Amazon Prime Video has announced it will exclusively stream the highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Shun Umezawa’s award-winning manga, The Darwin Incident, in North America. The series is set to premiere on January 7, 2026, making it a significant addition to Prime Video’s winter 2026 anime lineup. The announcement has generated considerable excitement among anime enthusiasts, eager to delve into the sci-fi social thriller.
What is “The Darwin Incident” About?
The Darwin Incident plunges viewers into a complex world where the lines between humanity and nature are blurred. The story centers on Charlie, a “humanzee”—a hybrid being, half-human and half-chimpanzee—who was born during a commando operation by an eco-terrorist organization known as the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA).
Fifteen years after his extraordinary birth, Charlie is raised by human foster parents and attempts to lead a normal life by attending high school, where he forms his first friendship with a human girl named Lucy. However, his existence becomes a focal point for the increasingly radicalized ALA, who seek to involve him in their terrorist plots, leading to a thrilling social thriller that explores themes of discrimination and ideological conflict.
A Deep Dive into Charlie’s Origin
Charlie’s journey begins when the ALA rescues a pregnant chimpanzee from an animal testing laboratory. This chimpanzee then gives birth to Charlie, the unique “humanzee”. His biological mother, Eva, suffered mental retardation after an emergency C-section and was unable to care for him, leading to his adoption by human parents, the Steins. This upbringing by humans, coupled with his ape-like strength and human intelligence, positions Charlie at the heart of the narrative’s central conflicts.
The Role of the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA)
The Animal Liberation Alliance is depicted as an eco-terrorist organization that engages in extreme actions in pursuit of animal liberation. Their initial act of rescuing Charlie’s mother sets the stage for his dramatic life, and their later attempts to pull him into their radical agenda drive much of the plot’s tension.
The Creative Team Behind the Anime
The anime adaptation of The Darwin Incident is produced by Bellnox Films. Naokatsu Tsuda (known for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) serves as the director, with Katsuichi Nakayama as the series director. Shinichi Inotsume is responsible for the series composition, and Shinpei Tomooka handles the character designs. The music is composed by Alisa Okehazama and Mariko Horikawa. The opening theme, “Make Me Wonder,” will be performed by Official Hige Dandism.
The main cast includes Atsumi Tanezaki as Charlie Stein and Mitsuho Kambe as Lucy Eldred. Other key voice actors include Toshiyuki Morikawa as Gilbert Stein, Rina Sato as Hannah Stein, Yoji Ueda as Phillip Graham, Kaito Ishikawa as Gale, and Hiroya Egashira as Lesley K. Lippman.
Acclaimed Manga Series
Shun Umezawa’s original manga has been serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon seinen manga magazine since June 2020. It has garnered significant critical acclaim, boasting over 1.6 million copies in circulation by May 2024. The series notably won the prestigious 15th Manga Taishō award in 2022 and an Excellence Award at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival. Kodansha USA publishes the English-language version of the manga.
Global Reach and Anticipation
The exclusive streaming deal with Amazon Prime Video for North America highlights the global interest in The Darwin Incident. The anime is set to premiere on January 7, 2026, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates in Japan, with Prime Video streaming beginning shortly after on the same day in Japan Standard Time (JST). This widespread availability underscores the series’ potential to become a major talking point for anime fans worldwide, exploring profound ethical and social questions through its compelling narrative.
