by The TV anime The Demon Bride (Oni no Hanayome) has expanded its star-studded voice cast with the addition of acclaimed voice actors Akira Ishida and Misato Fukuen. The two veteran performers make their debut in Episode 4, portraying Chiya Kiryuin and Sara Kiryuin, the parents of the male protagonist, Reiya Kiryuin.
Their introduction gives fans a deeper look into the influential Kiryuin family, one of the most powerful demon clans in the world of ayakashi (supernatural beings). Alongside the episode’s broadcast, official comments from both voice actors have been released, offering insight into their characters and their experience working on the series.
As The Demon Bride continues to blend romance, fantasy, and Japanese folklore, the arrival of Reiya’s parents marks an important step in expanding both the story and its richly developed supernatural world.
Akira Ishida Joins the Cast as Chiya Kiryuin
Legendary voice actor Akira Ishida voices Chiya Kiryuin, the respected head of the Kiryuin clan and father of Reiya.
As one of the highest-ranking demons among the ayakashi, Chiya commands tremendous authority and influence. Despite his impressive status, however, he is far from an intimidating patriarch.
Instead, Chiya possesses a playful, carefree personality that contrasts sharply with Reiya’s calm, disciplined nature.
This unexpected father-son dynamic creates both humorous and heartwarming moments, giving viewers a new perspective on the Kiryuin family.
Akira Ishida’s Comment on Playing Chiya
Speaking about his new role, Akira Ishida shared his thoughts on Chiya’s unique personality.
“Chiya is Reiya’s father and an extremely capable man, but his playful personality makes the relationship between father and son feel wonderfully mismatched, and that’s what makes him such an interesting character.”
Ishida also noted that Chiya is much more than comic relief.
“I don’t think Chiya simply served as a negative example that shaped Reiya’s personality. I believe he also possesses admirable qualities that deserve to be passed down through the family line.”
His comments suggest that Chiya’s role will become increasingly important as the story explores Reiya’s background and family relationships.
Misato Fukuen Voices Sara Kiryuin
Joining Ishida is Misato Fukuen, who portrays Sara Kiryuin, Reiya’s kind-hearted and affectionate mother.
Sara brings warmth and positivity to the Kiryuin household, balancing Chiya’s energetic personality with her own gentle nature.
Although Reiya is often portrayed as composed and emotionally reserved, meeting his parents reveals a much more lively and loving family environment than many viewers may have expected.
Sara also warmly welcomes Yuzu into the family, making her an important emotional presence in the story.
Misato Fukuen Shares Her Recording Experience
Misato Fukuen expressed her excitement about joining the anime and recording alongside Akira Ishida.
She described Chiya and Sara as an adorable, energetic couple and said Ishida’s performance made the recording sessions especially enjoyable.
Fukuen also spoke about the central romance between Yuzu and Reiya.
“Yuzu and Reiya are both incredibly adorable. Watching the two of them grow closer made me just as excited as Sara herself.”
She concluded by encouraging fans to continue supporting The Demon Bride as the story develops.
About The Demon Bride
Based on the bestselling novel by Kureha, The Demon Bride is often described as a Japanese-style ayakashi Cinderella story.
The series combines supernatural fantasy, romance, and traditional Japanese folklore with emotional character-driven storytelling.
The story follows Yuzu Shinonome, an ordinary high school girl who has spent years being mistreated and overlooked by her own family.
Everything changes when she encounters Reiya Kiryuin, a powerful demon who belongs to one of the most prestigious ayakashi clans.
Their fateful meeting transforms Yuzu’s life forever, leading her into a hidden world filled with supernatural beings, ancient traditions, and destined love.
The franchise has gained popularity through its original novel series and manga adaptation before leaping to television.
Episode 4 Introduces the Kiryuin Family
Episode 4 gives viewers their first opportunity to meet Reiya’s parents, offering a deeper understanding of the Kiryuin household.
