Scum of the Brave Anime Brings in Veteran Voice Actors for April Return
Heavy-hitters Tomokazu Sugita and Ayumu Murase join the cyberpunk action series as it enters its second quarter.
The hit sci-fi action series Scum of the Brave (Yūsha no Kuzu) returns for its second quarter on April 11, streaming directly on Crunchyroll and Hulu. A newly released promotional video confirmed the series will continue without a broadcast break, adding heavy-hitting voice actors Tomokazu Sugita and Ayumu Murase to the roster. The new episodes will also feature a fresh soundtrack, with pop trio ClariS and rock band w.o.d. taking over the opening and ending themes.
If you are just catching up on the winter anime season, Scum of the Brave has quietly become a standout hit. Blending organized crime, cyberpunk body modification, and a cynical take on the traditional “hero” trope, it offers a gritty alternative to standard fantasy shows.
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Below is everything you need to know about the new cast, the upcoming storyline, and why this alternate-reality thriller deserves a spot in your weekly streaming queue.
New Cast Additions (Heavy Hitters Join the Roster)
The third main promotional video for the series gave fans their first look at the new threats and allies Yashiro will face in the second cour.
The producers have brought in two of the anime industry’s most recognizable voices to anchor the next story arc.
- Tomokazu Sugita as Father Ayashima: Sugita steps into the role of a constantly smiling, perhaps suspiciously so, Hero who runs the Hero Hot Springs. US audiences will easily recognize Sugita’s deep, deadpan delivery from iconic roles like Gintoki in Gintama and Joseph Joestar in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Given his track record, expect Father Ayashima to hide a dangerous edge beneath his overly cheerful exterior.
- Ayumu Murase as Lord Hazeru Seito: Murase voices one of the three notorious Demon Lords who have fractured the island of Hokkaido into three warring territories. Best known for voicing the energetic Hinata in Haikyu!!, Murase often takes on darker, more sinister roles to showcase his incredible vocal range. A Demon Lord holding a third of Hokkaido guarantees a massive, high-stakes showdown.
Note: Watch closely for the tonal shift at the 1:05 mark. The animation style for the Hokkaido territories introduces a much darker, war-torn aesthetic, signaling a massive departure from the neon-soaked cityscapes of the first cour.
Fresh Theme Songs from ClariS and w.o.d.
A mid-season anime update usually means a change in the soundtrack, and the music producers at OLM have secured top-tier talent for the upcoming episodes.
- New Opening Theme (“Revive”): Performed by the legendary pop trio ClariS. Known for providing iconic tracks for massive franchises like Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Lycoris Recoil, their upbeat, synth-heavy style perfectly matches the neon-lit, 21st-century setting of the show.
- New Ending Theme (“Non-Fiction”): Performed by the rising rock band w.o.d. They recently gained massive international attention for their work on Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Their grungy, alternative rock sound is a natural fit for the underground mafia aesthetic of Scum of the Brave.
The Story So Far (Why Scum of the Brave Stands Out)
For the everyday viewer burnt out on traditional superhero movies and standard fantasy anime, Scum of the Brave offers a refreshing palate cleanser.
It completely flips the classic “Heroes vs. Demon Kings” formula on its head.
The Lore (Mafia Bosses and Body Modification)
The story takes place in an alternate 21st century.
There is no magic here; instead, the world is ruled by money and science.
Wealthy mafia executives use an illegal, highly dangerous procedure known as ether-enhancement surgery to turn themselves into super-powered crime bosses.
The media dubs these heavily modified mobsters “Demon Kings.”
The “Braves” (Glorified Bounty Hunters)
To combat these enhanced criminals, the government relies on “Braves.” But these aren’t your typical knights in shining armor.
The Braves are essentially heavily armed bounty hunters who take down mafia bosses strictly for the massive payouts.
It shares the same cynical, corporate-driven DNA as Western hits like The Boys or the cyberpunk aesthetic of Blade Runner.
The Protagonist (A Reluctant Mentor)
At the center of the story is Yashiro, an immensely talented but hopelessly lazy bounty hunter.
Yashiro has zero interest in saving the world. His ultimate goals include eating pizza, drinking cold beer, and playing card games.
But his quiet life is upended when three rookie Braves offer him a massive sum of cash to act as their private tutor.
Yashiro accepts purely for the payday, dragging himself into a massive criminal conspiracy that leads straight to the Demon Lords of Hokkaido.
Meet the Returning Cast and Crew
The show’s success is largely due to its massive ensemble cast and the veteran production team working behind the scenes.
The Core Voice Cast
The main squad from the first cour will return to continue their assault on the ether-enhanced mafia.
