The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Shun Umezawa’s award-winning manga, The Darwin Incident, has released a new promotional video, revealed additional cast members, and confirmed its premiere date for January 6, 2026. The series will air on TV Tokyo and its affiliates.
The latest announcements provide a deeper look into the world of Charlie, the “humanzee” protagonist, and the ethical dilemmas at the heart of the sci-fi thriller.
New Promotional Video Offers Glimpse into Charlie’s World
The newly released promotional video showcases key moments from the anime, highlighting Charlie’s unique existence as a half-human, half-chimpanzee hybrid. The trailer also teases the tension and philosophical depth that the series is known for, depicting Charlie’s clashes with human values and his confrontation with the eco-terrorist group, the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA). The video captures the essence of the story, from Charlie’s birth to his complex interactions with those around him.
Expanded Cast Brings Key Characters to Life
Joining the previously announced cast, the latest update confirms additional voice actors for pivotal roles, enriching the narrative of The Darwin Incident.
Main Voice Cast
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Charlie Stein: Known for her role as Anya in SPY×FAMILY, Tanezaki takes on the complex protagonist, Charlie, a humanzee navigating a human world. Tanezaki expressed that voicing Charlie was a unique challenge, making her “reflect deeply on Charlie and everything surrounding him” and marking “the first time in her career that she truly struggled.”
- Mitsuho Kambe as Lucy Eldred: Kambe portrays Lucy, a clever loner who becomes Charlie’s first friend at high school. Kambe commented on being drawn to the story’s realism and tension despite its fictional elements, striving to express Lucy’s intelligence and drive.
- Akio Otsuka as Rivera Feyerabend: A veteran voice actor, Otsuka lends his voice to Rivera, the leader of the extremist Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA) who targets Charlie. Otsuka stated he is “fully prepared to bear all the audience’s hostility,” embracing the antagonist role with conviction.
January 6, 2026: The Premiere Date
The television anime is officially set to premiere on January 6, 2026, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. This confirms its place among the highly anticipated anime releases of early 2026, standing out as a notable debut amidst many returning series.
Production Team Behind “The Darwin Incident”
The anime is being produced by BELLNOX FILMS, marking their first major project. The staff includes:
- Director: Naokatsu Tsuda (known for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
- Series Director: Katsuichi Nakayama
- Series Composition: Shinichi Inotsume
- Character Designer: Shinpei Tomooka
- Music Composers: Alisa Okehazama and Mariko Horikawa
- Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami
- Opening Theme Song: “Make Me Wonder” by Official Hige Dandism
The Story of Charlie: A “Humanzee” Navigating Identity
The Darwin Incident manga, written and illustrated by Shun Umezawa, has been serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon seinen manga magazine since June 2020. It has garnered significant acclaim, winning the 15th Manga Taishō in 2022 and an Excellence Award at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival.
The story revolves around Charlie, a “humanzee” – a hybrid born from a human and a chimpanzee during an operation by an eco-terrorist organization, the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA). Fifteen years later, Charlie is raised by human adoptive parents and begins attending high school, where he forms his first friendship with a girl named Lucy. However, his relatively normal life is shattered when the ALA resurfaces, determined to kidnap Charlie and involve him in their extremist plots. The series delves into complex themes of identity, humanity, animal rights, and eco-terrorism, prompting readers and now viewers to reflect on profound societal questions.
Kodansha USA is publishing the manga in English.