Until now, much of the story has focused on the growing relationship between Yuzu and Reiya.
By introducing Chiya and Sara, the anime expands its world-building while revealing the family environment that helped shape one of its most important characters.
The episode also adds a lighter, more humorous atmosphere through the interactions between the lively parents and their usually serious son.
A Strong Addition to the Voice Cast
The addition of Akira Ishida and Misato Fukuen further strengthens an already impressive cast.
Main Cast
- Yuzu Shinonome — Saori Hayami
- Reiya Kiryuin — Yuichiro Umehara
- Karin Shinonome — Manaka Iwami
- Yota Kogetsu — Ryota Osaka
- Touko — Sayaka Senbongi
- Tokichi Nekota — Natsuki Hanae
- Takamichi Araki — Taito Ban
- Sakuraga Oniyama — Nobunaga Shimazaki
- Sakurako Oniyama — Aya Endo
- Sou — Momoka Terazawa
- Ao — Miyu Kobori
- Chiya Kiryuin — Akira Ishida
- Sara Kiryuin — Misato Fukuen
With many of Japan’s most recognizable voice actors involved, the anime continues to deliver compelling performances that bring its emotional story to life.
Production Staff
The anime adaptation is produced by Colored Pencil Animation Japan, with a creative team experienced in fantasy and romance storytelling.
Main Staff
- Original Story: Kureha
- Manga: Jun Togashi
- Original Character Illustrations: Yu Shiratani
- Director: Kazuhito Omiya
- Series Composition: Yumi Kamakura
- Main Character Design: Hikari Tanaka
- Character Design: Hiroko Shigekuni
- Art Director & Art Setting: MAI MAI
- Color Design: Akiko Shibata
- Director of Photography: Tomoyoshi Ishizuka
- Editing: Junichi Ito
- Music: Masaru Yokoyama
- Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
- Sound Production: Rakunesha
- Animation Studio: Colored Pencil Animation Japan
The combination of elegant artwork, atmospheric music, and expressive voice acting has helped establish The Demon Bride as one of the standout supernatural romance anime of the year.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
Television Broadcast
The anime airs weekly across multiple Japanese television networks, including:
- TOKYO MX
- BS11
- Gunma TV
- Tochigi TV
- CBC TV
- Yomiuri TV
- Fukuoka Broadcasting
- Shizuoka Broadcasting
- Hiroshima TV
- HTB Hokkaido TV
- Tohoku Broadcasting
- RSK Sanyo Broadcasting
- AT-X
Streaming Platforms
Viewers can also watch the series through several streaming services, including:
- d Anime Store
- ABEMA
- U-NEXT
- Anime Hodai
- Additional participating streaming platforms
Why Reiya’s Parents Matter to the Story
The introduction of Chiya and Sara is more than just a cast expansion—it deepens the emotional foundation of the series.
Meeting Reiya’s parents allows viewers to better understand his upbringing, personality, and the expectations placed upon him as the heir to one of the most powerful ayakashi families.
Their cheerful personalities also create a refreshing contrast to the darker themes surrounding Yuzu’s troubled family life, reinforcing one of the anime’s central messages: that genuine love and acceptance can change a person’s destiny.
As the story progresses, fans can expect the Kiryuin family to play an increasingly important role in both the romance and the broader supernatural conflict.
Final Thoughts
The addition of Akira Ishida as Chiya Kiryuin and Misato Fukuen as Sara Kiryuin is a welcome development for The Demon Bride, bringing two beloved voice actors into one of 2026’s most talked-about supernatural romance anime. Their debut in Episode 4 not only expands the Kiryuin family but also enriches the emotional depth of Reiya’s character and the world surrounding him.
With its blend of heartfelt romance, Japanese folklore, compelling family dynamics, and a talented production team, The Demon Bride continues to captivate audiences each week. As Yuzu and Reiya’s relationship grows stronger and new characters enter the story, fans have plenty to look forward to in the episodes ahead.
