Kiba

Kiba drops you into a vivid fantasy world where power and danger collide through a rising cast of travelers. The story follows a young figure, Noa, and his companions as they push through a fractured landscape ruled by mysterious forces tied to ancient artifacts. This Madhouse and Aniplex production, which aired on TV Tokyo in 2006, shoots for a darker tone than typical trading card game tie ins. Directed by Hiroshi Kōjina, the series refuses to pander to younger audiences and aims for a harder edge, with high stakes battles and lethal confrontations along the way. The setup hints at a sprawling quest rather than a simple duel for glory. Its visuals lean toward surreal landscapes and stark lighting.

Directed by Hiroshi Kōjina, Kiba is a Madhouse and Aniplex production backed by Upper Deck Japan. In North America, Upper Deck licensed the series and ADV Films handled distribution, with Amusement Park Media producing the English dub and coordinating releases.

Critics and fans note the show leans into a harsher atmosphere than typical tie ins, with peril and characters meeting grim fates. It also makes a point of avoiding easy child friendly tropes, opting for a darker, more mature tone that centers on survival, loyalty, and the costs of power.

Its Western exposure came via Toonami Jetstream from July 14, 2008 to January 21, 2009, followed by availability on The Anime Network's Video on Demand service, broadening attention for a late 2000s Madhouse project. The series drew attention from seiyuu fans with Kazuma Horie and Nana Mizuki in roles.