クレバテス-魔獣の王と赤子と屍の勇者

CLEVATESS: MAJUU NO OU TO AKAGO TO KABANE NO YUUSHA

ANIME

STATUS
COMPLETE
EPISODES
12
RELEASE
September 17, 2025
LENGTH
24 min

DESCRIPTION

The story centers on the titular Clevatess, the lord of Dark Beasts, who wields both uncanny intellect and destructive power. Frustrated by the 13 heroes tasked to destroy him, he has decided to be rid of humanity once and for all. However, he has been charged with one nuisance: he revived a hero he personally slayed and adopts an orphaned humanoid baby—the last hope to save a dying world. The world stands upon the brink of Armageddon, with the obligation of raising one child holding it all back. Now bound together, what fate awaits this unlikely trio?

(Source: Anime News Network, Crunchyroll, edited)

Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of ~46 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

CAST

Alicia
Haruka Shiraishi
Clen
Mutsumi Tamura
Luna
Saya Aizawa
Neruru
Aoi Yuuki
Naie Chiffonlitz
Tomoyo Kurosawa
Gart
Takaya Aoyagi
Rodd
Tomokazu Seki
Broco
Shigeru Chiba
Dorel
Hiroki Yasumoto
Mirlo
Yuuki Ono
Maynard Swan
Chiharu Shigematsu
Haiden Ou
Jun Hashizume
Stefan
Mamoru Miyano
Mudo
Youhei Azakami
Margo Glenfall
Miou Tanaka
Minark
Shinba Tsuchiya
Holgas
Kenta Miyake
Katz
Yuuma Uchida
Narrator
Miou Tanaka

EPISODES

Dubbed

| | |

RELATED TO CLEVATESS: MAJUU NO OU TO AKAGO TO KABANE NO YUUSHA

Cover Art for Clevatess: Majuu no Ou to Akago to Kabane no Yuusha

MANGA ActionClevatess: Majuu no Ou to Akago to Kabane no Yuusha

Cover Art for Clevatess II: Majuu no Ou to Itsuwari no Yuusha Denshou

ANIME ActionClevatess II: Majuu no Ou to Itsuwari no Yuusha Denshou

REVIEWS

nearltrevor
60/100
Weak villain, flat heroes, muddled themes. Clevatess squanders its premise with poor writing and shallow execution.
The entire story is plagued by comical evils, obscure motivations and goals on all sides, poor main characters and a primary antagonist that is supposed to be the main focus for half the season but is very weakly written. The Main cast of characters are all unique and interesting on the surface but when time to go through their according arcs, all fall flat.

I thought the world setting was interesting, and I was really interested after the first 20 minutes of the first episode, but it just fell from there. The main character Alica encounters setbacks like in any story, but doesn't ever seem to be affected by her failures. One of the primary themes is talking about what makes (or doesn't make) a hero. Yet, every time this topic was touched on, it always felt stereotypical. Honestly, I couldn't really even follow this theme to begin with. Alica, tries to stay a hero and follow her ideals despite her initial failure. Cool premise, but she isn't forced to do anything that goes against these ideals or particularly challenges them despite it all.

Rising of the Shield Hero, despite its issues, was good about showing who stuck by his ideals despite the world trying to shut him down as a hero. Ironically on his way still taking actions of an anti-hero. Clevatess follows none of this picture, and Alicia is a character who encounters change that doesn't change her. She still despite it all is a "Hero."

Watch the show if you want, or dont. I don't care. I personally think at the core of it that it just sucked.

!!!!
------------------------------ Spoilers ahead ----------------------------------

!!!!

We learn Alicia's motivation to become a hero is from her father, a failed hero who lost his leg on a journey to embark as a hero of legend. As he fails, he passed on his regalia to his closest friend, Drel the main villain of the later half of the season. Drel then in the future kills Alicia's dad. WHY? His stated philosophy is that he wants to rid the world of heroes so no one has to go through the same suffering and despair that Margo endured… but then he turns around and personally kills Margo. This contradiction makes Drel a poor antagonist that the story wants us to believe is fighting for a greater purpose (even as a Dark Lord of Beasts is fueling and motivating him) but the different plot points and character motivations make him nothing but a comical villain who has an army that commits warcrimes and a paper tiger of a character.

