The upcoming anime adaptation of the popular light novel and manga series The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System is officially set to arrive in 2026. The production team behind the fantasy series has revealed the main cast members, key staff, and a second teaser trailer that gives viewers their first taste of the story and character voices.
Based on the original web novel by Nekoko that took the number one spot in the annual rankings on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō platform, this isekai fantasy follows a young noble who turns a supposed curse into his greatest strength. The anime brings together a talented cast and the renowned animation studio GoHands to bring this underdog story to the screen .
The Story Behind the Series
The story centers on Elma Edvan, a 15-year-old from a prestigious family of Sword Saints. During the Divine Blessing Ceremony, Elma manifests the Heavy Knight class, which everyone in his world considers a defective and worthless profession. His own father calls him a good-for-nothing and strips him of his position as the next head of the Edvan household. Elma gets exiled from his family and loses everything he once had .
But Elma carries a secret that changes everything. He soon regains memories from his previous life and realizes this world is exactly like a game he used to play. The Heavy Knight class that everyone mocks? In the game, it was actually the strongest class available. Using his detailed game knowledge, Elma sets out on a new path as an adventurer. He begins to show everyone that the so-called defective class can defeat stronger opponents through strategy and smart gameplay .
The story combines action with strategic thinking as Elma builds his strength and proves the entire kingdom wrong about the Heavy Knight class. Along the way, he meets new companions who help him on his journey.
Main Cast Announced
The anime will feature three lead voice actors bringing the main characters to life. Takeo Ōtsuka voices Elma Edvan, the exiled noble who uses his past life memories to become stronger. Ōtsuka is known for his roles as Aqua Hoshino in Oshi no Ko and Jinshi in The Apothecary Diaries. He shared his excitement about joining the project.
“Have you seen the teaser PV? I’m thrilled to be part of such a beautifully crafted anime. Every detail has been meticulously designed, and I’m giving my all to bring Elma to life. Get ready for the epic journey of the Heavy Knight and the Trickster” .
Shion Wakayama takes on the role of Luce Rubis, a cheerful trickster who joins Elma’s party. Wakayama has gained popularity for her performances as Momo Ayase in Dandadan and Takina Inoue in Lycoris Recoil. She described her character as bubbly and slightly overconfident, but someone who grows throughout the story.
“Luce is a bubbly and slightly overconfident girl. I poured my heart and energy into her voice to capture her personality. At first, she lacks confidence, but thanks to Elma, she grows stronger. Look forward to her evolution” .
Natsuko Abe voices Maris Edvan, the noblewoman who awakens as a Sword Saint and becomes the heir to the House of Edvan. Abe has voiced characters in Tower of God and Momentary Lily. She shared her thoughts on playing this ambitious character.
“I’m honored to portray Maris, a fierce and ambitious character. This story is packed with vibrant characters and exhilarating action scenes—don’t miss it” .
Production Team and Animation Studio
The anime comes from GoHands, the animation studio known for projects like The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today and Momentary Lily. The production team brings together experienced directors and animators who have worked on numerous popular series .
Shingo Suzuki serves as the general director, with Katsumasa Yokomine directing. Yokomine previously directed The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today and Momentary Lily. Tetsuichi Yamagishi takes on the role of chief director, bringing his experience from Cowboy Bebop: The Movie where he worked on key animation .
Takayuki Uchida handles character design and also serves as one of the chief animation directors. Uchida has worked on The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses and The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today. Joining him as chief animation directors are Keiji Tani and Makoto Furuta, both of whom worked on Momentary Lily .
The music for the series comes from composer Ludvig Forssell, known for his work on the film BELLE. Sound production falls to Glovision, with Enji Nakajima and Tetsuya Gunji serving as sound directors .
Second Teaser Trailer Revealed
Along with the cast announcement, the production team released the second teaser promotional video. The trailer shows Elma’s tragic beginning as he gets cast out from the House of Edvan after awakening as a Heavy Knight. The footage also gives fans their first chance to hear the main characters speak, with voice performances from Ōtsuka, Wakayama, and Abe .
The teaser highlights the animation quality from GoHands, with detailed character designs and action sequences that hint at the battles to come. The visual style matches the fantasy setting while keeping the action clear and engaging .
Source Material and Popularity
The story began as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in April 2021. It gained enough popularity that Kodansha picked it up for print publication under their Kodansha Ranobe Books imprint. The light novel version, illustrated by Jaian, has released multiple volumes with the fourth volume arriving in December 2025 .
A manga adaptation illustrated by Lee Brocco started in February 2022 on the YanMaga Web platform. The manga later moved to Weekly Young Magazine in September 2024. The series has collected its chapters into multiple tankōbon volumes, with the 16th volume scheduled for January 2026 .
Kodansha publishes the official English version of the manga through its K MANGA service, making the story accessible to international readers. The series has built a strong following, with over 2 million copies in circulation across all formats by September 2024 .
What Viewers Can Expect
The anime adapts a story that combines familiar isekai elements with a clever twist. Instead of arriving with a cheat skill or overpowered ability, Elma starts with what everyone sees as a weakness. His real power comes from understanding the game mechanics and using strategy to overcome stronger opponents .
The Heavy Knight class in this world has unbalanced stats and skills that most people consider useless. People even say this class attracts cowardly and lazy individuals. But Elma knows the truth from his gaming experience. The Heavy Knight becomes incredibly powerful when used correctly, and he sets out to prove that to everyone who cast him out .
The story follows Elma as he builds his strength, forms a party with Luce and other adventurers, and takes on challenges that should be impossible for someone with his class. His game knowledge gives him an edge, letting him complete quests efficiently and defeat enemies through smart tactics rather than raw power alone.
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Licensing and Distribution
Muse Asia announced in late November 2025 that it has licensed the anime for distribution across Asia. The company handles anime licensing for multiple territories and will bring the series to viewers throughout the region when it premieres in 2026 .
For international audiences, distribution plans beyond Asia are still taking shape. The involvement of Kodansha, which publishes the English manga through K MANGA, suggests the series will reach global viewers through various streaming platforms, though specific services have not been confirmed yet.
The anime is scheduled to broadcast in Japan in 2026, with the exact premiere month still to be announced. Fans in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions will likely be able to watch through major anime streaming services once international licensing deals are finalized.
Characters and Their Roles
The series features a growing cast of characters who join Elma on his journey. Luce Rubis brings a cheerful energy to the party as a trickster class character. Her luck stat runs exceptionally high, meaning she gets rare drops from defeated monsters. This makes her valuable to any party, even if she starts out lacking confidence in her abilities .
Maris Edvan serves as a foil to Elma within the family structure. She awakens as a Sword Saint, the prestigious class Elma’s family wanted, and takes his place as heir. Her feelings toward Elma run complicated, creating family drama that carries through the story.
Other characters include Kelt, a hunter who joins the party, and Mearbell, a priest with a sly personality. The story also introduces nobles from other houses, adventurers from various guilds, and antagonists who threaten the kingdom .
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