Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Anime: Where to Watch, Episode 3's Special Opening & My Impressions
A god-slaying warrior reborn as a sickly little noble girl, 25 episodes of punching, and a one-off opening where Nia and Sharro sing the stage play you never see. Here's where to watch it, who's who and what I thought of episodes 1 to 3.
| Category | Anime |
|---|---|
| Published | OCT 20, 2026 |
| Read time | 9 MIN |
Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden (Kyoran Reijo Nia Liston) is the Fall 2026 anime about a god-slaying warrior reborn as a sickly little noble girl, and it has been airing in Japan since October 6, 2026, with new episodes on HIDIVE every Tuesday at 5:55 a.m. PT. It runs for 25 episodes over two straight cours, and episode 3 just swapped its usual opening for a one-off version: a stage play sung by Nia and her co-star Sharro. Below you'll find where to watch it (it's not Crunchyroll), the episode count, the special opening, who's who and my impressions of the first three episodes.
Where to Watch Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden
HIDIVE streams Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden outside Asia, including the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. HIDIVE's parent company signed a deal with MBS, one of the show's Japanese broadcasters, to simulcast its anime, and Nia Liston was the first title under it. So if you searched "Nia Liston Crunchyroll," that's why you came up empty.
HIDIVE Release Time
New episodes land on HIDIVE on Tuesdays at 5:55 a.m. PT (8:55 a.m. ET) with English subtitles, matching the first streams in Japan at 9:55 p.m. JST. Japan doesn't use daylight saving time, so after US clocks go back on November 1, the same release will show up at 4:55 a.m. PT. Check HIDIVE's schedule that week.
Japan Broadcast Schedule
| Channel or service | Time (JST) |
|---|---|
| TOKYO MX | Tuesdays 21:25 |
| BS NTV | Tuesdays 24:30 (Wednesday 0:30 a.m.) |
| MBS | Tuesdays 27:30 (Wednesday 3:30 a.m.) |
| ABEMA, d Anime Store | Tuesdays 21:55 (first streams) |
| U-NEXT, Anime Hodai | Fridays 21:55 |
How Many Episodes Will Nia Liston Have?
25. The official site lists the show as two consecutive cours, and its Blu-ray listings spell it out: BOX 1 holds episodes 1 to 12 and comes out in Japan on March 24, 2027, and BOX 2 holds episodes 13 to 25 and follows on June 23, 2027. With one episode a week from October 6, the final episode should air in late March 2027, unless the schedule takes a break over New Year's.
Episode 3 also gave fans something no other episode will have.
Nia Liston Episode 3's Special Opening: "Deux Livres"
Episode 3, 「舞台の幕が下りた後」 (roughly "After the Curtain Falls"), aired on October 20, 2026, with a special opening instead of the usual one. The official channel posted it the same day. It shows scenes from 『恋した女』 (roughly "The Woman Who Fell in Love"), the play staged by the theater troupe Ice Rose (氷結薔薇), and it's set to "Deux Livres," a duet by Nia Liston (Honoka Inoue) and Sharro White (Maaya Uchida), who both star in it.
That matters because the play itself happens off-screen: by the time episode 3 starts, the official synopsis says Nia has already made the royal capital performance a big success. The opening is where you actually get to see it. The official site announced on October 20 that "Deux Livres" will be on the show's original soundtrack, and a full-size version is a bonus track on the drama CD included with Blu-ray BOX 1.
The Regular Opening and Ending Themes
| Opening theme | "Respawn!!" (リスポーン!!) by Tsunomaki Watame, written, composed and arranged by Shota Horie |
| Ending theme | "Tokimeki Un Deux Trois♪" by the Magic Vision Promotion Squad: Nia (Honoka Inoue), Hildetaura (Rina Honnizumi) and Reliared (Rina Hidaka) |
| Episode 3 only | "Deux Livres" by Nia (Honoka Inoue) and Sharro White (Maaya Uchida) |
"Respawn!!" is the first anime tie-in ever for Tsunomaki Watame, the hololive VTuber, which explains why hololive fans keep searching for this show. It came out digitally on October 7, and the CD single follows on December 23, 2026.
