A mecha vs. mecha game and an anime set in the same world? Yes please. We’re one step closer to overcoming traffic congestion with giant, rifle-packing robots with the premiere of Dark Machine: The Animation. The anime arrived on October 14, 2026. Dark Machine The Game arrives in 2027.
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Dark Machine and the Dank Teen
My desire to crush traffic underfoot in a big shiny robot could, if crystallized, explain all the world-building you need to know behind the Dark Machine franchise.
The Dark is an extra-dimensional cesspit of human emotions (much like my teenage diary). Crystals of ultimate power grow within the Dark, and everyone wants them. These Palmer crystals — no, not the things growing inside the onahole you lost at the back of your cupboard — are formed from condensed human desires.
Rival factions now fight to claim the power within these Palmer crystals, using mining mechs reequipped for battle. That’s right, this robot’s powered by love, baby. And lust, hate, and all those other emotions we’ve been bottling up for fear of being canceled.
Dark Machine The Game Versus Dark Machine: The Animation
Rewatching the game and anime trailers for the franchise has left me mostly confused.
The anime follows Kairi, who meets a troublesome girl, Rudora, and gets tangled in the esports world of Dark Machine. But is Kairi playing more than a game? You’ll have to find out just how high the stakes really are.
The Dark Machine franchise is an original work that already includes a manga (launched in September this year), and now Dark Machine: The Animation (October 14, on Fuji TV, Kansai TV, and BS Fuji). The game, likely the real moneymaker, arrives in 2027.
How much of a money maker? We’ll have to see. Dark Machine The Game is built for Web3 and uses blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. If you prefer your gaming to be NFT-free, then turn away now. The anime and game’s overt references to greed and ego seem too close to reality for my comfort.
The Cast and Crew of Dark Machine: The Animation
Kensho Ono (Canute from Vinland Saga Season 2) voices Kairi. His Grandfather left him with a mission before he died: find Senki.
Senki is the username of the strongest Dark Machine player. Real name: Ajima (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura, who voiced Togusa in the most recent remake of Ghost in the Shell).
Miyuki Sawashiro (Chibi Biollante from Chibi Godzilla Raids Again) voices Rudora. She also voiced Logicoma in Ghost in the Shell: Arise.
Do Animators and Game Studios Share Assets?
All those pretty mecha assets from the game have been brought to screen under the direction of Kazumi Terada, at studio Production +h. Sugizo (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin — Advent of the Red Comet) produced the soundtrack, which is a good sign because Sugizo’s visual-kei aesthetic gives me every confidence that his music will rawk! Like a dentist with good teeth, you need a music guy with slick hair.
Watch Dark Machine if you like big robot battles and aren’t too worried about your wallet being drawn into the fight. Dark Machine: The Animation streams on Crunchyroll.
Is it just me that hyperventilates when I see a colon missing? Dark Machine The Game lacks the two dots Dark Machine: The Animation has, which is as inconspicuous a detail as having your fly (zipper) down when walking past the drunken survivors of a hen party. Tell us about the weirdest anime title formatting you’ve seen.
Sources: Official Website, ANN, and Steam.
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Great news: J-List has started a new sale giving you 18% off all DVDs, Blu-rays, and Nintendo Switch games. That means an instant 18% off all imported anime Blu-rays, sexy live-action JAV titles, hentai anime, and region-free anime games for your Nintendo Switch! Browse all sale products now!