The Japanese voice cast includes:
| Character | Voice Actor | Notable Previous Roles | Role in the Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinigami Yashiro | Ryōta Suzuki | Kaguya-sama (Yu Ishigami) | A lazy, pizza-loving bounty hunter and reluctant mentor. |
| Father Ayashima | Tomokazu Sugita | Gintama (Gintoki) | [NEW] The overly cheerful owner of the Hero Hot Springs. |
| Lord Hazeru Seito | Ayumu Murase | Haikyu!! (Hinata Shoyo) | [NEW] One of the three ruthless Demon Lords of Hokkaido. |
| Aki Jogamine | Akari Kitō | Demon Slayer (Nezuko) | A young, wealthy rookie Brave who hires Yashiro. |
| Sara Kashiwagi | Yumiri Hanamori | Hell’s Paradise (Sagiri) | A highly skilled, serious Brave working alongside Aki. |
| Yukine Indō | Momo Harumi | The Misfit of Demon King Academy | The third member of the rookie Brave trio. |
| Arthur Pendragon | Katsuyuki Konishi | Gurren Lagann (Kamina) | A legendary, veteran Brave with massive industry influence. |
| Lord Wedge | Yūichirō Umehara | Goblin Slayer (Title Role) | Known as the “Wedge of Both Hands,” a high-ranking threat. |
| Salt Joe | Hinata Tadokoro | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | A key supporting Brave who adds muscle to the team. |
| Ongakuya Ishinō | Daisuke Hirakawa | JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Kakyoin) | A mysterious figure involved in the underground bounty scene. |
| Moguri no Maruta | Yasuhiro Takato | One Piece (Buffalo) | An eccentric contact within the ether-enhancement world. |
The Creative Team Behind the Action
The animation is handled by Studio OLM, a powerhouse studio historically known for Pokémon, but recently celebrated for diverse, high-quality hits like Odd Taxi and Komi Can’t Communicate.
- Director: Shinji Ushiro leads the project, ensuring the fast-paced gunfights and cyberpunk visuals hit hard.
- Series Composition: Yoichi Kato oversees the scriptwriting, keeping the complex mafia politics easy to follow.
- Character Design: Rika Murakami translates the original gritty manga artwork into fluid animation.
- Music: Kenichiro Suehiro. This is a massive win for the series. Suehiro is the composer behind Re:Zero and Golden Kamuy. His cinematic, tension-building tracks give the show a premium, blockbuster feel.
Additional key staff members include Naoto Kondō (Color Key), Kazuhiro Inoue (Art Director), Tsunetaka Ema (Compositing Director of Photography), Naoki Watanabe (Editing), and Takahiro Enomoto (Sound Director).
From Web Novel to Manga to Screen
Scum of the Brave has had a long, successful journey to television. The original concept was created by writer Rocket Shokai, who also penned the popular Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004.
Shokai first published the story on the self-publishing website Kakuyomu in February 2016.
Thanks to its unique premise, it was quickly picked up for a manga adaptation by artist Nakashima723.
The manga launched in 2018 on LEED Publishing’s Comic Border service and is currently going strong, with its eighth collected volume shipping late last year.
Tip for English Readers: If you want to read ahead of the anime, the manga is officially published in English digitally by Manga Planet. Furthermore, the original web novel is currently being revised and republished as a light novel featuring brand-new illustrations by the renowned artist toi8.
Where to Stream Scum of the Brave
The anime originally premiered on January 10 on NTV in Japan.
Because the studio committed to a continuous two-cour run (meaning it airs for six months straight without taking a season off), fans do not have to wait for a “Season 2” to get a resolution to the current arc.
- For US Audiences: The series is simulcast weekly on Crunchyroll. New episodes typically feature English subtitles on the same day they air in Japan.
- Alternative Streaming: The show is also available on Hulu, making it highly accessible for general audiences who may not have dedicated anime streaming subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does Scum of the Brave Cour 2 start?
The second half of the anime officially begins broadcasting on April 11. It continues directly from the events of the winter season without any hiatus.
Is Scum of the Brave an Isekai?
No. While it features terms like “Demon Kings” and “Braves,” the show is not an isekai (another world) story. It is an alternate history, sci-fi thriller set in the 21st century where the “magic” is actually illegal cyberpunk body modification.
Where can I watch Scum of the Brave in the US?
The series is currently streaming on both Crunchyroll and Hulu. Episodes are released weekly as they air in Japan.
Who sings the opening song for Scum of the Brave Part 2?
The famous Japanese pop trio ClariS performs the new opening theme song, titled “Revive.” The ending theme, “Non-Fiction,” is performed by the rock band w.o.d.
Where can I read the Scum of the Brave manga?
English readers can find the officially translated digital manga through Manga Planet. The original story is written by Rocket Shokai with artwork by Nakashima723.
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