://i0.wp.com/anitrendz.net/news/wpcontent/uploads/2025/03/clevatesssecondnewepisodevisual.jpg?fit=10242C1423ssl=1 A fantastic and compelling world as are the characters and the plot so far all seasoned with brutal action. Maybe Im exaggerating but Clevatess has easily become this summers breakout anime. And due to a very stacked season I dont think its getting the attention it deserves. Furthermore I think it has the potential to be one of the best dark fantasy series of the last decade. But for now well have to wait for it. if you arent in the mood for OP protagonists and tits but simply enjoy medieval violence and bad guys who get bad things done and finally meet a very bad end you should just check out this anime. No isekai no harems no RPG mechanics. Just a pure grotesque and gratuitous fantasy journey. In conclusion: give Clevatess a try Im sure you wont regret it. https://a.storyblok.com/f/178900/2000x1414/f8dfc30dbd/clevatessseason2.jpg/m/filters:quality95formatwebp Thank you for reading see you in S2 3