No, There is No Dark Souls Animated Series
A viral post on X has set the gaming community ablaze with claims of a Dark Souls animated series heading to Netflix, complete with details on its showrunner and setting. The announcement, which quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of views, promised a prequel exploring the game’s lore, but early investigations point to it being a clever fake.
Here’s the TL;DR:
An X post from user @gemahtreeuhh announced a Dark Souls animated series for Netflix.
It named Adi Shankar as showrunner and said the show would be set in the Age of Fire era.
FromSoftware, the game’s developer, was explicitly stated to have no involvement.
Fact-checks and community notes confirm the post is fabricated, with no official backing from Netflix or the involved parties.
Is a Dark Souls animated series really in development at Netflix?
The rumor kicked off on February 7, 2026, when X user @gemahtreeuhh shared a post featuring Dark Souls III artwork and bullet points outlining the supposed project. It gained traction fast, amassing over 776,000 views and sparking debates across social media.
What exactly did the viral X post claim about the Dark Souls Netflix series?
The post detailed a prequel series set during the Age of Fire, a pivotal period in Dark Souls lore where gods and dragons clashed before the cycle of linking the flame began. Adi Shankar, known for his work on Netflix’s Devil May Cry adaptation, was listed as showrunner. It also noted FromSoftware’s lack of involvement, which immediately raised red flags for fans familiar with the studio’s hands-on approach to its IP.
Who is Adi Shankar, and does he have any connection to Dark Souls?
Adi Shankar is a producer and showrunner with a solid resume in adapting video games to animation. He spearheaded Netflix’s Castlevania series, which ran for four seasons and earned praise for its dark fantasy vibes and faithful nods to the source material. More recently, Shankar delivered Devil May Cry, which premiered on Netflix in April 2025 and featured voice talent like Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante. The show blended high-octane action with a prequel storyline exploring Dante’s early days as a demon hunter.
Shankar’s style often emphasizes gritty, character-driven narratives, but his projects have drawn mixed reactions—some hail his bold takes, while others criticize deviations from canon.
Shankar’s involvement in other game adaptations includes Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, a Ubisoft crossover that mashed up properties like Far Cry in a cyberpunk setting. However, a deep dive into his public profiles, including Instagram and interviews, shows no mention of Dark Souls. In a June 2025 Esquire piece, Shankar discussed his ambitions for American animation but focused on existing projects like Devil May Cry and a potential Duke Nukem venture. No Dark Souls tie-ins appear in his Wikipedia entry or recent Collider Q&As, where he teased Capcom crossovers but stuck to confirmed titles.
Why would FromSoftware’s non-involvement be a dealbreaker for a Dark Souls adaptation?
FromSoftware, led by visionary director Hidetaka Miyazaki, has built Dark Souls into a cornerstone of modern gaming since its 2011 debut. The series is renowned for its punishing difficulty, cryptic storytelling, and atmospheric world-building, influencing titles from Elden Ring to indie hits like Hollow Knight.
The studio guards its lore closely—Miyazaki has emphasized in past interviews that adaptations must align with the games’ ambiguous narrative style. Without their input, any series risks diluting the essence that makes Dark Souls special, as seen in fan backlash to unlicensed mods or fan projects.
Netflix has a history of game adaptations, but how does Dark Souls fit in?
Netflix’s anime slate includes successes like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and upcoming 2026 releases such as Baki-Dou and Beastars’ final season. The platform has leaned into video game IPs, with Shankar’s Devil May Cry earning solid reviews for its animation by Studio MIR and nods to the source material.
A Dark Souls series could thrive in animation, visualizing epic boss fights like Ornstein and Smough or the melancholic ruins of Anor Londo. Yet, Netflix’s track record isn’t spotless—cancellations like the Resident Evil live-action show highlight challenges in capturing game magic.
How did the gaming community react to the Dark Souls Netflix rumor?
Reactions flooded X, with many expressing skepticism or outright dismay. One user called it a “four sentence horror” for FromSoftware fans, citing Netflix’s involvement as a potential pitfall. Another lamented, “Adi Shankar + Netflix directing a Dark Souls series... zero interest,” fearing it would stray from the original vision.
Positive takes were scarce, but some Devil May Cry fans offered cautious optimism. Arabic-speaking communities also debunked it quickly, with posts stating the rumors lack sources. Overall, the buzz turned sour as community notes labeled the original post a fabrication from a parody account.
Has there ever been real talk of a Dark Souls adaptation?
Rumors of a Dark Souls anime have simmered since 2023, but none panned out. FandomWire reported on similar hoaxes, noting how they often use names like Shankar to stir controversy. IMDb and Reddit threads echo this, with users pointing out the post’s inconsistencies—no matching announcements from Netflix’s press site or Shankar’s channels.
FromSoftware’s focus remains on games, with Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree still fresh in players’ minds from its 2024 release.
What would a legitimate Dark Souls series look like if it happened?
Imagine animated sequences delving into Gwyn’s war against the dragons or the tragic fall of Artorias. Studio MIR, which handled Devil May Cry‘s fluid combat, could nail the series’ brutal fights. But without FromSoftware, it might miss the soul—pun intended—of the games’ deliberate pacing and hidden depths.
Fans have long dreamed of adaptations, drawing parallels to Berserk‘s influence on Dark Souls’ aesthetic.
Is the Dark Souls Netflix series rumor true?
No, it’s not. Community notes on the original post clarify it’s from a parody account with no verified sources. Searches across Netflix’s announcements, Shankar’s socials, and FromSoftware’s updates turn up nothing. Reddit discussions label it a troll, similar to past fakes for other franchises. If a real project emerges, expect official word from the studios involved.
This rumor highlights how quickly misinformation spreads in gaming circles, especially with beloved IPs like Dark Souls. While it got fans talking about what could be, it ultimately serves as a reminder to verify sources before getting too excited. For now, players can revisit the games or check out Shankar’s actual works on Netflix. If a true adaptation ever materializes, it could link the flame for a new era of Soulsborne storytelling—but until then, keep that estus flask handy for the next hoax.
Hat Tips
FandomWire, “Fact Check: Is Netflix Working on a Dark Souls Animated Series?”, February 7, 2026
Wikipedia, “Adi Shankar”, accessed February 7, 2026
Collider, “Dante Is Rollin’ Into a Spring Release Date With New ‘Devil May Cry’ Sneak Peek”, January 30, 2025
X.com/gemahtreeuhh/status/2019934088681980053
Reddit, r/darksouls3, “new dark souls netflix anime”, February 7, 2026
Article compiled by Newsroom Staff on February 07, 2026 and was fact-checked by Editorial before publication.