You can see in the early story that Alicia loses an eye. Does she ever mention this issue past the first episode? No? Well good on you for guessing that right. She never once has to face the broken state of herself, and has a get out of jail card at every opportunity she faces when it comes to failure.

The Main Cast, Clevatess, Alicia , etc. All go through their own arcs, but these arcs are all extremely weak. Clevatess for example hates humanity for attacking his land and people, so he wants to learn more about them. Simple enough. He learns by the end of the story that humanity is actually more complex than he ever though, and doesn't give up on them, but he only learns this after Alicia yells at him to look at Luna's eyes. Which was supposed to be impactful I guess? Nothing truly challenges Clevatess' view on humanity in the story. All he faces is legit just warfare and banditry. He isn't shown true kindness, honor, tradition, legacy, or any other big human element that a non-human who wants to wipe out humanity would like to see and change his view. If I was Clevatess, I would assume humanity is nothing but a species that infights and betrays.

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Muhammad0001
87/100
This anime is going to be a representative of the Dark Fantasy anime.
Clevatess Anime Review: A Journey into the Depths of Dark Fantasy and Humanity

The anime "Clevatess: Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha" (Clevatess: The King of Magical Beasts, the Baby, and the Corpse Hero) is one of the most unexpected and compelling productions of the summer 2025 season, produced by studio Lay-duce. This anime is adapted from the manga of the same name by the talented Yuji Iwahara, an author with several older works, nearly all of which have been adapted into anime. The Clevatess manga was the only one remaining, and its adaptation, which aired this summer, is the focus of our topic today. Our focus is not on his previous works at this moment, but rather on this production, which situates itself within the dark fantasy genre, but in a way that completely distinguishes it from the conventional works of this genre. This review will attempt to carefully examine all aspects of this production, from its rich world to its complex characters and the profound themes it explores over its 12 episodes. I will leave a short summary of the story in the comments for you.

Story Summary: Shattering the Boundaries of "Good" and "Evil" from My Perspective

The story takes place in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. An ignorant and arrogant king sends thirteen of his kingdom's bravest heroes to destroy Clevatess, one of the four magical beast lords who have surrounded the human world. This attempt ends in a catastrophic failure, and all thirteen heroes, including a female hero named Alicia Glenfale, are brutally killed by Clevatess. Clevatess, whose anger and disgust with humans have reached their peak, decides to take revenge and put an end to the human race. He attacks the capital of the Hiden kingdom, leaving massive destruction in his wake.

However, amidst this devastation, an unexpected event completely changes the course of the story: a dying, wounded person hands a baby to Clevatess, begging him to protect it. This baby, named Luna, becomes the key to humanity's fate. Clevatess, who knows nothing about raising a human child, makes an even stranger decision: he resurrects Alicia, one of the heroes he himself had killed, as a "Corpse Hero" to help him raise Luna. Thus begins a strange and perilous journey for these three contrasting characters: a beast lord, a corpse hero, and a baby on whom the fate of the world depends.

An Introduction to the Fantasy World: The Continent of Edotia and its Races

One of the strongest points of the Clevatess anime is its detailed and rich world-building. The events take place on a continent called Edotia (or Edsea). This continent is divided in a unique geographical way: in the center reside five human-like races, but this region is surrounded on all four sides by the lands and kingdoms of magical beasts. The five main human-like races living in the center of the continent are the Dawn, Org, Slada, Bent, and Hiden. Although all these races are gathered in one area, their relationships are not peaceful. The anime beautifully shows how humans, due to their greed and lust for power, have become each other's greatest enemies.

The Kingdom of Hiden is the main focus in the first season; it was the one that sent its heroes to kill Clevatess and possesses the Ironworks Barrow, which has the ability to create the heroes' magical swords. After Clevatess weakens this kingdom, the other human kingdoms prepare to attack it to take control of the Ironworks Barrow. This is a small example of the internal conflict and strife that has engulfed the human world.

