Kazuhiro Takamura is directing the original television anime Vertex Force, which premieres on October 3, 2026, at SMDE, with a full cast announced and a main promotional video released.
Kazuhiro Takamura, the creator of Strike Witches and Vividred Operation, is directing his first original anime since Vividred Operation in 2013. The project is Vertex Force, an original mecha television anime that premieres on October 3, 2026. Takamura is writing the scripts and designing the characters, a concentrated creative role. The production is housed at studio SMDE.
The main cast was announced on July 24, 2026, via the anime's official website, which also released a main promotional video and key visual. Makoto Koichi voices protagonist Akira Todo, a 13-year-old middle school student living in Okinawa who feels inferior for lacking the Engine power his older sister inherited. Kaede Hondo plays Haruka Todo, Akira's cheerful 16-year-old sister who hides her power. The cast also includes Ami Koshimizu as Eleanor Northbrook, an 18-year-old from the United States; Megumi Han as Lala Zudenstein, a 16-year-old from Switzerland; and Rie Takahashi as Yoko Nishina, a 16-year-old from Hokkaido. The story follows Akira and his family as strange events begin occurring worldwide, with unidentified enemies approaching.
Gorō Kuji is assistant director. Kanetake Ebikawa handles engine design, and JNTHED handles ENIA design. The anime will air on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV at 11:30 p.m., with streaming on U-NEXT and other services in Japan. The project is an original work, not an adaptation of an existing manga or light novel.
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Jul 26
The original television anime Vertex Force, directed by Strike Witches and Vividred Operation creator Kazuhiro Takamura, will premiere on October 3 at 11:30 p.m. on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV, with streaming on U-NEXT and other services in Japan. The announcement came on July 24 via the anime's official website, which also released a main promotional video, key visual, and the full main cast. Makoto Koichi voices protagonist Akira Todo, a 13-year-old middle school student living in Okinawa who feels inferior for lacking the "Engine" power his older sister Haruka inherited from their father. Kaede Hondo plays Haruka Todo, a cheerful 16-year-old high school girl who hides her power. Ami Koshimizu voices Eleanor Northbrook, an 18-year-old from the United States; Megumi Han plays Lala Zudenstein, a 16-year-old from Switzerland; and Rie Takahashi voices Yoko Nishina, a 16-year-old from Hokkaido. The story follows Akira and his family as strange events begin occurring worldwide, with unidentified enemies approaching. Takamura is directing at SMDE, with Gorō Kuji as assistant director. Kanetake Ebikawa handles engine design, and JNTHED handles ENIA design.
May 16
The original mecha anime Vertex Force will premiere in October 2026. Kazuhiro Takamura is directing the project, writing the scripts, and designing the characters. The production is housed at studio SMDE. A teaser video was released alongside the announcement. The project is an original work, not an adaptation of an existing manga or light novel. The announcement confirms the main creative lead and the production studio, establishing the core team behind the series. The teaser video offers the first look at the show's visual style and mecha designs. The October premiere window gives the production a clear timeline for its debut. The announcement did not include voice cast details or a specific episode count.