Dark Academia-themed Anime Trailer Unveils, Draws Inspiration from Disney Villains
Get ready, Disney dark-lovers! The long-awaited anime adaptation of Twisted Wonderland is finally touching down in the US this October, just in time for a delightfully eerie Halloween.
This forthcoming Disney+ series will bring to life the Book of Heartslabyul arc that fans might recognize from the popular Disney game and manga series, centered around Yuuken, the franchise's main character. A mysterious figure invites Yuuken to Night Raven College, an academy steeped in Dark Magic.
The elite school plays host to seven houses, each named after a classic Disney Villain: Maleficent, Hades, Scar, The Evil Queen, The Queen of Hearts, Jafar, and Ursula. Sign us up for the Hades house, please—we're definitely here for that concept! Check out the trailer below, featuring the game's captivating theme song.
Take a peek at the trailer from Disney+, which showcases the anime crafted by studio Yumeta Company and Graphinica. The series is being helmed by chief director Takahiro Natori (of Tokyo Mew Mew New) and directed by Shin Katagai (The Ossan Newbie Adventurer, Became Invincible), as announced by Crunchyroll. Yoichi Kato (City Hunters: Shinjuku Private Eyes) will pen the scripts, while Haruka Nakano and Akane Sato handle the animation art, staying true to the franchise's original aesthetic. With animation by Yana Toboso, the series has reportedly been greenlit for three seasons on the platform.
Curious about the mischief-making Cheshire-smiling demon cat named Grim? No need to say more—we're in! Although we've seen some tantalizing glimpses of the manga art and game materials before, the official series premiere promises a twisted blend of villainous teens and iconic Disney baddies. The style is Disney-bound gothic perfection, and the premise is irresistible for those ready to revel in the Dark Academia aesthetic.
BRACE YOURSELF, Twisted Wonderland fans! The anime debuts on Disney+ this October.
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(Note: Release date of the anime might have been adjusted with the new information, as the original article seemed to indicate an October 2025 release, while the enrichment data does not clearly state the specific year. Apologies for any confusion this might cause, and take the information with a pinch of salt until an official announcement is made.)
- The upcoming Disney+ series, Twisted Wonderland, promises to be a delightful addition to Disney dark-lovers' Halloween this October, bringing the Book of Heartslabyul arc to life.
- As fans might recognize, the series centers around Yuuken, the main character, who is mysteriously invited to Night Raven College, an academy steeped in Dark Magic.
- The elite school plays host to seven houses, each named after a classic Disney Villain, including Hades, whose house we're definitely here for.
- The trailer for this anime, crafted by studio Yumeta Company and Graphinica, showcases a twisted blend of villainous teens and iconic Disney baddies, promising Dark Academia aesthetic perfection.
- Take a peek at the Game's captivating theme song in the trailer below, and get ready for a thrilling ride this October on Disney+.
- For more updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, Doctor Who, and all things entertainment, follow io9's latest news and reports.
