The Hell Mode TV anime has received its first trailer ahead of its January 2026 premiere. A key visual was released as well.
Other reveals include the opening theme song (“Haku” by Atarayo) and ending theme song (“Sanctuary” by Kaya), as well as the main staff credits. The latter includes Makoto Tamagawa as director and Yokohama Animation Lab as the animation production studio.
©ハム男／アース・スター エンターテイメント／ヘルモード製作委員会
Hell Mode (Hell Mode ~Yarikomi Suki no Game wa Masettei no Isekai de Musou suru~) is based on the isekai light novel series written by Hamuo and illustrated by Mo. J-Novel Club describes the books’ premise as such:
“‘Level up even while offline’?! That’s not a game on ‘easy mode’—that’s just an AFK game!” The online game Yamada Kenichi had been playing religiously is shutting down its servers, leaving him with a void in his heart. He looks for a new game to fill it, but everything he finds is way too easy. The kind of game he likes—the kind punishing enough to make players want to spend thousands of hours on it—just isn’t around anymore. “What’s this? ‘You are invited to a game that will never end.’” Kenichi stumbles upon an untitled game, one promising incomparable challenge with unprecedented potential. Without hesitation, he selects the “Hell Mode” difficulty. Lo and behold, he finds himself reincarnated in another world as a serf! Now called Allen, he sets out to unlock the secrets of his mystery-laden Summoner class; without the convenience of walkthroughs, game guides, or online forums, he must grope his way to the top of his new world!
The light novel series began in 2020 and will receive its 12th volume on October 16, 2025 JST. It is published under the Earth Star Novel label.
A manga adaptation from the same publisher, drawn by Enji Tetta, also exists. The story started as a Shosetsuka ni Naro web novel in 2019.
Cast
• Mutsumi Tamura as Allen
• Mayu Izuka as Krena
• Tasuku Hatanaka as Dogora
• Sayaka Senbongi as Cecil
Source: Hell Mode anime website
