Vertex Force, the brand-new original mecha anime from Strike Witches director Kazuhiro Takamura, arrives with its first episode on October 3, 2026. The series is an original story set in Okinawa, following a middle school boy named Akira Todo whose peaceful life with his older sister Haruka and their café-running mother is shattered when mysterious enemies appear around the world.
Produced by animation studio SMDE, the show marks Takamura’s return to original television anime after years of working on established franchises. Crunchyroll is streaming the series internationally as part of its Fall 2026 simulcast lineup, with U-NEXT handling domestic streaming in Japan.
Vertex Force Episode 1 Release Date and Exact Streaming Time for Global Viewers
Vertex Force episode 1 premieres in Japan on October 3, 2026, at 11:30 PM JST on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV. The series follows a weekly Saturday broadcast schedule. Episode 1 is titled “Engine Start” (エンジン始動).
International viewers can watch the episode on Crunchyroll the same day. The episode arrives on the platform with English subtitles available from the simulcast release. Here is the exact release schedule across major regions and time zones:
- USA and Canada (Eastern Time): October 3 at 10:30 a.m. EDT
- USA and Canada (Pacific Time): October 3 at 7:30 a.m. PDT
- United Kingdom, Portugal, Ghana (BST/GMT): October 3 at 3:30 p.m. BST
- Central Europe, Spain, Italy, Poland, France, Germany (CEST): October 3 at 4:30 p.m. CEST
- India (IST): October 3 at 8:00 p.m. IST
- Japan and South Korea (JST/KST): October 3 at 11:30 p.m. JST
- Australia (AEST): October 4 at 12:30 a.m. AEST
- Brazil (BRT): October 3 at 11:30 a.m. BRT
Japanese viewers can also stream the episode on U-NEXT and other domestic services from the same day. The series has an English dub confirmed as part of Crunchyroll’s Fall 2026 lineup, though the dubbed version’s premiere date has not been announced.
How and Where to Watch Vertex Force Worldwide
Crunchyroll is the primary international streaming platform for Vertex Force. The anime is part of the platform’s Fall 2026 simulcast season, which includes over 40 new and returning titles. Subscribers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, India, and most European countries can access the simulcast through the Crunchyroll app and website.
English subtitles are available from episode 1. The series will receive an English dub in the future, alongside German and other language dubs, though specific dub premiere dates remain unconfirmed.
Japanese viewers can watch on Tokyo MX and affiliated stations, as well as on U-NEXT and other streaming services. The anime’s official website and social media channels provide broadcast schedule updates.
For viewers in India, Crunchyroll confirmed the series will stream in the region starting October 3. The platform has been steadily expanding its simulcast offerings in India, and Vertex Force joins a growing list of Fall 2026 titles available to Indian subscribers.
Vertex Force Anime Overview: Story, Cast and Production Team
Vertex Force is an original television anime created and directed by Kazuhiro Takamura, known for directing Strike Witches and Vividred Operation. The series is produced by animation studio SMDE, which previously handled 3DCG work for the Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion series. Takamura also designed the characters, with Goro Kuji serving as assistant director.
The story follows Akira Todo, a middle school student living in northern Okinawa with his older sister Haruka and their mother, who runs a café. The family holds a secret: Haruka inherited a special power called “Engine” from their father and has lived her life hiding it from others. Akira, however, did not inherit this power, and he carries a deep sense of inferiority about his own weakness. When strange events begin occurring worldwide and unknown enemies close in, Haruka activates her Engine to protect Akira, setting the stage for a battle that will determine the fate of the universe.
The main cast includes:
- Makoto Koichi as Akira Todo — a 13-year-old middle schooler who struggles with feelings of powerlessness
- Kaede Hondo as Haruka Todo — Akira’s older sister, who possesses the “Engine” power and protects her brother
- Ami Koshimizu as Eleanor Northbrook — a key character connected to the global crisis
- Megumi Han as Lala Zudenstein — another central figure in the unfolding conflict
- Rie Takahashi as Nishina Yoko — a character tied to the mysterious events
- Kazuki Ura as Alan — a newly revealed cast member
- Nana Mizuki as EDVA — another newly announced addition to the cast
The production team includes Kazuhiro Takamura and Masashi Suzuki handling series composition, Kanetake Ebikawa on Engine design, JNTHED on ENIA design, Hiroyuki Tadokoro as CG director, Masahito Onoda as chief animation supervisor, Ryoka Kinoshita as art director, and Nobuaki Nobusawa composing the music. ClariS performs the opening theme “Synchro Blue,” while Hashimero performs the ending theme “Emerald.”
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Vertex Force Episode 1 Preview and Character Story Progress
Episode 1, titled “Engine Start,” opens with the daily life of Akira Todo in northern Okinawa. The middle schooler lives with his older sister Haruka and their mother, who runs a local café. The family appears ordinary on the surface, but a secret runs beneath their peaceful routine.
Haruka has inherited a special ability called “Engine” from her father. She has spent her life hiding this power from others. Akira, on the other hand, did not inherit the Engine power. This difference creates a deep sense of inferiority in him, as he is constantly protected by his sister while feeling powerless himself.
The episode establishes this sibling dynamic before the larger conflict arrives. Akira’s feelings of inadequacy and his reliance on Haruka form the emotional core of the first episode.
The turning point comes when communication failures suddenly occur across the world. Strange events begin unfolding globally, and the crisis reaches Akira and Haruka directly. With danger approaching, Haruka activates her inherited Engine power to protect Akira. The activation of the Engine marks the beginning of the series’ central conflict: a battle that will decide the fate of the universe.
The episode’s title, “Engine Start,” directly refers to this moment. The first episode ends with the siblings thrust into a conflict far larger than their quiet life in Okinawa, and Akira facing the reality that his sister’s power may be the key to everything.
English subtitles are available for episode 1 on Crunchyroll from the simulcast release. The Japanese audio features the original voice cast, with Makoto Koichi voicing Akira and Kaede Hondo voicing Haruka.
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