A stage play, a TV career and mafia fights may sound like a strange mix, so here's what the show is actually about.
What Is Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden About?
Nia Liston follows a legendary warrior who once killed a god and died wishing she'd met someone strong enough to kill her. Instead of a glorious last fight, she wakes up in the body of Nia Liston, a beautiful but sickly young girl from a noble family. She keeps chasing strong opponents in her second life and fights for the fun of it.
The other half of the story is Magic Vision (魔法映像), a new broadcasting technology in this world. The Liston family's business depends on it catching on, so Nia becomes a TV talent to promote it, and later causes trouble at school too. The official synopsis calls it the record of the strongest young lady who will one day be called the "Merciless Maiden."
It's based on Umikaze Minamino's web novel, which ran on Shōsetsuka ni Narō from 2019 to 2021 and became a light novel series from Hobby Japan's HJ Bunko imprint in September 2022. According to the official site, the web novel has passed 80 million page views and the series has 2.4 million copies in circulation. Twelve volumes are out in Japan.
A strong cast carries it, starting with the four characters at the heart of the first episodes.
Nia Liston Characters and Voice Cast
Nia Liston is voiced by Honoka Inoue, with Fūka Izumi as her maid Rinokis Funk. The first arc also brings in Anzel (Taku Yashiro) and Sharro White (Maaya Uchida).
Nia Liston (CV: Honoka Inoue)
The Liston family's daughter, who died young of illness and was brought back by a forbidden technique. She looks like a cute little lady, but the soul inside her belonged to the warrior once called the "god-slaying hero," and she still wants a fight to the death with someone strong. To spread her family's Magic Vision business, she starts appearing on its programs, and may even become an idol.
Rinokis Funk (CV: Fūka Izumi)
The Liston family maid who has looked after Nia since her sickly days. The official profile says she has an abnormal love for and attachment to her young lady, and her affection sometimes escalates. She once wanted to be an adventurer, and she's a capable fighter and bodyguard.
Anzel (CV: Taku Yashiro)
A hired bodyguard from the criminal underworld who fights with a magic weapon and is confident in his skill. On his boss's orders, he challenges Nia. He's cold, level-headed and a heavy smoker.
Sharro White (CV: Maaya Uchida)
A promising new actress with the Ice Rose theater troupe who lands her first lead role. Her passion for the stage makes her try too hard, and she's strict with Nia when Nia is cast opposite her, because she can't always be honest about how she feels.
Other cast members include Rina Honnizumi as Princess Hildetaura Altoire, Rina Hidaka as Reliared Silver, Satoshi Hino as Gandolf Rogen, Yoko Hikasa as Fressa and Junichi Suwabe as King Hyurence Altoire.
Nia Liston Anime Staff and Studio
KONAMI animation produces the series, with Motoki Nakanishi directing.
| Studio | KONAMI animation |
| Director | Motoki Nakanishi |
| Assistant director | Haruta Segi |
| Series composition | Gigaemon Ichikawa |
| Music | Naoki Endō |
| Original story | Umikaze Minamino (HJ Bunko, Hobby Japan) |
| Original character designs | Katana Canata, Jishaku |
If you'd rather read ahead than wait a week, you can do it in English.
Is the Nia Liston Light Novel or Manga in English?
Yes, both. J-Novel Club publishes the light novel in English. The manga, drawn by Kabuto Kodai, runs on Square Enix's Manga UP! and is also published in English by Square Enix. In Japan, the light novel is at 12 volumes and the manga at 9.
Reading ahead is one option. Here's what I made of the anime so far.
Is Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Worth Watching? Episode 1, 2 and 3 Impressions
I'm watching Nia Liston week by week and I'll add my thoughts on new episodes here as they air. Here are my impressions of episodes 1 to 3.