The Magical Beasts: Surrounding the human lands are four great armies of magical beasts, each led by a powerful lord. Clevatess is one of these four lords. These beasts are depicted as a fearsome natural force that has defined the borders of the human world and prevented its expansion. The anime gradually reveals that these beasts are not just mindless, bloodthirsty creatures, but possess their own thoughts and motivations. For example, Clevatess has intelligent reasoning abilities, but the human way of life is like a puzzle to him. This leads him, despite the humans' attack, to decide to give them a chance and try to understand them by raising Luna.

Positive and Negative Aspects of the Clevatess Anime

Clevatess has several notable strengths that make it stand out among other productions. Its greatest strength is its strange and bold story. Instead of repeating the cliché of the "chosen hero versus the dark king," the anime mixes and inverts these concepts. Here, the "King of Beasts" becomes humanity's last hope and is forced to play the role of a father. From Clevatess's perspective on Luna, this inversion opens a wide door to exploring profound themes, including the will to suffer, the core of self-assertion, the philosophy of the hero and savior, the concept of myth and anti-myth, and many other topics are brought up for discussion.

This innovative story gains more depth through its complex and multi-dimensional characters. Clevatess is not just a killer beast; as the story progresses, his "human" sides, if we can call them that, emerge. Alicia, the corpse hero, is a tragic and fascinating character trapped between her duty as a hero and her dark fate. This paves the way for the anime to boldly delve into dark and mature themes, such as the violence of war, post-war trauma, the pain of loss, and the thin line between revenge and forgiveness. All of this is presented within the framework of excellent world-building and a balanced narrative that reveals information gradually and at the right moments. Finally, high artistic and technical quality is provided by studio Lay-duce, especially in terms of animation and sound design.

Alongside all these strengths, there is the presence of extreme violence and some nudity. The anime very explicitly shows bloody and harsh scenes of violence, which fits the genre, but is certainly not acceptable for all viewers. However, there are no scenes of gratuitous bloodshed purely for artistic pleasure. Instead, it tries to stay away from such clichés. At the same time, due to the focus on character development and philosophical themes, some viewers might feel that the narrative pace is somewhat slow—though it wasn't slow for me, many other critics mentioned this point. Especially for those expecting continuous action, this anime is not suitable.

Ultimately, the complex nature of the story and its morally grey world, along with the heavy atmosphere of sorrow and tragedy that dominates it, means this production offers no sense of comfort to the viewer. It's rare for a seasonal work of this caliber, with such a strong resonance, to come along. This production is not suitable for viewers looking for a light-hearted pastime... (I believe the future of fantasy may lie in the dark fantasy subgenre because it has potential for growth. However, after the impact of "Frieren," I thought these darker genres might fade. Currently, Clevatess brings hope for the revival of this genre.)

It is noteworthy that the author of this work has three other excellent works:

Dimension W

King of Thorn (movie)

Darker than Black

If one day you think of watching an anime that is different from the rest, watch the three mentioned above.

To my readers, in conclusion: This anime proves itself to be one of the most important productions of the year for me, and I hope it will be for you too. Although its violence and heavy atmosphere may not be for everyone, for those who enjoy mature and thought-provoking stories, Clevatess will be an unforgettable experience. This is an anime that stays with you long after it's finished, making you question the boundaries we draw between human and monster, and between good and evil. From an animation standpoint, I have no significant criticism because it maintained a balanced 2D animation from beginning to end. Thanks to the studio for doing such a good job. My rating is 8.7/10 for the first season.
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Zeldslova19

85/100

“Actually... I'm sure I would've done it even without the legends": evaluating humanity in a classic epic journey

"IF THE WORLD COMES FROM CHAOS, THEN I MUST COME FROM THERE, TOO."

A quote from Ep. 12


Preceded by a lengthy debut episode (about 40 min. long), this anime series is produced by studio __Lay-Duce__ and arrived on the __Crunchyroll platform__, (unfortunately) only with subtitles and in a __12 episodes__ format.

<img width='' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G1B3_JRbwAEQ3mD?format=jpg&name=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 Edthea's 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.

