When you hear that Yūki Kaji — the voice behind Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan and Todoroki in My Hero Academia — is stepping into the shoes of Joe Shimamura, you know something big is happening. And it is happening right now.
Ishimori Production just dropped a bombshell announcement: Cyborg 009: Nemesis, the brand new anime adaptation of Shōtarō Ishinomori’s legendary manga, has officially confirmed its lead voice cast. Yūki Kaji will voice the iconic Cyborg 009 himself, and fans are absolutely losing it. But here is the twist that nobody saw coming — the antagonist group, the Nemesis cyborgs, features a lineup of voice actors so stacked it reads like a who is who of anime royalty.
The Full Nemesis Cast Is Absolutely Stacked
Let us break down this all-star roster, because honestly, it deserves its own standing ovation:
Yūki Kaji as Cyborg 009 / Joe Shimamura — Kaji brings his signature intensity to the role of the half-Japanese, half-German cyborg who can activate his acceleration device via a switch next to his molar, propelling him to the speed of sound. He was born as an ordinary human before being kidnapped and forcibly converted by the Black Ghost cartel.
Yūichi Nakamura as Graviton / Nemesis 009 — The man behind Gojo Satoru and Bruno Bucciarati takes on the role of the Nemesis counterpart to Joe. Nakamura’s ability to shift between calm authority and explosive power makes him the perfect foil to Kaji’s Joe.
Ayane Sakura as Deps — Known for her roles in Assassination Classroom and Haikyuu, Sakura brings her range to this mysterious Nemesis member.
Maaya Uchida as Morphone — The voice of Rikka Takanashi and Kobayashi takes on another complex role that promises to blur the lines between villain and tragic figure.
Shion Wakayama rounds out the announced cast, adding yet another layer of talent to this ensemble. Plus, Rina Hidaka has been revealed as Nemesis 001, bringing her unmistakable emotional depth to what could be one of the most pivotal characters in the entire story.
What Is Cyborg 009: Nemesis About?
For those who need a refresher — Cyborg 009 is one of the most important manga and anime franchises in Japanese history, created by the legendary Shōtarō Ishinomori, the same mind behind Kamen Rider. The story follows nine individuals from different parts of the world who were kidnapped by the sinister Black Ghost organization and forcibly transformed into cyborg weapons. They escaped and now fight against the very people who made them.
Nemesis introduces a new antagonist group — a team of cyborgs that serve as dark mirrors to Joe’s original nine. Each member of the Nemesis group corresponds to one of the original Cyborg 009 members, creating a fascinating parallel that promises epic confrontations. The teaser visual already dropped, and it is giving major vibes of a classic Ishinomori story told with modern animation quality.
Summer 2026 Can Not Arrive Fast Enough
Cyborg 009: Nemesis is confirmed for a Summer 2026 streaming debut in Japan. The announcement also revealed that singer-songwriter Kyoko, known for her work on Boogiepop and Other Stories, will handle the music — which is honestly the cherry on top of an already perfect announcement.
The timing could not be better. With the anime industry currently riding a wave of nostalgia-meets-modern productions, seeing a legendary property like Cyborg 009 get this treatment with a cast of this caliber is exactly what fans needed. Think of it like the Witch Hat Atelier effect — a beloved property getting the premium treatment it deserves.
Why This Matters for Anime in 2026
The casting of Yūki Kaji as Joe Shimamura is significant not just because of his talent, but because of what it signals. Ishimori Production is clearly going for a modern audience while respecting the legacy of the original. Kaji’s range — from emotional vulnerability to raw determination — mirrors exactly what makes Joe Shimamura such a compelling character.
Combined with Nakamura as the antagonist Graviton, this creates a voice acting matchup that fans have been dreaming about. Imagine the scenes where Joe and Graviton finally face off — Kaji’s passion versus Nakamura’s controlled menace. Goosebumps.
With the Nemesis group each receiving powerhouse voice actors, this anime has the potential to be one of the biggest releases of Summer 2026 — rivaling the buzz around Ghost in the Shell 2026 and the ongoing Devil May Cry Season 2 on Netflix.
What Do You Think?
Are you hyped for Cyborg 009: Nemesis? Does Yūki Kaji make the perfect Joe Shimamura in your opinion? And who are you most excited to see in action — the original Cyborg 009 team or the new Nemesis group? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear from you. The debate is just getting started, and with Summer 2026 approaching, the wait has never felt longer.
