New anime adaptation Darwin Jiken reveals dark sci-fi world

The controversial manga series "Darwin Jiken" (English: "Darwin Incident") by Shun Umezawa is receiving a TV anime adaptation, set to premiere in January 2026. A second teaser trailer and a symbolic key visual highlight the dark atmosphere of the dystopian story.

At its core is Charlie, a humanzee hybrid of human and chimpanzee, whose superhuman abilities turn him into an unwilling revolutionary. The story explores ethical conflicts, societal divisions, and manipulation by mysterious organizations, with the character Rivera—a man with an enigmatic smile—serving as the antagonist. The trailer hints at explosive action, psychological power struggles, and Charlie’s battle for identity.

The second teaser visual depicts Charlie as a chess piece, with Rivera’s hand looming over him—a metaphor for control and predetermination. Accompanying the image is Rivera’s cryptic line: “Humanzee, you are ‘something special.’” The presentation reinforces the series as an intellectual action-drama with philosophical depth.

Director Naoyuki Tsuda ("JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind") and Studio VernoX Films promise a visually ambitious adaptation. Tsuda’s experience with complex narratives and dramatic staging makes him an ideal fit for the source material, which has been serialized in Monthly Afternoon since 2022.

"Darwin Jiken" has polarized audiences with its unflinching exploration of genetic manipulation and social exclusion. The adaptation could appeal to both sci-fi fans and critics of technological ethics through its mix of spectacular fight scenes, moral dilemmas, and political allegories.