Chained Soldier
Chained Soldier (魔都精兵のスレイブ, Mato Seihei no Sureibu), known in English as Chained Soldier, is a Japanese manga series written by Takahiro and illustrated by Yohei Takemura.[1] It has been serialized in Shueisha's digital magazine Shōnen Jump+ since January 5, 2019.[2] The story is set in a world where mysterious gates called "Mato" have opened across Japan, leading to a demonic dimension inhabited by man-eating monsters known as Shuuki.[1] Women who consume special "peaches" from Mato gain superhuman abilities and form the Demon Defense Force (DDF) to combat the threats, while men are unable to access these powers. The narrative centers on Yuuki Wakura, an ordinary high school graduate searching for his missing sister, who accidentally enters a Mato gate and is rescued by Kyouka Uzen, the ambitious commander of the DDF's 7th Unit.[1] In exchange for his life, Yuuki becomes Kyouka's "slave," gaining unique abilities that activate only when he serves her commands, allowing him to assist in battles against the Shuuki and rival forces.[1] This dynamic explores themes of power imbalance, servitude, and combat in a female-dominated society.[3] The manga has been collected into 19 tankōbon volumes as of September 2025,[4] with Yen Press licensing it for English release under the title Chained Soldier starting August 16, 2022.[5] An anime adaptation by Seven Arcs aired from January to March 2024, streaming on HIDIVE and Crunchyroll.[3] A second season, produced by Passione and Hayabusa Film, is scheduled to premiere on January 8, 2026.[6]Story and characters
Plot
In a world altered by the sudden appearance of gates leading to the Mato dimension across Japan, destructive monsters known as Shuuki emerge to threaten humanity. These portals, accompanied by the discovery of mysterious fruits called Peaches, have reshaped society, as the Peaches grant women unique superhuman abilities upon consumption while having no effect on men.[6][7] To counter the Shuuki invasion, the Japanese government formed the all-female Anti-Demon Corps (ADC), known in English as the Demon Defense Force (DDF), a paramilitary organization structured into hierarchical units. Led by powerful female commanders who derive their strength from Peaches, the DDF's squads engage in ongoing battles to seal gates, rescue victims, and protect human territories from the Mato's perils.[7][1] The central narrative follows high school student Yuuki Wakura, who is searching for his missing sister and stumbles into a Mato gate and faces imminent death until rescued by Kyouka Uzen, the captain of the ADC's 7th Unit. In a desperate bid for survival, Kyouka establishes a unique "slave pact" with Yuuki, enabling her to transform him into a customizable weapon during combat in exchange for his unwavering service as her subordinate. This pact allows Yuuki, an ordinary man powerless against the Shuuki, to contribute to the fight while navigating the DDF's rigid, matriarchal hierarchy.[1][7] The story unfolds amid escalating conflicts, including direct confrontations with Shuuki hordes, intricate internal politics and rivalries within the DDF units, and the looming existential threat of the Eight Thunder Gods—eight supremely powerful Shuuki leaders who seek to eradicate humankind and reclaim Mato. Through this framework, the series examines gender dynamics in a female-dominated power structure, the paradoxical empowerment derived from the slave pact's subservient bond, and the broader themes of adaptation and survival in a world divided by dimensional rifts and physiological inequalities.[8][7]Main Characters
Yuuki Wakura is the protagonist of Chained Soldier, a third-year high school student skilled in housework who accidentally enters the Mato dimension and forms a slave pact with Kyouka Uzen, granting him the ability to transform into powerful forms that adapt to the abilities of the women he serves through intimate "recharge" acts.[9] His role as the 7th Unit's sole male slave amplifies the powers of his masters, making him essential to their battles against Shuuki threats.[9] In the anime adaptation, he is voiced by Yūya Hirose.[10] Kyouka Uzen serves as the captain of the 7th Unit in the Anti-Demon Corps, characterized by her strict demeanor and disdain for men stemming from past experiences, wielding a katana with her "Peach Blossom" ability that generates sword beams and enables a transformation into the multi-armed "Invincible Yōma Slayer" form for enhanced combat prowess.[9] As a high-ranking officer, she leads with unyielding discipline, emphasizing loyalty and efficiency in the unit's operations.[9] She is voiced by Akari Kitō in the anime.[10] Himari Azuma acts as the analytical tactician of the 7th Unit, possessing the "21" ability that allows her to shrink herself, allies, or enemies to microscopic sizes for strategic advantages in reconnaissance or combat.[9] Her intelligent and composed personality complements the unit's dynamics, often providing critical insights into Shuuki behaviors.[9] In the anime, Himari is voiced by Yume Miyamoto.[10] Shushu Suruga functions as the vice-captain of the 7th Unit, utilizing her growth manipulation ability to enlarge specific body parts, particularly her breasts, into massive forms for offensive crushing attacks or defensive barriers.[9] Known for her bold and flirtatious nature, she often teases Yuuki while contributing to the team's frontline efforts.[9] Her voice in the anime is provided by Mari Hino.[10] Nei Ōkawa is the 7th Unit's healer, equipped with tentacle-based abilities that facilitate regeneration for wounded comrades and can extend to offensive uses like binding foes.[9] Her cheerful and supportive personality fosters unit morale, though she occasionally displays a mischievous side in interactions with Yuuki.[9] Nei is voiced by Hina Tachibana in the anime adaptation.[10]Supporting Characters
