What happened
Cyborg 009: Nemesis has cast Yuu Hayashi as Cyborg 008 / Pyunma, slotting into the ensemble lineup ahead of the show's summer 2026 streaming debut. The series is produced by Ishimori Production, with Arect as the animation studio.
Context
The anime adapts Shōtarō Ishinomori's 1964 manga Cyborg 009 — one of the foundational seinen superhero properties — focusing on the original premise: nine cyborg soldiers built by the Black Ghost organization rebel against their creators to prevent a global war.
Cyborg 009 has been adapted multiple times since the manga ended in 1981, including a 1968 black-and-white anime, the 1979 and 2001 series, and the 2012 Cyborg 009: Re:Cyborg film. Nemesis is the first major TV-length adaptation in over a decade, and the first to be produced after Ishimori Production's 2025 push to revisit founder Ishinomori's catalogue.
Key staff and cast
- Lead voice (Joe Shimamura / 009): Yūki Kaji
- Cyborg 008 / Pyunma: Yuu Hayashi (newly announced)
- Director: Hideki Ambo
- Character designer: sanorin
- Screenwriters: Atsuhiro Tomioka, CHARATEX
- Studio: Arect
The antagonist organization Nemesis is cast with high-profile names: Yūichi Nakamura, Ayane Sakura, and Kikuko Inoue are listed among its members, suggesting Ishimori Production is leaning on bench depth to anchor the new arc.
The theme song deep cut
The opening, "Taga Tame ni," is performed by Kyōko of Barbee Boys — a deliberate callback. The song originated on the 1979 Cyborg 009 anime, and its lyrics were written by Ishinomori himself. Pulling it back as the OP for Nemesis signals the project is positioning itself as a heritage adaptation, not a reboot that wants to distance itself from earlier versions.
What to watch for
Ishimori Production has not yet announced an international streaming partner. Past Ishimori-led works have rolled out via Crunchyroll in the West, but no confirmation yet for Nemesis. Expect the licensing announcement in the weeks before the summer broadcast window opens.