Image: Project Carbuncle/DARK MACHINE Committee
AMBot | 08/19/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The original series "DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION" from the cross-media project "DARK MACHINE" starts in October 2026 on Japanese television. On the occasion of this date, those responsible released the second promotional film as well as new voice actor roles. The clip shows, among other things, the machine battles of the titular esports game "Dark Machine", in which the main character Kairi must hold his own, and gives first excerpts of the theme song.
For the opening, the band BUCK∞TICK is responsible: The song "Sonzai Riyuu Kai" (存在理由 改), written specifically for the series, comes from the pen of guitarist Hisashi Imai. "It is an honor to contribute a song to this work," Imai is quoted; he hopes that the "noise, rhythm, and language" of the piece will further paint the world of "DARK MACHINE". First parts of the track can already be heard in the second PV.
Additionally, four roles from the rival teams of the esports club "CARBUNCLE", to which protagonist Kairi belongs, were announced. The team "GREAT CLUSTER" includes Nyudo, voiced by Ryunosuke Watanuki, and Hachiman, voiced by Jun Kousaka. For the team "Esmeralda", Minori Suzuki takes on the role of Bianca, and Rikuya Yasuda voices Weiss.
As an industry-wide new concept, "DARK MACHINE" combines an esports game, which is to be distributed worldwide, with a parallel animated series. The story is set in Japan in the near future, where Chiba has been separated from the mainland of the Kanto region due to a rapid rise in sea level. The game "Dark Machine" has even changed the economic order there: In Golden Valley, the only special economic zone for the game, Ajima, the seventh bearer of the title "Senki" (千鬼), rules. Kairi follows the legacy of his deceased grandfather, travels to Golden Valley, and meets Rudra, a girl being hunted by Ajima's people. Against his will, Kairi becomes a player – and gradually unfolds his talent in the tough competition.
Goro Taniguchi, known among other things for "Code Geass" and "One Piece Film Red", serves as creative producer. Kazuo Terada directs; the main character design comes from Tsuyoshi Yoshinari, and Hidetaka Tenjin is responsible for the machines. The music is composed by SUGIZO. The series is produced by Studio Production +h., which previously produced "The Orbital Children" and "Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction". Other roles include Miyuki Sawashiro (Rudra), Koki Uchiyama (Shin), Riho Sugiyama (Blanc), Saya Aizawa (Isana), Yuichi Nakamura (Ajima), Kazuyuki Okitsu (Myojin), Ryota Suzuki (Ryo), Genta Nakamura (Kinji), and Sohei Horigane (Hill).
"DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION" will air from October 2026 on Fuji TV on Tuesdays at 1:45 a.m., followed by Kansai TV on Thursdays at 2:45 a.m. and BS Fuji on Tuesdays at 0:30 a.m. According to the organizers, the broadcast times may still change.
For the opening, the band BUCK∞TICK is responsible: The song "Sonzai Riyuu Kai" (存在理由 改), written specifically for the series, comes from the pen of guitarist Hisashi Imai. "It is an honor to contribute a song to this work," Imai is quoted; he hopes that the "noise, rhythm, and language" of the piece will further paint the world of "DARK MACHINE". First parts of the track can already be heard in the second PV.
Additionally, four roles from the rival teams of the esports club "CARBUNCLE", to which protagonist Kairi belongs, were announced. The team "GREAT CLUSTER" includes Nyudo, voiced by Ryunosuke Watanuki, and Hachiman, voiced by Jun Kousaka. For the team "Esmeralda", Minori Suzuki takes on the role of Bianca, and Rikuya Yasuda voices Weiss.
As an industry-wide new concept, "DARK MACHINE" combines an esports game, which is to be distributed worldwide, with a parallel animated series. The story is set in Japan in the near future, where Chiba has been separated from the mainland of the Kanto region due to a rapid rise in sea level. The game "Dark Machine" has even changed the economic order there: In Golden Valley, the only special economic zone for the game, Ajima, the seventh bearer of the title "Senki" (千鬼), rules. Kairi follows the legacy of his deceased grandfather, travels to Golden Valley, and meets Rudra, a girl being hunted by Ajima's people. Against his will, Kairi becomes a player – and gradually unfolds his talent in the tough competition.
Goro Taniguchi, known among other things for "Code Geass" and "One Piece Film Red", serves as creative producer. Kazuo Terada directs; the main character design comes from Tsuyoshi Yoshinari, and Hidetaka Tenjin is responsible for the machines. The music is composed by SUGIZO. The series is produced by Studio Production +h., which previously produced "The Orbital Children" and "Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction". Other roles include Miyuki Sawashiro (Rudra), Koki Uchiyama (Shin), Riho Sugiyama (Blanc), Saya Aizawa (Isana), Yuichi Nakamura (Ajima), Kazuyuki Okitsu (Myojin), Ryota Suzuki (Ryo), Genta Nakamura (Kinji), and Sohei Horigane (Hill).
"DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION" will air from October 2026 on Fuji TV on Tuesdays at 1:45 a.m., followed by Kansai TV on Thursdays at 2:45 a.m. and BS Fuji on Tuesdays at 0:30 a.m. According to the organizers, the broadcast times may still change.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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