Clevatess Might Be the Dark Fantasy Sleeper Hit of Summer 2025

Anime fans love a good underdog and not just in their characters. Sometimes a show drops with little fanfare, no massive hype train, no legacy manga or massive studio backing, and it still steals the spotlight. Clevatess is shaping up to be one of those rare animes. Brutal, emotional, and deeply layered, this dark fantasy anime has quickly built a reputation as one of Summer 2025’s most intense and thought-provoking series.

The show wastes no time pulling viewers deep into its world, and by the second episode, it's already clear that Clevatess isn’t here to play it safe. It’s bold, violent, and surprisingly heartfelt - the kind of mix that leaves a lasting impression. From ruthless bandits to tender moments between unlikely allies, Clevatess delivers on both worldbuilding and character drama.

You can stream Clevatess exclusively on Crunchyroll.

A Beast Becomes a Man and the World Trembles

Right from the start, the story grabs your attention with a pretty unique twist. Clevatess, who used to be this terrifying monster feared by everyone, chooses to shed that form and take on a human body: fragile, limited, but capable of observing the world closely. It’s an interesting flip on the usual fantasy story where the monster is just something to be defeated. Here, the so-called monster actually becomes a judge of humanity.

In the very first episode, you learn that humans once created special weapons called Regalia, built specifically to hunt down creatures like Clevatess. But most of those warriors are gone now, and Clevatess finds himself wandering a world still healing from past conflicts. Under the name Klen, he travels with baby Luna and a warrior named Alicia, trying to raise Luna and figure out what humans really are: are they truly good, evil, or something more complicated?

And trust me, things only get darker from here.

Captured by Bandits and Caught in a Moral Storm

Episode 2, called The Beast Lord in Captivity, turns up the tension. While searching for a wet nurse for baby Luna, Klen and Alicia are suddenly captured by a ruthless gang known as The Ravens. This group isn’t your typical band of bandits: they’re organized, dangerous, and have a sharp edge to them that makes every scene feel unpredictable.

Klen, despite his fearsome past as a beast, is surprisingly powerless in his human form. This weakness humbles him, but also sparks his curiosity even more. Instead of fighting to escape immediately, he chooses to stay and observe. For him, every human interaction is valuable data, even when it’s unpleasant. And the Ravens? They show some of the worst sides of humanity.

The camp they’re taken to feels grim and tense, almost like something you’d see in a gritty fantasy game like Skyrim. Prisoners are lined up, surrounded by chaos, and the chances of getting out alive are slim. When one prisoner tries to flee, he’s shot without hesitation. There’s no mercy here at all.

A Glimmer of Hope in a Cruel World

Just when you think the show is all about brutality, a surprisingly warm moment breaks through. Nell, a quiet woman enslaved by the Ravens, emerges as the group’s wet nurse. Her life has been steeped in tragedy - she was forced to bear children, only to lose them all. But despite the cruelty she’s endured, she meets baby Luna with an almost maternal joy.

Nell becomes the heart of the episode. She’s the one person in this wretched place who shows genuine compassion, and it’s her presence that may one day challenge Clevatess’ assumptions about humanity.

Meanwhile, Alicia isn’t as lucky. She’s dragged before Vroko, the Raven’s brutal leader. He suspects she’s one of the chosen warriors who once fought Clevatess and wants to use her to track down the lost Regalia - remnants of the kingdom’s old power. He’s clever, cruel, and full of ambition. Not just another fantasy brute, but a man with a long game.

Monsters, Power, and the Thin Line Between Them

Vroko even keeps a Dark Beast as a pet, a terrifying troll named Betty that obeys him just enough to keep the others in line. Her presence is unsettling. Not just because she’s dangerous, but because it raises an important question: if humans can tame monsters like this, what makes them any different from the so-called beasts they once hunted?

There’s a moment in the episode when a captive is forced into a flooded mine, once the site of a deadly battle. Inside, Dark Beasts roam, still lurking. He doesn’t last long. It’s gruesome, but it’s also a grim reminder of what lies beneath the surface of this world - not just in the caves, but in people’s hearts.

“Clevatess won’t stop until Luna has grown to power.” - Klen, Episode 2

Alicia, refusing to be used as a pawn, stages a desperate escape in the final moments. She throws herself off a massive cliff, dragging a captor with her, a terrifying but bold move. The episode cuts off before we know if she survives, but one thing’s for sure: Clevatess is willing to go to dark places, and it’s just getting started.

Worldbuilding That Feels Real and Raw

One of the biggest strengths of Clevatess is its world. The continent of Edthea isn’t just a backdrop for sword fights. It’s full of power vacuums, broken alliances, and deeply human struggles. The Ravens, for instance, are trying to sell fake Regalia to gain power - a scam that could that could put them in real trouble if someone finds the real ones.

These kinds of details make the world feel alive and unpredictable. Whether it’s bandits fighting over magical weapons or dark beasts lurking in forgotten mines, Clevatess always feels like it’s on the edge of something big. And it’s not just about battles, it’s about what those battles say about the people fighting them.

The animation studio Lay-duce clearly poured their energy into crafting a world that’s both beautiful and haunting. The show doesn’t rely on flashy visuals alone, it tells a story that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Check out the trailer below to get a taste of what this dark fantasy world looks like in motion:

Why Clevatess Deserves Your Attention

There’s something powerful about an anime that takes its time exploring pain, trauma, and morality without sugarcoating it. Clevatess is not a show about heroes saving the day. It’s a show about what happens when the so-called monster starts questioning who the real monsters are.

With just two episodes out, it’s already offering a compelling mix of drama, violence, and hope. Luna’s future, Klen’s judgment, and Nell’s quiet strength all point to a story that’s far from over and absolutely worth following.

Don’t sleep on this one.

You can catch the next episode of Clevatess exclusively on Crunchyroll.