1
The Eminence in Shadow
Start here. Twenty episodes that establish Cid, his delusions, and the organization that forms around them.
5 titles
Updated Sep 14, 2026
The Eminence in Shadow Watch Order (2026 Guide)
A boy obsessed with being a shadowy mastermind reincarnates into a fantasy world and accidentally builds a real secret organization around his made-up delusions.
Recommended Order
Quick answer
- The Eminence in Shadow
- The Eminence in Shadow Season 2
Plus 2 optional extras and 1 more title.
2 titles · 32 episodes · ~13 hours
Watch the two TV seasons in order, and you have seen the whole story so far. Everything else is optional: two sets of chibi comedy shorts that ran alongside the seasons, and a theatrical film that has not released yet.
2
The Eminence in Shadow Season 2
Picks up directly from the Season 1 finale. Watch it straight after, with nothing in between.
Optional Extras
3
Em-Shade! Shorts
Two-minute chibi comedy sketches from a different studio, released alongside Season 1. No story content, so they change nothing if you skip them.
4
Em-Shade! Shorts Season 2
The same format, this time running alongside Season 2. Best enjoyed once you already know the cast.
Coming Soon
5
The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes
A new theatrical sequel picking up after Season 2, not a recap film. Scheduled for 2027 in Japanese theaters.
⚠ Not released yet. Only the year has been announced.
Why This Order
The order here is about as simple as this genre gets. Season 1 is the entry point, and at 20 episodes it takes its time setting up Cid, Shadow Garden, and the conspiracy he invents that keeps turning out to be real. Season 2 continues from that ending with no gap and no recap needed, so roll straight into it. That is 32 episodes total, and it covers everything the anime has adapted so far. The Em-Shade! shorts are a separate production made by a different studio in a chibi art style. They ran two minutes an episode alongside each season as web shorts and contain no story content, so they sit below the line as optional. The film, The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes, is a direct sequel to Season 2 rather than a recap, and it is scheduled for 2027 with no firm date yet.
How Many Episodes and Seasons Does The Eminence in Shadow Have?
The Eminence in Shadow has 2 seasons in the main run — 32 episodes altogether.
Main Run
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Eminence in Shadow | TV Series | 20 episodes | October 2022 |
| The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 | TV Series | 12 episodes | October 2023 |
Optional Extras
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Em-Shade! Shorts | ONA | 17 episodes | October 2022 |
| Em-Shade! Shorts Season 2 | TV Short | 12 episodes | October 2023 |
Coming Soon
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes | Movie | — | 2027 |
2 titles · 32 episodes · ~13 hours
Source Material
Where each part of the anime lines up with the source, so you know where to pick up reading.
Season 1
Source Vol. 1-2
Season 2
Source Vol. 3 - Vol. 4 (first half)
The Eminence in Shadow Spin-offs and Side Stories
Only spin-offs that tie into the main story are listed here — anthologies, fan books and the like are left out.
Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!: Shadow Gaiden
Spin-off Manga
Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!: Master of Garden - Shichikage Retsuden
Spin-off Manga
The anime adapts Daisuke Aizawa's light novel series, published in English by Yen Press and still ongoing at seven volumes. Season 2 ends partway through the fourth volume, so readers picking up from there should start at Volume 4, Chapter 4. The 2027 film is set to adapt the remainder of that volume. There is also a manga adaptation by Anri Sakano, likewise available in English from Yen Press.
The Eminence in Shadow Watch Order FAQ
How do I watch The Eminence in Shadow in order?
Season 1, then Season 2. That is the entire watch order for everything currently released: 32 episodes. The chibi shorts and the upcoming film are extras on top of that.
Is the chronological order different from the release order?
No. The series has no prequel seasons and no flashback arcs that would rearrange things, so story order and release order are identical. You can ignore the distinction entirely for this one.
Can I skip the Em-Shade! shorts?
Yes. They are two-minute chibi comedy sketches made by a different studio, and they carry no story content. They were released alongside each season as web shorts. Availability outside Japan is limited, so treat them as a bonus rather than part of the watch order.
When should I watch the movie?
After both seasons. The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes is a direct sequel to Season 2, not a recap of it, so there is nothing to gain from watching it early. It is scheduled to open in Japanese theatres in 2027, with no exact date announced yet.
Is there a Season 3?
Not announced. The only confirmed future entry is the 2027 film. The light novels are still running, so more material exists, but no third season has been announced by the production committee.
Where does Isekai Quartet fit in?
It does not. Isekai Quartet is a crossover comedy that borrows characters from several unrelated franchises, and the same applies to the Ple Ple Pleiades collaboration shorts. Neither is part of this story, and neither belongs in a watch order.
Where can I watch The Eminence in Shadow?
HIDIVE holds the worldwide licence for both seasons, in subtitled and English dubbed versions. In the United States it has also appeared on Hulu, Disney+, and through the HIDIVE channel on Prime Video. Availability shifts by region and over time, so check your local service.
Where do I start the light novel after the anime?
Season 2 stops partway through the fourth volume, so continue from Volume 4, Chapter 4. The English release is published by Yen Press and the series is still ongoing.