The Eminence in Shadow — Season 1
20 episodesFirst aired 5 October 2022
Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a final boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind...or at least, do the next best thing-pretend to be one! And now that he's been reborn into another world, he's ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the real deal-and everyone knows the truth but him!
E1The Hated Classmate
6.5Oct 202224m
Akane copes with her trauma by being popular and working hard to make people like her, but one boy in her class doesn’t care about her at all. That bothers her to no end.
E2Shadow Garden Is Born
6.3Oct 202224m
Reincarnated as the son of Baron Kagenou, Cid bides his time as Background Character A while preparing for the day he can finally become the Eminence in Shadow!
E3Fencer Ordinaire
7.1Oct 202224m
The princess is supposed to reject the background character’s confession, not accept it — since when did Cid become a rom-com protagonist?
E4Sadism's Rewards
6.9Oct 202224m
The mistake those with power always make is believing that they are the ones in control.
E5I Am...
7.7Nov 202224m
Cid is not facing a minion but a would-be Knight of the Rounds. Normally, that is cause for concern, but an atomic bomb has no reason to fear the gnashing of a lowly pest.
E6Pretenders
6.8Nov 202224m
While Iris seeks a bright mind to study an artifact, Cid visits a popular store. Meanwhile, in the dark corners of the city, someone commits murders in Shadow Garden’s name!
E7A Fencing Tournament of Intrigue and Bloodshed
7.0Nov 202224m
Cid gets a report from Nu about powerful cult members lurking in the Royal Capital. Too bad he’s too distracted about the upcoming fencing tournament to notice.
E8Dark Knight Academy Under Attack
7.1Nov 202224m
Cid sacrificed his life to save Rose. At least, that’s what everyone thinks. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Cid survived exactly as planned, and now his counterattack can begin.
E9The End of a Lie
7.4Nov 202224m
When the students fight back, Shadow Garden joins the fray as their reinforcements. Amidst the chaos, Cid confronts the Gaunt Knight.
E10The Sacred Land, City of Deception
6.5Dec 202224m
Cid heads to Lindwurm in response to a summons from Alpha, but he is not the only one traveling there; the annual Goddess’ Trial is quickly approaching.
E11The Goddess' Trial
7.5Dec 202224m
The curtain rises on the Goddess’ Trial. When Cid is unwittingly called into the arena, he transforms into Shadow and faces none other than Aurora, the Witch of Calamity.
E12The Truth Within the Memories
7.3Dec 202224m
The door to the Sanctuary opens and Alpha strides through it, intending to expose the Cult’s grave secrets. Meanwhile, Cid also enters the Sanctuary and reunites with… Aurora?
E13A Bloody Showdown as an Offering to Annihilation
7.4Dec 202224m
Alpha faces off against an empowered Nelson in a vicious battle. Elsewhere, Cid and Aurora reach the Sanctuary's core, but a door only a hero can open blocks their path.
E14Your Lie, Your Wish
6.2Jan 202324m
Cid’s victory is short-lived when Nelson counters with his new magic. Meanwhile, Alexia convinces Rose and Natsume to form an alliance to uncover the truth of their world.
E15The Strongest Weakest Man
6.7Jan 202324m
Only the strongest warriors can advance in the prestigious Bushin Festival, but one contestant proves himself a feeble and mundane man with no talent. Why is he competing?
E16Unseen Intentions
7.0Jan 202324m
Princess Rose flees to the north of the Royal Capital. The Oriana Kingdom wants to handle it internally as a “purely domestic” matter.
E17Moonlight That Pierces the Darkness
7.0Jan 202324m
Cid recollects piano lessons from his past life — what impact does this have on his present? Meanwhile, Epsilon’s performance sets the soundtrack for something else...
E18Betting on a Moment
7.4Feb 202324m
Cid and Claire receive an invitation to a tournament. At the festivities, Cid receives more attention than a background character desires.
E19Dancing Puppet
7.8Feb 202324m
Doem tries to make war with Midgar. Meanwhile, the match between Jimina and Iris begins.
E20Advent of the Demon
8.0Feb 202324m
Provoked by the fight between Shadow and Beatrix, Iris joins the fray. An intense battle progresses across the Royal Capital. Meanwhile, Rose runs into Alpha...