The Eminence in Shadow — Season 1
Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a final boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind...or at least, do the next
About this season
Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a final boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind...or at least, do the next best thing-pretend to be one! And now that he's been reborn into another world, he's ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the real deal-and everyone knows the truth but him!
Episodes (20)
1. The Hated Classmate
6.5Aired 5 October 2022 • 24 min
Akane copes with her trauma by being popular and working hard to make people like her, but one boy in her class doesn’t care about her at all. That bothers her to no end.
2. Shadow Garden Is Born
6.1Aired 12 October 2022 • 24 min
Reincarnated as the son of Baron Kagenou, Cid bides his time as Background Character A while preparing for the day he can finally become the Eminence in Shadow!
3. Fencer Ordinaire
7.2Aired 19 October 2022 • 24 min
The princess is supposed to reject the background character’s confession, not accept it — since when did Cid become a rom-com protagonist?
4. Sadism's Rewards
7.0Aired 26 October 2022 • 24 min
The mistake those with power always make is believing that they are the ones in control.
5. I Am...
7.6Aired 2 November 2022 • 24 min
Cid is not facing a minion but a would-be Knight of the Rounds. Normally, that is cause for concern, but an atomic bomb has no reason to fear the gnashing of a lowly pest.
6. Pretenders
6.8Aired 9 November 2022 • 24 min
While Iris seeks a bright mind to study an artifact, Cid visits a popular store. Meanwhile, in the dark corners of the city, someone commits murders in Shadow Garden’s name!
7. A Fencing Tournament of Intrigue and Bloodshed
7.0Aired 16 November 2022 • 24 min
Cid gets a report from Nu about powerful cult members lurking in the Royal Capital. Too bad he’s too distracted about the upcoming fencing tournament to notice.
8. Dark Knight Academy Under Attack
7.1Aired 23 November 2022 • 24 min
Cid sacrificed his life to save Rose. At least, that’s what everyone thinks. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Cid survived exactly as planned, and now his counterattack can begin.
9. The End of a Lie
7.4Aired 30 November 2022 • 24 min
When the students fight back, Shadow Garden joins the fray as their reinforcements. Amidst the chaos, Cid confronts the Gaunt Knight.
10. The Sacred Land, City of Deception
6.5Aired 7 December 2022 • 24 min
Cid heads to Lindwurm in response to a summons from Alpha, but he is not the only one traveling there; the annual Goddess’ Trial is quickly approaching.
11. The Goddess' Trial
7.5Aired 14 December 2022 • 24 min
The curtain rises on the Goddess’ Trial. When Cid is unwittingly called into the arena, he transforms into Shadow and faces none other than Aurora, the Witch of Calamity.
12. The Truth Within the Memories
7.3Aired 21 December 2022 • 24 min
The door to the Sanctuary opens and Alpha strides through it, intending to expose the Cult’s grave secrets. Meanwhile, Cid also enters the Sanctuary and reunites with… Aurora?
13. A Bloody Showdown as an Offering to Annihilation
7.2Aired 28 December 2022 • 24 min
Alpha faces off against an empowered Nelson in a vicious battle. Elsewhere, Cid and Aurora reach the Sanctuary's core, but a door only a hero can open blocks their path.
14. Your Lie, Your Wish
6.0Aired 4 January 2023 • 24 min
Cid’s victory is short-lived when Nelson counters with his new magic. Meanwhile, Alexia convinces Rose and Natsume to form an alliance to uncover the truth of their world.
15. The Strongest Weakest Man
6.8Aired 11 January 2023 • 24 min
Only the strongest warriors can advance in the prestigious Bushin Festival, but one contestant proves himself a feeble and mundane man with no talent. Why is he competing?
16. Unseen Intentions
7.1Aired 18 January 2023 • 24 min
Princess Rose flees to the north of the Royal Capital. The Oriana Kingdom wants to handle it internally as a “purely domestic” matter.
17. Moonlight That Pierces the Darkness
6.9Aired 25 January 2023 • 24 min
Cid recollects piano lessons from his past life — what impact does this have on his present? Meanwhile, Epsilon’s performance sets the soundtrack for something else...
18. Betting on a Moment
7.5Aired 1 February 2023 • 24 min
Cid and Claire receive an invitation to a tournament. At the festivities, Cid receives more attention than a background character desires.
19. Dancing Puppet
7.7Aired 8 February 2023 • 24 min
Doem tries to make war with Midgar. Meanwhile, the match between Jimina and Iris begins.
20. Advent of the Demon
7.8Aired 15 February 2023 • 24 min
Provoked by the fight between Shadow and Beatrix, Iris joins the fray. An intense battle progresses across the Royal Capital. Meanwhile, Rose runs into Alpha...