Demon King & Undead Knight Raise Kid in New Anime!

The second season of the dark fantasy anime Clevatess is now available for streaming on Crunchyroll. This series, celebrated for its distinctive retro anime aesthetic and unique premise, centers on an unlikely duo: a demon king and a reanimated great hero. They find themselves unexpectedly tasked with raising a kidnapped prince, blending intense battles with moments of tenderness and humor.

The creative team behind Clevatess discussed their artistic choices at Anime Expo 2026. They aimed to emulate the hand-drawn look of '80s and '90s cel anime through distinct lines, painterly backgrounds, and subtle film grain effects, despite being animated digitally. This retro veneer contributes to the show's nostalgic appeal for older audiences and its trendy aesthetic for younger viewers.

Key moments, such as a diaper-changing scene in a river, highlight the series' comedic yet heartwarming portrayal of the characters' dynamic, inspired by real-life experiences. The visually intense reanimation sequences for the hero Alicia were crafted with a deliberate SFX-inspired approach, drawing from zombie movies and films like Jurassic Park to achieve a grotesque yet humorous effect. The unexpected choice of Ellie Goulding's "Destiny" for the ending theme was made to appeal to a global audience, reflecting a more subdued side of the characters beyond their battlefield exploits.