The Eminence in Shadow

What happens when a teenager obsessed with becoming a shadowy mastermind actually creates a real secret society? That is the premise of The Eminence in Shadow, a Japanese light novel series written by Daisuke Aizawa with illustrations by Tōzai. The story follows Cid Kagenou, a young man who spends his days training in secret and pretending to be an ordinary student. His elaborate fantasies of fighting a hidden cult come true when he discovers his fabricated organization, Shadow Garden, has become real, complete with members who believe his lies. The series launched online in May 2018 on the user-generated novel platform Shōsetsuka ni Narō before Enterbrain picked it up for print publication starting November 2018. Yen Press handles the English release for both the light novels and the manga adaptation.

A manga adaptation by Anri Sakano began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine in December 2018. Two spin-off mangas have followed: Shadow Gaiden by Seta U ran from July 2019 to September 2023, and Master of Garden: Shichikage Retsuden by Kanco started in May 2024 via Comic Walker. The franchise expanded into anime with a first season by studio Nexus airing from October 2022 to February 2023, followed by a second season from October to December 2023. A feature film titled The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes is scheduled for release in 2027.[edit]