While Sword Art Online already has a cult following since 2012, the creator’s new anime is still gaining a foothold in the industry after its debut earlier this month. The Fall 2026 anime season has been incredible so far with the return of The Apothecary Diaries and Black Clover, along with some exciting debut shows like Firefly Wedding and Overgeared. However, this surprising new debut is easily the most exciting show of the season, and it also helps that Sword Art Online fans are being drawn to the series. Written by Reki Kawahara, Devil’s Crest made its debut on Prime Video on November 6th, 2026, and it had one of the best premieres of the year.
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While most of the Fall 2026 anime made their debut in October, Devil’s Crest had a late start, but the anime is already grabbing attention thanks to its captivating plot. The light novel is still ongoing, but whether the anime will continue releasing new seasons depends on a number of factors, including popularity and the studio’s budget. However, while the most popular anime by Kawahara is somewhat of a modern classic, Devil’s Crest has the potential to be even greater, especially considering that the first two episodes introduced fans to the main characters, the unique premise, and the expansive world-building.
Devil’s Crest Can Be Considered Better Than Sword Art Online With a Better First Impression
If you are familiar with Kawahara’s world-building in Sword Art Online, Devils’ Crest will seem even more familiar. The story centers around a group of middle school students who agree to test out a new virtual reality game. However, it doesn’t take long for them to find themselves suddenly trapped within it. However, instead of the main characters being stuck in a video game world, this time around it’s almost as if the game world has somehow blended into the real world. The story has a much darker tone and themes than Sword Art Online, as the first two episodes featured some bloody and gruesome moments already.
Rather than focusing on a sci-fi adventure in an isekai world, this story is based on an urban survival setup leaning more into the horror genre. This is how the anime introduces a much more unique concept compared to Sword Art Online, where the characters in the first major arc were physically trapped inside a virtual reality MMORPG and could not log out. Devil’s Crest blurs the boundary between reality and game as familiar locations turn into hazardous zones where anything can go wrong. This not only gives a much darker impression but also adds to the thrill to the story.
How are you liking Devils’ Crest so far, and would you be keeping up with the weekly episodes? Let us know all of your thoughts about it in the comments!
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