Original anime fans, keep this one on your radar: Vertex Force is officially set to debut this October, and the first details already make the pitch very clear — cute girls, mechanical design, and a creator who knows exactly what lane he wants to drive in.
The newly revealed original TV anime comes from Kazuhiro Takamura, the director known for Strike Witches and Vividred Operation. According to the anime’s official website, Vertex Force has now shown off its teaser visual, teaser promotional video, main staff lineup, and first character details.
For Malaysian and SEA anime fans, this is the kind of project worth watching because it is not adapted from a manga, light novel, or game — it is an original anime. That means nobody can spoil the story in your group chat, Reddit thread, or TikTok comments unless they are literally from the production team. Original shows can be risky, sure, but when they hit, they tend to become the season’s most interesting conversation starters.
Meet Haruka Tōdō
The first character introduced is Haruka Tōdō, a 16-year-old high school girl from Okinawa. She is described as innocent, with her biggest strength being her physical ability.
That setup sounds simple for now, but in a show already teasing mechanical and design-heavy elements, Haruka’s athletic side may be more than just a character trait. Whether she becomes a pilot, fighter, or something weirder, the teaser is clearly positioning her as the first face of the series.
The staff list is very mecha-friendly
Takamura is not just directing Vertex Force at SMDE — he is also handling the character designs and working on the series scripts. That gives the project a strong creator-led identity, which is usually a good sign if you like anime with a specific visual and thematic flavour.
He is overseeing the scripts together with Masashi Suzuki, whose credits include Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King and Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None. Gorō Kuji, known for Chained Soldier and Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise, is serving as assistant director.
The mechanical/design side is where things get extra interesting. Kanetake Ebikawa, who worked on mechanical designs for Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, is credited as the anime’s engine designer. Meanwhile, JNTHED, also linked to The Witch From Mercury and the 2022 Urusei Yatsura, is handling ENIA design.
For animation, Masahito Onoda of Brave Witches and Strike Witches: Road to Berlin is the chief animation director. Music will be composed by Nobuaki Nobusawa, whose credits include Clevatess and Astra Lost in Space.
Why SEA fans should care
October anime seasons are usually stacked, so Vertex Force will need a strong hook to stand out. But the ingredients are there: a director with a clear fondness for girls-and-mecha anime, staff with Gundam-linked design experience, and an original premise that has room to surprise.
For Malaysia, the main question now is where it will stream. If Vertex Force lands on a platform accessible here, it could easily become one of those seasonal shows that anime fans follow weekly just to see where the original story goes. No manga readers, no light novel veterans, no “bro actually in chapter 72” spoilers — just everyone reacting together.
Takamura previously said the anime brings together things he likes: cute girls, cool mecha, and anime itself. Honestly, that is a very direct mission statement. No need to pretend this is deeper than it is right now. If Vertex Force delivers on that combo with solid action and character chemistry, October could have a proper sleeper pick.
Source: Anime News Network