During the "Dengeki Bunko Aki no Saiten Online 2026" event, Kadokawa unveiled the debut promotional video for the television anime adaptation of Toru Shirogane's award-winning dark fantasy light novel series, The Kept Man of the Princess Knight (Himekishi-sama no Himo). The preview confirms that the broadcast will officially premiere in January 2027 and highlights the opening theme song "True-Taboo," performed by MYTH & ROID.
Alongside the video reveal, production confirmed that musical group sajou no hana will perform the ending theme track, titled "Gika" (Flower Head). The story's voice cast is expanding as well, introducing three notable additions:
- Rie Takahashi as Vanessa
- Tetsu Inada as Dezu
- Rika Nagae as April
The newly announced talent joins leading cast members Junichi Suwabe as Matthew and Mikako Komatsu as Arwin. Production is anchored at animation studio BLADE under the direction of Chihiro Kumano (A Couple of Cuckoos). Deko Akao (After the Rain, Arakawa Under the Bridge) oversees series composition, while Hisao Ishii adapts original character designer Saki Mashima's illustrations for the screen. Renowned composer Taku Iwasaki (Gurren Lagann, Katanagatari) provides the series' musical score.
Shirogane's original novel series earned the grand prize at the 28th Dengeki Novel Awards and has exceeded 200,000 copies in circulation. English publisher Yen Press outlines the grim premise of the Dungeon City:
The Dungeon City is a wicked place filled with crime, debauchery, and death. Its one shining light is Arwin, the beautiful Crimson Princess Knight. She and her brave party of adventurers descend into the dungeon at the city's center, seeking a legendary treasure with the power to rebuild the princess's fallen kingdom. Many yearn to be by her side, but that spot is already taken by Matthew, a man despised by all in town as a cowardly weakling. Everyone thinks he is scum who just spends her hard-earned money on booze, women, and gambling. No one in the city—not even the princess knight— knows what Matthew is truly capable of.
