It has been revealed that DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION, a completely new original anime from the cross-media project between e-sports and anime, will be broadcast as a TV anime on Fuji TV in 2026. The main cast has also been announced, with Kensho Ono playing the protagonist Kairi, along with Miyuki Sawashiro as Rudra, Riho Sugiyama as Bran, Saya Aizawa as Isana, and Yuichi Nakamura as Ajima.
The "DARK MACHINE" project is currently developing a game and anime set in a world where a battle for energy unfolds in The Dark, an unknown realm where humans cannot survive. Goro Taniguchi , known for the " Code Geass " series and "ONE PIECE FILM RED," will serve as creative producer, with Hidetaka Tenjin, known for the "Macross" series, serving as lead mecha designer. The anime will be directed by Kazuo Terada and produced by Production +h, known for "The Orbital Children" and "Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction."
The anime will be released simultaneously with the game, which is scheduled for worldwide distribution, and will be a completely new e-sports anime centered around the growth of the main character and team and the innovation of the sport. Set in a near-future Japan where Chiba has been separated from the Kanto region due to a sudden rise in sea levels, the anime follows the protagonist Kairi as she strives to reach the top of the globally popular e-sports club "Dark Machine."
A key visual featuring Kairi and other characters playing the "Dark Machine" and a teaser trailer featuring scenes of Kairi fighting alongside her friends were released. Concept art for the mecha Kairi uses in her "Dark Machine" was also unveiled. It was also announced that rock musician and music producer SUGIZO will be in charge of the anime's music.
Creative producer Taniguchi commented, "Sometimes light-hearted, sometimes passionate. Please enjoy this story, which is based on the theme of e-sports and woven by Director Terada and many other talented people!"
Mechanical designer Tenjin said, "Dark Machine is probably the work that has produced the most robots in my career. Before I knew it, I had been working on robot designs every day for several years. We put our own unique personality into each one, so I'm sure there will be a machine that will resonate with everyone. All of the staff are working hard on it. I hope you will enjoy the world that this will create."
Director Terada commented, "Lots of cool machines! Fierce battles! Barrages of bullets and explosions! Team effort, friendship, and growth! The many adversities that befall the protagonist and the mysteries that are unraveled! We've packed in a lot of exciting elements and put it together with great energy. I hope you enjoy it with a drink or juice in hand!!!"
*Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Kazuo Terada ▽ Series Composition & Script: Team Carbuncle (Takaaki Suzuki, Tatsuhiko Urahata, Atsuo Ishino, Kento Sata) ▽ Main Character Design: Ko Yoshinari ▽ Sub-Character Design: Akira Mitani ▽ Mecha Designer: Hidetaka Tenjin ▽ Costume Design: Mebachi ▽ Chief Animation Director: Hiromi Kuroiwa, Hideki Ito ▽ Image Board: Shinji Arakawa ▽ Color Design: niko*miko ▽ Art Setting: Hiromi Tateiwa, Engawa, Noriyuki Ogi ▽ Art Director: Hiromi Tateiwa, Yusuke Ikeda ▽ CG Director: Akira Inami ▽ CG Action Director: Ryo Kimura ▽ Director of Photography: Naoko Tanaka ▽ Cinematography Supervisor: Akitaro Waki ▽ Editor: Yuki Honda ▽ Sound Director: Takeshi Takadera ▽ Sound Effects: Tomoko Otsuka ▽ Music: SUGIZO ▽ Music Production: Flying Dog ▽ Creative Producer: Goro Taniguchi ▽ Animation Production: Production +h.
*Cast (titles omitted)
Kairi: Kensho Ono ▽Rudra: Miyuki Sawashiro ▽Shin: Koki Uchiyama ▽Blanc: Riho Sugiyama ▽Isana: Saya Aizawa ▽Ajima: Yuichi Nakamura