<img width='' src='https://external-preview.redd.it/clevatess-anime-announced-teaser-visual-v0-yQsKBVEkxRe_wMPGwm1XvCblHbKnjMIa1QFzebLCfXg.jpg?auto=webp&s=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 world's 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 élite 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 kingdom's capital not only to eliminate the king who ordered the attack on her domain, but also to exterminate the population.

<img width='' src='https://cloggie.org/pictures/wissewords/Clevatess%20-%2001.jpg'> <img width='' src='https://i0.wp.com/anitrendz.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/clevatess_teaserpvscreenshot.png?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1'> <img width='' src='https://www.tvtime.com/_next/image?url=https://artworks.thetvdb.com/banners/v4/series/451793/backgrounds/669d92532999d.jpg&w=3840&q=75'>

After eliminating the ill-fated 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 humanity's 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 child's 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.

<img width='' src='https://otakuusamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/clevatess-kv3-2.jpg'> <img width='' src='https://a.storyblok.com/f/178900/1920x1080/0bea243d7c/clevatess-1st-trailer-screen.jpg/m/filters:quality(95)format(webp)'>

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 Luna's 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...

<img width='' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/4fbf8ddec99a31f6dca766280fc8b960/bb46b588319a467e-65/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: Majū no Ō to Akago to Shikabane no Yūsha_) is most probably THE fantasy anime of the season, even carrying some of its flaws. 
The anime adaptation is being developed by studio __[Lay-duce](https://anilist.co/studio/6075/Layduce)__ and it's directed by __[Kiyotaka Taguchi](https://anilist.co/staff/198604/Kiyotaka-Taguchi)__, with the expert Chief Animation Director __[Soichiro Sako](https://anilist.co/staff/120096/Souichirou-Sako)__ designing the characters, series composition by __[Keigo Koyanagi](https://anilist.co/staff/121798/Keigo-Koyanagi)__, and __[Takuro Tsukada](https://anilist.co/staff/124352/Takurou-Tsukada)__ serving as animation director.

<img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gy1zvYWXMAAk5vd.jpg:large'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G0fZV2iWQAAJaKf.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://a.storyblok.com/f/178900/1200x675/96e93667ff/clevatess.jpg/m/1200x0/filters:quality(95)format(webp)'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gwl9dQUXUAAsbXZ.jpg:large'> <img width='220' src='https://anitrendz.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clevatess-drell-character-visual.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/yvdcwg6aaxy.png'> <img width='220' src='https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/582/1456189.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/yvdcwkldqby.png'> <img width='220' src='https://eeo.today/media/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CVT09_Still_00057-1024x576.jpeg'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GyPRMS9WYAAYid8?format=jpg&name=large'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GxJPesKWUAEXGIX.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://i.imgur.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 doesn't 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 audience's 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 in-depth 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 IT'S ONE OF MY "HIDDEN GEMS" OF THE YEAR: THE HIGHLIGHTS__

That being said, after finished ep. 12 I'm genuinely convinced that Clevatess became one of the year's biggest surprises, by now. And if you haven't watched it yet, I will discuss the main good points in detail in order to convince y'all to give this anime a chance.

<img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/d6c14c902ad8d029ab415f0ea6e9c9c0/8bbff1195b0a9971-d9/s2048x3072/557e784b98b3b1b861c945993fb1e035cc53b044.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/7aa7d7929007194c734c893d648a7f71/8bbff1195b0a9971-1c/s2048x3072/4687b225ac660ed6be06ea3f313f0fbffffcc28a.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/d340ac18cd47c88dca78365d74f3707f/8bbff1195b0a9971-04/s2048x3072/c30b97af9710b2a7c179c344d2898c966198a451.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/a6c52b320fb1358dd510609a33514d5f/8bbff1195b0a9971-17/s2048x3072/46a03ba0708e3c51125de0aafe47e9d62dd708ab.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/632f924bb7857f33e354b2d6be36e68b/8bbff1195b0a9971-5b/s2048x3072/7a25c678a9b235a7639bb3ddaf9a4d51b35217b2.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/c6df09d24852e320a48fea520e422ebd/8bbff1195b0a9971-5c/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 role-playing game even more intriguing.