Haruno Kue is a newer member of the 7th Unit, specializing in scythe-based melee combat with abilities that enhance her speed and reach against Shuuki.[11] Her determined and loyal traits integrate her into the team's protective structure.[9] The Anti-Demon Corps is led by Supreme Commander Ren Yamashiro, who oversees the various units, each commanded by a captain with unique powers tailored to their division's role.[9] Other commanders, such as those leading units like the 1st or 8th, possess unique powers tailored to their divisions' specialties.[12] Antagonists include the Eight Thunder Gods, a group of powerful humanoid Shuuki. Allied human antagonists include defectors like the former 7th Unit captain Yumeji Shimomura.[11] Their opposition highlights the ongoing conflict between human forces and evolved Shuuki entities.[9]Group Dynamics
The 7th Unit operates within a matriarchal framework of the Anti-Demon Corps, where female officers hold all leadership positions, and Yuuki's unique status as the only male introduces tensions from gender biases while strengthening bonds through shared pacts and battles.[9] Interpersonal relationships feature loyalties tempered by Kyouka's strict oversight, Himari's strategic counsel, and lighter moments from Shushu and Nei's personalities, all centered on combating Shuuki without delving into specific events.[9] This structure underscores Yuuki's adaptive role in amplifying unit capabilities via slave pacts.[9]Media
Manga
Chained Soldier, known in Japan as Mato Seihei no Slave, is a Japanese manga series written by Takahiro, best known for creating Akame ga Kill!, and illustrated by Yohei Takemura. The series began serialization in Shueisha's digital platform Shōnen Jump+ on January 5, 2019, and is ongoing as of November 2025, with new chapters released bi-weekly.[1] Its rising popularity culminated in an anime adaptation that aired in 2024.[6] Shueisha has collected the chapters into tankōbon volumes, with the first released on March 4, 2019, and the nineteenth on September 4, 2025. The English-language version is published by Yen Press, which began releasing volumes on August 16, 2022, and had reached the twelfth volume by September 9, 2025. Below is a table of the Japanese volume release details:| Volume | Release Date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 4, 2019 | 978-4088817866 |
| 2 | July 4, 2019 | 978-4088818962 |
| 3 | November 1, 2019 | 978-4088821139 |
| 4 | March 4, 2020 | 978-4088823645 |
| 5 | July 3, 2020 | 978-4088825496 |
| 6 | November 4, 2020 | 978-4088827070 |
| 7 | April 2, 2021 | 978-4088828824 |
| 8 | August 4, 2021 | 978-4088830469 |
| 9 | December 3, 2021 | 978-4088831961 |
| 10 | May 2, 2022 | 978-4088833736 |
| 11 | September 2, 2022 | 978-4088835494 |
| 12 | January 4, 2023 | 978-4088837078 |
| 13 | June 2, 2023 | 978-4088838839 |
| 14 | October 4, 2023 | 978-4088840573 |
| 15 | February 2, 2024 | 978-4088842232 |
| 16 | July 4, 2024 | 978-4088844076 |
| 17 | December 4, 2024 | 978-4088842578 |
| 18 | April 4, 2025 | 978-4088844664 |
| 19 | September 4, 2025 | 978-4088846224 |
Anime
An anime television series adaptation of Chained Soldier was animated by Seven Arcs and broadcast from January 4 to March 21, 2024, comprising 12 episodes that adapt the manga's introductory arcs involving Yuuki Wakura's entry into the Demon Defense Force.[10] The production faithfully follows the source material's plot and character dynamics from volumes 1 through 4, with minor pacing adjustments to fit the episodic format and enhance action sequences for visual impact.[19] The series was chiefly directed by Junji Nishimura, with Gorō Kuji serving as director; Yasuhiro Nakanishi handled series composition, Hiroyuki Yoshii designed the characters, and Kohta Yamamoto composed the music. Key voice actors include Yuuya Hirose as Yuuki Wakura and Akari Kitō as Kyouka Uzen.[20]| Episode | Title | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birth, Yuuki, Awakening | January 4, 2024 |
| 2 | Curiosity, Shushu, Undress | January 11, 2024 |
| 3 | Encounter, Kyouka, Rampage | January 18, 2024 |
| 4 | Whirlwind, Himari, Roar | January 25, 2024 |
| 5 | Sisters, Nei, Tenacity | February 1, 2024 |
| 6 | Decisive Battle, Kyouka, Shushu | February 8, 2024 |
| 7 | Awakening, Yuuki, Power | February 15, 2024 |
| 8 | Fist, Yachiho, Determination | February 22, 2024 |
| 9 | Shame, Yuuki, Master | February 29, 2024 |
| 10 | Evil, Koko, Zenji | March 7, 2024 |
| 11 | Proof, Kyouka, Yuuki | March 14, 2024 |
| 12 | Homecoming, New, Resolve | March 21, 2024 |