Episode 1 Impressions
Light details from episode 1.
Amazing animation, and a girl who is utterly ruthless? Count me in.
From what I can tell, she isn't really trying to hide the fact she is a grown ass adult in a child's body. Unlike a lot of others where they try to blend in, right off the bat she is showcasing that she is way more mature, and stronger, than a child would be.
Also love how she fantasises how she could easily kill everyone with a flick of her wrist, she knows she is strong, insanely so, and doesn't hide that fact.
Can't wait for her to start throwing hands at everyone who stands in her way. I love me anime where they punch people. I want to see her rip and tear through the battlefields like in the beginning.
Episode 2 Impressions
This part talks about what happens in episode 2.
Nia's patience was finally rewarded. Sadly the fight wasn't even an appetizer for her, but I guess she will get what she can get at this point.
Rinokis is no doubt annoyed by Sharro. But Nia knows how to make the most of her. I do like how the Ice Princes mention they are using Nia, but Nia of course knows how to make the most of the situation in her favor too.
Episode 3 Impressions
This part talks about what happens in episode 3.
That's a nice touch with the OP. Since we didn't get to see the play in the show proper, we got it in the OP instead. The vocals were also performed by Nia & Sharro's VAs for an additional level of immersion.
If only the Listons knew about their daughter... she didn't need any bodyguard to protect her from others but rather to protect others from her. RIP to those thugs. At least Anzel was able to tank 38 blows from her – have to give him credit for the inhuman endurance. That's quite the appetiser before she got to demolish the horde.
Next episode, we enter the 'My Combat Sensei Can't Be This Cute' arc. Rinokis is about to endure a training from hell but she'd definitely love the fruits of her labour.
Below are quick answers to the questions people ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden
Where can I watch Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden?
HIDIVE streams it outside Asia, including the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, with new episodes on Tuesdays at 5:55 a.m. PT. In Japan, it airs on TOKYO MX, BS NTV and MBS.
Is Nia Liston on Crunchyroll?
No. Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden is a HIDIVE simulcast, under HIDIVE's streaming deal with the Japanese broadcaster MBS.
How many episodes does Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden have?
25 episodes over two consecutive cours. The official Blu-ray listings put episodes 1 to 12 in BOX 1 and episodes 13 to 25 in BOX 2.
When did the Nia Liston anime come out?
It premiered in Japan on October 6, 2026, on TOKYO MX, and new episodes air every Tuesday.
What is the Nia Liston opening song?
The opening is "Respawn!!" by the hololive VTuber Tsunomaki Watame. Episode 3 used a special opening instead: "Deux Livres," sung by Nia (Honoka Inoue) and Sharro White (Maaya Uchida).
What is the Nia Liston ending theme?
The ending is "Tokimeki Un Deux Trois♪," sung by Nia, Hildetaura and Reliared as the Magic Vision Promotion Squad.
Is there a Nia Liston manga in English?
Yes. Kabuto Kodai's manga is published in English by Square Enix, and J-Novel Club publishes the original light novel in English.
Is Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden worth watching?
So far, yes. The animation is amazing, and Nia is an utterly ruthless lead who doesn't hide how strong she is.
Related Videos
Start with the episode 3 special opening, then the regular opening, the creditless ending and the second trailer. All four are from the official MBS animation channel.
One tiny noble girl, a lot of broken thugs. See everything else airing this season in our Fall 2026 anime schedule, try another reincarnation story in our Noble Reincarnation guide, or check out Magical Explorer, another fantasy show I'm following this fall. More updates are on our anime news page.
Sources: Nia Liston official site (broadcast and streaming schedule, staff, cast, character profiles, music, Blu-ray listings), Animate Times (episode 3 special opening), Anime News Network (HIDIVE license), J-Novel Club (English light novel). Images ©南野海風・ホビージャパン/凶乱令嬢ニア・リストン製作委員会, via the official site.
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