Light novel
The series is written by Daisuke Aizawa and illustrated by Tōzai. It began serialization online in May 2018 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was acquired by Enterbrain in November 2018, who have published seven volumes. Yen Press licensed the series for English publication.[3]
Manga
A manga adaptation with art by Anri Sakano began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's manga magazine Comp Ace on December 26, 2018.[17] It has been collected in 17 volumes. Yen Press also licensed the manga adaptation.[18]
Spin-offs
A spin-off manga by Seta U, titled Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! Shadow Gaiden (陰の実力者になりたくて！ しゃどーがいでん), was also serialized via Comp Ace from July 26, 2019,[52] to September 26, 2023.[53] It has been collected in six volumes.
A second spin-off manga by Kanco, titled Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! Master of Garden: Shichikage Retsuden (陰の実力者になりたくて！マスターオブガーデン～七陰列伝～), began serialization on May 28, 2024, via Kadokawa Shoten's "Comic Walker" website.[60] The manga serves as an adaptation of The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden video game.[61] The manga's chapters have been collected in three volumes.
Spin-offs
A spin-off manga by Seta U, titled Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! Shadow Gaiden (陰の実力者になりたくて！ しゃどーがいでん), was also serialized via Comp Ace from July 26, 2019,[52] to September 26, 2023.[53] It has been collected in six volumes.
A second spin-off manga by Kanco, titled Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! Master of Garden: Shichikage Retsuden (陰の実力者になりたくて！マスターオブガーデン～七陰列伝～), began serialization on May 28, 2024, via Kadokawa Shoten's "Comic Walker" website.[60] The manga serves as an adaptation of The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden video game.[61] The manga's chapters have been collected in three volumes.
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on the fourth volume of the light novel on February 26, 2021.[65] The series is produced by Nexus and directed by Kazuya Nakanishi, with scripts written by Kanichi Katou, character designs by Makoto Iino, and music composed by Kenichiro Suehiro.[66] It aired from October 5, 2022, to February 15, 2023, on AT-X and other networks.[67][68] The opening theme is "Highest" by OxT,[69] while the ending theme is "Darling in the Night" by Asami Seto, Inori Minase, Suzuko Mimori, Fairouz Ai, Hisako Kanemoto,
Film
An anime film, titled The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes (劇場版 陰の実力者になりたくて！残響編), was announced in December 2023.[76] It is set to open in Japanese theaters in 2027.[77]
English release and international distribution
Sentai Filmworks licensed the series for a North American release,[78] streaming it on Hidive.[79]
Video game
A role-playing mobile game developed by Aiming, titled The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden (陰の実力者になりたくて！マスターオブガーデン), was released for Android, iOS, and Windows on November 29, 2022.[80][81] Crunchyroll Games launched the game worldwide on Android and iOS on the same day.[82] The Windows version launched worldwide on May 25, 2023, with support for cross-platform play and progression.[83]
