Scarlet Nexus (TV series)

Sunrise

Industry	Animation, Television production
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Anime television series

Scarlet Nexus is a Japanese anime TV series adapted from the video game sharing its title. Created by Sunrise, the show was broadcast between July and December 2021.

Plot

Set in an alternate near-future world, society and technology evolve through substances derived from the human brain, enabling extrasensory abilities. The Other Suppression Force (OSF) enlists individuals possessing these powers to defend humanity against mindless creatures known as the Others, which emerge from the Extinction Belt.

Characters

Yuito is the younger son of the distinguished Sumeragi family. Motivated by an OSF soldier who saved him during childhood, he joins the OSF. His gravikinesis allows him to manipulate objects around him. Despite limited natural talent, he compensates through teamwork and expertise with a sword. Serving in Seto Platoon, Yuito learns he was initially powerless—a "dud"—and subjected to experiments to acquire abilities. His powers inflict brain damage controlled temporarily by a drug made from human brains and blood. Upon exposing governmental corruption, he defects with his platoon and collaborates with Kasane’s unit to counter Togetsu’s schemes. After enduring betrayals and conflict, Yuito reveals New Himuka’s corruption, igniting a revolution. Gravely wounded by Karen Travers' power theft, he is rescued through combined efforts and eventually resigns from OSF to enter politics.

Kasane is an elite OSF operative wielding gravikinesis and adopted by the Randall family. She is deeply committed to safeguarding her sister Naomi. Assigned to Kyoka Platoon, she once saved Yuito as a child. When Naomi becomes an Other and is captured by Seiran, Kasane is disowned but seeks a method to restore her sister. She discovers her origin as a genetically engineered Design Child created by Togetsu to control red strings of time and space. Captured but later freed alongside Yuito’s platoon, she endeavors to unite factions against Togetsu. Following Naomi’s death and revelations about their shared mother, Kasane joins a lunar exploration initiative after helping seal the Kunad Gate.

Arashi serves as an OSF soldier endowed with hypervelocity (super-speed). Despite his lethargic nature, he maintains a lively public persona.

Gemma possesses sclerokinesis (body hardening) as an OSF soldier. Though appearing youthful, he is over 50 years old due to anti-aging medication mandated for OSF members.

Yuito’s childhood companion and fellow OSF member with pyrokinesis (fire manipulation), assigned to Seto Platoon.

Born in Togetsu, this OSF soldier has invisibility powers. Initially a messenger for Togetsu's faith, he defects from their plan to alter history and assists Yuito’s father before passing away. After Kunad Gate’s closure, he is reassigned to dismantle Togetsu’s faith and participate in lunar exploration.

Captain of Kasane’s platoon with duplication abilities. Originally serving as a double agent for Togetsu, she switches allegiance after learning she is a Design Child derived from Dr. Hitoyo Pope’s cells.

A teleporting OSF Serpentrion and younger sibling of Karen Travers. Opposing Karen’s extremist goals, he aids in halting Togetsu's plans and is promoted to regiment commander following the Kunad Gate incident.

An electrokinesis user in Kyoka’s platoon who admires Seto. Elevated to squad commander after the crisis.

A member of Seto’s platoon gifted with clairvoyance.

Yuito’s closest friend possessing aerokinesis (wind manipulation), part of Seto Platoon. Traumatized by Naomi's transformation into an Other and hospitalized for personality rehabilitation, he is brainwashed by New Himuka forces into battling Yuito multiple times before dying during their final encounter.

Biological daughter of the Randall family and Kasane’s adoptive elder sister with precognition abilities. Shot during deployment, she becomes an Other and is taken by Seiran for research involving psionic brain medicines that temporarily preserve her humanity. Ultimately sacrifices herself protecting Kasane.

A Septentrion Major General within OSF wielding cryokinesis (ice control), Arashi's younger brother. Childhood friend of Karen and Luka; engaged to Alice before her conversion into an Other. Joins the fight against Karen's radical plans; Karen later sacrifices himself, erasing memories of his existence including Fubuki's.

A Septentrion Major General known as a "brain eater," capable of copying others' psionic powers through touch. Disenchanted with New Himuka's government, he allies with Seiran under false pretenses aiming to harness red strings’ power held by Yuito and Kasane to reverse time and save Alice from a previous life. His actions cause severe brain damage to Yuito. Eventually surrenders after merging with AI Arahabaki and sacrifices himself to close the Kunad Gate, erasing all memories except those of Yuito and Kasane.

Seto Platoon's Operator and Wataru's twin brother sharing telepathic abilities.

{{nihongo|Haruka Frazer|ハルカ・フレイザー|}

Kyoka Platoon's Operator and Wataru's twin sister gifted with telepathy.

{{nihongo|Seto Narukami|セト・ナルカミ|}

A Major in OSF commanding Yuito and Nagi's platoon with electrokinesis powers. Renowned for dedication and sacrifice during Karen's revolution on Kunad Highway where he dies protecting Yuito and Kasane.

{{nihongo|Kaito Sumeragi|}

OSF Chief and Yuito's older brother committed to eliminating humans on the Moon following Yakumo Sumeragi's wishes. Plans to weaponize Yuito but is arrested after Kunad Gate closure for crimes against humanity.

{{nihongo|Joe Sumeragi|}

Chairman of New Himuka Government and father of Yuito and Kaito. Initially opposes Yuito joining OSF but reconciles before being killed by Others during Seiran's uprising.

Broadcast

On March 18, 2021, Sunrise announced an anime TV adaptation, which was made available for streaming outside Asia via Funimation. After Sony completed its acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was transferred to the Crunchyroll platform. In South and Southeast Asia, the anime's distribution rights were secured by Medialink. The show was directed by Hiroyuki Nishimura, with scripts crafted by Yōichi Katō, Toshizō Nemoto, and Akiko Inoue. Character design responsibilities were shared between Nishimura and Yuji Ito, while the musical score was composed by Hironori Anazawa. The broadcast period spanned from July 1 through December 23, 2021.

For episodes 1 through 13, the opening theme was "Red Criminal" performed by The Oral Cigarettes, who also provided the theme song "Dream In Drive" for the game. The ending theme during this segment was "Fire" by Yamato(.S). From episode 14 to 26, the opening switched to "MACHINEGUN" by The Oral Cigarettes, and the closing theme became "Stranger," performed by Ayumu Imazu.

The English-language dub debuted on Funimation’s streaming platform on August 5, 2021.