<img width='' src='https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/yq9c3ebrzg4.png'> <img width='' src='https://boomzappow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Book-of-Toah-Clevatess-Royal-Furnace-1024x576.webp'> <img width='' src='https://www.animeclick.it/immagini/anime/Clevatess/gallery_original/Clevatess-68765b191f19d.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 doesn't 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.

<img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gwl5l5CXIAAmn9d?format=jpg&name=large'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G1DNUmpa8AER0cl.jpg'>
<img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/1948002089717665792/pu/img/ARV-YbHGmMJbsbVa.jpg:large'> <img width='220' src='https://img.anitubu.com/imgs/2025/08/13/LBdBBGqOdFMsUik.jpg'>
<img width='220' src='https://prod98.togglestatic.com/shain/v1/dataservice/ResizeImage/$value?Format=%27jpg%27&Quality=85&ImageId=%279088503%27&EntityType=%27Item%27&EntityId=%27548442%27&Width=720&Height=405&ResizeAction=%27fill%27&HorizontalAlignment=%27center%27&VerticalAlignment=%27top%27'> <img width='220' src='https://truth.bahamut.com.tw/s01/202508/forum/60037/a012d2842b9c3d3246c5e7268382619e.JPG'>
<img width='220' src='https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/cf3314528015.png'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.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 world's 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 "déjà vù" changed completely starting by __Episode 11__. 

<span class='markdown_spoiler'><span><img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gy0rnDnXoAAtW9l.jpg:large'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gy0rnEhWkAA5P2G?format=jpg&name=large'>
<img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G0iFp7kWcAAo6s0.jpg:large'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G0iF9uNXoAAxpKd?format=jpg&name=large'>

In this specific ep., instead of focusing on the usual “good versus evil” setup, the show through a plotwist revealed a much bigger truth: __the entire war between humans and demons had been built on lies.__
So, the final episode is set to build on the shocking twist from this episode, where the long-standing “13 Heroes” tradition was revealed to be a complete lie. Luna's hidden identity as Haidenrius stunned both viewers and characters alike, while Klen discovered that __the Book of Torh had been manipulating his legacy all along.__ 
That moment added real weight to the series. Alicia, who started as a background fighter and was even killed off in Episode 1, but was immediately resurrected by Clevatess and showed she might actually be the story’s true hero. As for Klen, usually distant and all-knowing, suddenly broke down laughing at the absurdity of the world. These shifts gave the show depth it didn’t seem to have at first.</span></span>
Considering how much of the manga still hasn’t 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 I'm 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. It's 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.

<img width='220' src='https://i.imgur.com/URiG1xP.png'> <img width='220' src='https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/739cxkp2x37.png'> <img width='220' src='https://mediaproxy.tvtropes.org/width/1200/https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_tumblr_e0c60383764dc72e4590b27ba78f7d61_16e411b5_2048.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gu8wIVlXMAA54Ew.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://i.imgur.com/jPpv2Og.jpeg'> <img width='220' src='https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G1Efe7wWUAAJxoK.jpg'>

__5. A CAST OF COMPELLING AND MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS__ 

Unlike anime where heroes and villains are well-defined, 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.

<img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/fd527e489471f9879f44a76772c3d8d7/8bbff1195b0a9971-df/s2048x3072/bb44285df11e560cc470df8415fca617eaedd6af.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/7c9171b9afb49e44546bdd2e954e9aeb/8bbff1195b0a9971-cd/s2048x3072/be0e9c237f420dccf9f838da6901f6816d3b0fa3.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/16a8cbbedaa4d477de46f28351403a7d/8bbff1195b0a9971-f6/s2048x3072/2369f125f7e7a9e6b84ce55571de43e24d9c693c.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/0450d452f7fcc917cb83141b916fba66/8bbff1195b0a9971-cb/s2048x3072/b3c3a5e925b4a8ffa0731600760c1bc77e6049b6.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/bffc6c7a5d30e5874ac3a12862108add/8bbff1195b0a9971-70/s2048x3072/a9eed23bc544fee13bf0b420a11156be66f3fe94.pnj'> <img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/140ce2f80dd8d0445aa56428b19c83b2/8bbff1195b0a9971-3a/s2048x3072/2b7d1e1f6e59b2a40aa946417b0f5444af6d3d27.pnj'> 

