The psychological thriller anime Liar Game continues its intense two-cour run with Episode 18 arriving in the first week of August 2026. Produced by Studio MADHOUSE, the series has kept viewers hooked with its high-stakes battles of deception and mind games. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming episode, including the release date, where to watch it, and what has happened so far in the story.
Episode 18 Release Date and Time
Liar Game Episode 18 is scheduled to release on Monday, August 3, 2026. Some sources list the date as August 4, 2026, which may be due to time zone differences. New episodes drop at 9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT.
For viewers around the world, here are the corresponding release times:
- United States (Pacific): Monday, 9:00 AM
- United States (Eastern): Monday, 12:00 PM
- Canada: Monday, 12:00 PM (Eastern)
- United Kingdom: Monday, 5:00 PM BST
- Europe (Central): Monday, 6:00 PM CEST
- India: Monday, 9:30 PM IST
- Australia (Eastern): Tuesday, 2:00 AM AEST
- Japan (TV Tokyo): Tuesday, 12:00 AM JST
Where to Watch Liar Game Episode 18
Crunchyroll is the primary streaming platform for Liar Game worldwide. The series streams on Crunchyroll in all regions except Japan and China. In Japan, the show airs on TV Tokyo. Russian viewers can watch on AMEDIATEKA.
The anime has a total of 24 episodes and runs for two consecutive cours without breaks. Each episode runs for about 24 minutes.
What Happened Before Episode 17
Episode 17, which aired on July 27, 2026, continued the intense psychological battles that define the series. The story follows Nao Kanzaki, a college student who is thrust into the Liar Game after receiving a mysterious suitcase containing 100 million yen and an invitation.
Nao teams up with Shinichi Akiyama, a former con artist, to navigate the twisted competition where lies and deception rule. The anime is based on the manga by Shinobu Kaitani, which ran from 2005 to 2015.
The Story So Far
The series follows Nao Kanzaki, a young woman known for her honest nature, who suddenly finds herself caught in a dangerous game. She receives a letter and a suitcase full of cash, informing her that she has been chosen to participate in the Liar Game. In this competition, players must deceive each other to win money, and the losers face massive debts.
With no way out, Nao turns to Akiyama, a brilliant former con artist who understands the game’s mechanics. Together, they face increasingly complex challenges, including the Minority Rule game, the Contraband Game, and the Revival Round.
The current arc features the Contraband Game, where players on two teams – the Country of Day and the Country of Night – compete by smuggling items past each other. The game has brought intense confrontations between Akiyama and the cunning Yokoya, who has his own strategies.
Episode 17 saw the continuation of this psychological battle, with both sides making moves and countermoves. The upcoming Episode 18 will push the story further into this dangerous competition.
Why You Should Watch Liar Game
Liar Game stands out as one of the most compelling psychological thriller anime of 2026. The series has been praised for its smart writing and tense atmosphere. The manga, which inspired the anime, was cited by Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk as an influence on his work.
Here is why the series is worth your time:
Mind-bending battles of wits. Every episode presents new challenges where characters must outthink and outmaneuver each other. The strategies are clever and the stakes are always high.
Strong character dynamics. The pairing of honest Nao with manipulative Akiyama creates a fascinating contrast. Their relationship evolves as they face increasingly difficult situations.
Top-tier animation studio. Studio MADHOUSE, known for Death Note and One-Punch Man, brings the psychological tension to life with sharp visuals and effective direction.
A complete story. With 24 episodes planned, the anime aims to adapt the entire manga from start to finish. This means viewers can expect a full, satisfying narrative.
Global accessibility. The series is available on Crunchyroll worldwide, making it easy for international audiences to follow along.
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Episode 18 Expectations
As the series moves past its halfway point, Episode 18 is expected to continue the Contraband Game arc. The competition between the Country of Day and Country of Night teams has reached a critical stage. Yokoya has been working to disrupt Akiyama’s plans, creating tension within the Country of Day team.
Viewers can expect more psychological twists, strategic plays, and the kind of edge-of-your-seat suspense that has defined the series so far.
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Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on Liar Game and other anime releases.
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