Dark Machine: The Animation - A New Era in Anime

Exciting Developments in the Anime World

The anime industry is buzzing with excitement as the "Dark Machine Project Presentation" livestream recently unveiled thrilling details about the upcoming series, Dark Machine the Animation. This original anime is based on the popular Dark Machine game and is set to premiere in 2026. The livestream revealed a teaser promotional video, key visuals, the main cast, and the full production staff.

The Star-Studded Cast

The anime will feature a talented voice cast, including:

• Kenshō Ono as Kairi

• Miyuki Sawashiro as Rudora

• Kōki Uchiyama as Shinn

• Riho Sugiyama as Bran

• Saya Aizawa as Isana

• Yūichi Nakamura as Ajima

  
  

This impressive lineup promises to bring the characters to life in a captivating manner.

Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team

The staff for the anime's pilot trailer, which premiered at Comic-Con International in July 2024, has been confirmed to work on the television series. Kazumi Terada will direct the anime at Production +h.. The project is creatively produced by Gorō Taniguchi, known for directing Code Geass, and features Hidetaka Tenjin as the chief mechanical designer. Keiichi Yano is the creator of the project.

The writing team, known as "Team Carbuncle," includes Takaaki Suzuki, Tatsuhiko Urahata, and Atsuo Ishino, along with Satohito Sata, who will handle the series scripts.

Additional Staff Announced

The production team includes several key roles:

• Main Character Designer: Kō Yoshinari

• Sub-Character Designer: Akira Mitani

• Costume Design: Mebachi

• Chief Animation Directors: Yumi Kuroiwa, Hideki Itō

• Storyboard: Masatsugu Arakawa

• Color Key Artist: niko＊miko

• Art Setting: Hiromi Tateiwa, Engawa, Nariyuki Ogi

• Art Directors: Hiromi Tateiwa, Yusuke Ikeda

• CG Director: Akira Inami

• CG Action Director: Ryou Kimura

• Compositing Director of Photography: Naoko Tanaka

• Photography Supervision: Kentarō Waki

• Editing: Yuki Honda

• Sound Director: Takeshi Takadera

• Sound Effects: Tomoko Ohtsuka

• Music: SUGIZO

• Music Production: Flying Dog

  
  

A Unique World Setting

Dark Machine the Animation will introduce viewers to a unique world setting. The story takes place in the not-too-distant future, where the Dark Machine is a popular gaming metaverse. The anime is planned for global distribution and will be available for TV and streaming via Fuji TV.

The Game Behind the Anime

The Dark Machine game, described as an "asynchronous big team arena shooter," was announced in 2023. It is set for release this year, with Early Access starting in 2024. The game features a compelling narrative:

The year is 2079. Humankind lives in an energy bubble after Dr. Robert Palmer discovered the Palmer crystal, providing unlimited energy. However, not everyone has benefited from this hyper-energy source. Underground battles for energy have erupted globally. Factory robots, initially designed to cultivate energy, have been transformed into fighting mechs. They battle for high stakes. Dark energy is rumored to exist in small quantities within the Palmer crystal. Hyper AI technologies have been employed to harness this dark energy for combat advantages. The question remains: can mechs control this dark energy?

Taniguchi serves as the creative producer for the game, while Tenjin is the chief mechanical designer. Yuya Saito is the game director, and Koji Hakuta is the producer. The game features 7-versus-7 mech third-person shooting gameplay.

Funding and Development

The development team has raised over $8.7 million from more than 6,000 investors, including Tencent, web3 game platform Immutable, and blockchain company Sui. The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and will feature a blockchain-based in-game currency, MACHINA ($MXNA). Players can enjoy the game without purchasing NFTs, and free NFTs will be provided to new players. Decentralized tournaments will play a crucial role in the gameplay experience.

The Visionaries Behind the Project

Hidetaka Tenjin is an accomplished illustrator and mechanical artist. His works include Macross Zero, Aquarion, and Hellsing Ultimate, among others. He has also contributed mechanical art to the Gundam and Space Battleship Yamato franchises.

Gorō Taniguchi has directed several notable anime, including Planetes and One Piece Film Red. His experience and vision will undoubtedly shape the success of Dark Machine the Animation.

Conclusion

As the anime world eagerly anticipates the release of Dark Machine the Animation, fans can look forward to a captivating story, stunning visuals, and an impressive cast and crew. This project promises to be a significant addition to the anime landscape, blending gaming and animation in a unique way. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the premiere in 2026!

Sources: Dark Machine Project Presentation *livestream, Comic Natalie