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__THE PROTAGONISTS__

__ALICIA GLENFALL, a.k.a. THE CORPSE HERO (probably my fav one <3)__

<img width='' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/010bf582572335e4c0fa41d213c56f3e/f4e59598f6d27df9-c2/s640x960/6cfd04ec853d6400d927cd3441e07b3c8d3d61d8.pnj'>

At the center of this story there is __Alicia Glenfall__, a character who represents both the shining __light of heroism__ and the crushing __reality of failure__. She's not just another swordswoman swinging her blade against monsters, but a symbol of what it means __to chase glory, fall from grace, and still find a reason to carry on.__
At the very beginning, Alicia didn’t defeat the great monster king: instead, she lost, died tragically, and was reborn into a life tied to the very creature she once sought to destroy.
And even if this championess is indeed a fairly basic character, shaped largely by a desire for personal revenge, she is simultaneously held in the balance between life and death by a powerful demon. And while Alicia is now forced to obey his wishes like an empty puppet, she also was fortunate enough to return to life (and to do so several times), having the opportunity to settle her own scores and uncover the hypocrisies of the world she's always fought for, so she still clings to her identity as a hero.
In fact, Alicia’s most important relationship is with Clevatess itself. As her killer and her resurrector, Clevatess embodies everything Alicia hates, yet also everything that keeps her alive. This makes their bond (filled with tension, reluctance, and a strange dependency) fascinating since now, instead of serving the kingdom, she exists in service to the very being she tried to destroy. This cruel irony defines her origin within the anime and sets up her role as both __fallen hero__ and __reluctant servant__.
 Also, caring for the royal child not only softens her role but also allows her to feel like she has reclaimed some of her former heroism. In her eyes, protecting this innocent life is a form of personal redemption.
Her whole (back)story makes Alicia one of the most fascinating figure in Clevatess for fans looking for a character (and particularly, a _waifu_) who embodies both __tragedy__ and __resilience__.

As a chosen hero, Alicia is __skilled in combat__, particularly with her dual swords, and her fighting style is practical and rugged, reflecting her training and battlefield experience.  Alicia’s strength lies in her swordsmanship, endurance, and sharp reflexes but after her resurrection. Plus, she became even stronger since she gains an unnatural __"blood-connection"__ to Clevatess.

Although very classical in its structure, I really loved her very tragic story so far (from her father's death until her own), and how she is able to muster the guts to keep trying to be a hero, despite her significant set backs (trying not to spoil things).

__"MOONLIGHT" CLEVATESS /KLEN__

<img width='' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/203708630b6d0cc3885164dc840a76dd/f4e59598f6d27df9-3e/s640x960/219e75d6c585e1197a302abffbae7044abb44c69.pnj'>

With absolute dominion over light and darkness, this monstrous being that resembles a mixture of a lion, a ram, and a wolf has been guarding the __Southern border__ from times immemorial (its title was inherited around 1000 years prior to the beginning of the series). As one of the Beast Kings, though it itself is not the first Beast King of the South ever, Clevatess holds the title of __one of the strongest creatures in the world__: its power is so great, that it was able to wipe out an entire capital in a single night.
Though vulnerable in its human shape (Klen), Clevatess is scheming, holds the wisdom of ages, and has defeated hundreds of generations of heroes armed with the __"Manahydrite weapons"__. 
And for some specific reason, the last king of Hyden, __Hydelius V__, recognizes Clevatess as "the strongest and last barrier of the hominid races" to break through "the limits of the world". 
Clevatess, in turn, has felt the pull of curiosity for the mortals and their ways, and the only reason why it doesn't exterminate all of humanity is that same curiosity that has pulled it out of seclusion. Otherwise, it could very well wipe out all of the human kingdoms if he desired.
I think Klen/Clevatess steals the show both as a Demonic Beast and as a disturbing and androgynous "bad boy," and the dynamic between "him" and Alicia is probably the most successful element of the series. For instance, I believe the way how much Clevatess challenges her zombified subject's beliefs and motivations, having her humanity questioned, is a super interesting topic.

