Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden has tapped popular VTuber Tsunomaki Watame to perform its opening theme song, titled "Respawn!!" The announcement arrived alongside a new "situation visual" for the series, building anticipation for its upcoming Fall 2026 broadcast. The anime is scheduled to debut on October 6, with a simultaneous streaming release on HIDIVE.
Directed by Motoki Nakanishi, who previously helmed Love Is Indivisible by Twins, the production is being handled by KONAMI animation. The series follows the unique premise of a legendary, undefeated hero whose soul is transplanted into the frail body of a dying girl named Nia Liston. The show features Honoka Inoue in the lead role, supported by a cast that includes Fūka Izumi, Rina Honnizumi, and Rina Hidaka.
This adaptation draws from Umikaze Minamino’s light novel series, which first gained traction on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website before being picked up for print by Hobby Japan. With 11 volumes currently in circulation, the franchise has also spawned a successful manga adaptation via Square Enix. As the production team—which includes series scriptwriter Gigaemon Ichikawa and composer Naoki Endō—prepares for the October premiere, the show stands as a key addition to the season's fantasy lineup.
