Fullmetal Alchemist’s Spiritual Successor Hits Major Milestone

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Fans often consider Fullmetal Alchemist one of the greatest anime series ever made, and it’s easy to see why. The story of Edward and Alphonse Elric was captivating, skillfully combining action, heartfelt moments, and even frightening scenes. Although a direct sequel to Fullmetal Alchemist seems unlikely, its creator, Hiromu Arakawa, is still creating manga. Her newest story is getting an anime adaptation next year, and the manga version has just reached a significant milestone, which is exciting news for anime fans.

The manga Daemons of the Shadow Realm is already doing well with 4.5 million copies in circulation, especially considering the anime hasn’t been released yet. Traditionally, anime adaptations significantly boost manga sales and introduce stories to a wider audience, as seen with popular series like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer. While Daemons is off to a good start, it still has a ways to go to reach the level of success enjoyed by series like Fullmetal Alchemist, which has over 80 million copies in circulation. However, the upcoming anime adaptation by Studio BONES could give Daemons of the Shadow Realm a big boost in sales.

What Are Daemons Anyway?

If you haven’t read Daemons of the Shadow Realm yet, here’s a quick look at the story: It’s a fantasy action manga about a young hunter whose peaceful mountain village is attacked, leaving everyone dead. He’s left to uncover the shocking truth about his past, including the identity of the person he thought was his sister, and the secrets of the powerful supernatural beings known as ‘Daemons’.

I’m so excited for Daemons of the Shadow Realm! It’s skipping the super crowded January season – which is already packed with shows like Jujutsu Kaisen, Golden Kamuy, and Hell’s Paradise – and will be released on Crunchyroll in April 2026. And the voice cast is amazing! We’ve got Kensho Ono, who I loved in Hell’s Paradise, as Yuru, Yume Miyamoto (known from Anne Shirley) as Asa, Yuichi Nakamura (from Jujutsu Kaisen) as Dera, and Misaki Kuno, who was fantastic in The Apothecary Diaries, as Gabby. I can’t wait!

Hiromu Arakawa’s latest project tells a different story than Fullmetal Alchemist, but her signature art style is still clear. Good news for fans: Studio BONES, the animation studio behind Fullmetal Alchemist, is returning to work on this new series. With My Hero Academia finishing its run this year, Studio BONES will have more availability to focus on this eagerly awaited project.

I’ve noticed a lot of buzz around Daemons of the Shadow Realm even before the anime comes out! It’s really got people talking, and I saw they’re having discussions about it over on the ComicBook Forum if you want to share your thoughts and join in.

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2025-11-12 23:16