__NELLURU/NELL and LUNA__

<img width='220' src='https://64.media.tumblr.com/12229462f448c86e126f9ff0cdfd32c2/f5a57df589a657e8-03/s1280x1920/ab82959b013a77140c1cf369afda4c71f4e2bbf9.jpg'> 

__Nelluru (or Nell)__ is __Luna's nurse__ and a survivor of unspeakable cruelty in the lair of the __"Crows" bandits__. In fact, she was a former __slave__ and in the beginning her appearance is totally unkempt and neglected and her speech is hesitant, making her an outcast and a victim of abuse of all kinds. But, after spending her entire childhood deprived of freedom and dignity, Nelluru remains marked by a profound humility, and due to an innate maternal instinct she shows rare courage by protecting Luna to the end, even when her own life was at stake. 
If we all have seen what Nell has gone through, we clearly understand that if anyone is worthy of a second chance, it's Nell herself. So, after being brutally attacked by her owner and nearly killed, she's brought back to life with Klen's magical abilities, gaining a new brand body, a prodigious strength and an incredible resilience.

__Luna__ is the __royal newborn__, guardian of the future of all his people and the only son of the crown princess __T'ala Mort Anzetta__, who can't inherit the throne all alone. He's silent and insightful and he's entrusted to the care of Alicia, Klen and Nelluru.

Not gonna lie, both Nell and Luna are such cute and reletable characters, and even if they are the "weakest" members by now, I'm glad they are part of the group. <span class='markdown_spoiler'><span>That scene in ep. 12 in which Luna finally learns to walk by himself and reaches her mother on foot, or when the princess deeply thanks Nelluru for nurturing her son was truly touching and does justice to their development. I truly hope T'ala will hire Nelluru as part of her staff so she can continue caring for Luna.

<img width='220' src='https://i0.wp.com/anmtv.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/clevatess-2-1-1.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://i.imgur.com/x1WYqUc.jpeg'>  </span></span>

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>#__Digression on the ANIMATION & the MUSIC SECTOR__
The show’s animation comes from Lay-duce, 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, I'd say Clevatess has been a quite surprising show in terms of the quality because, even if the production staff don't really have anything notable, this time they're adapting this old style-like 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__ (o__O!), adds an unexpected international flavor that works surprisingly well.
<img width='220' src='https://media1.tenor.com/m/LvJ-HLe0v8IAAAAd/clevatess.gif'> <img width='220' src='https://media1.tenor.com/m/ygQy9F4KoH8AAAAd/clevatess.gif'> <img width='220' src='https://media1.tenor.com/m/UgFvXT94JtAAAAAd/clevatess.gif'> <img width='220' src='https://media1.tenor.com/m/YnzjF2QkPlcAAAAd/clevatess.gif'> <img width='220' src='https://media1.tenor.com/m/r4t4okBAerYAAAAd/clevatess.gif'> <img width='220' src='https://media1.tenor.com/m/fI-_taupX6wAAAAC/clevatess-%E5%B1%8D%E4%B9%8B%E5%8B%87%E8%80%85.gif'> 

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>#__In conclusion: THE NEXT BIG FANTASY ANIME?__

<img width='220' src='https://media.invisioncic.com/c324741/monthly_2025_05/ClevatessAnimeUnveilsHeroLeagueVisualsAheadofJulyPremiere2.jpg.8b050f261e6c3453748d90c4a113cd93.jpg'> <img width='220' src='https://www.manga-news.com/public/images/pix/dvd/6017/clevatess-anime-visual-3.webp'>
<img width='220' src='https://i0.wp.com/anitrendz.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/clevatess-second-new-episode-visual.jpg?fit=1024%2C1423&ssl=1'>

A fantastic and compelling world, as are the characters and the plot so far, all seasoned with brutal action. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but Clevatess has easily become this summer's breakout anime. And due to a very stacked season, I don't think it's 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, we'll have to wait for it.
if you aren't 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, I'm sure you won't regret it. ^^__

<img width='' src='https://a.storyblok.com/f/178900/2000x1414/f8dfc30dbd/clevatess-season-2.jpg/m/filters:quality(95)format(webp)'>

#__*Thank you for reading, see you in S2! <3*__~~~

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