The fourth installment of Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari: FOD Special — a series of all-new original episodes from the long-running anthology drama franchise — has begun streaming on FOD. The episode, titled “Jinken Gyakuten Saiban” (“Human Rights Reversal Trial”), launched on September 26 at 9:00 p.m. Japan time.
Plot: An AI on Trial
The episode centers on Kanzaki, a presiding judge tasked with an unprecedented case: the defendant is Arete, an AI-equipped smart speaker that has confessed to committing murder — and is now demanding human rights. The role of Judge Kanzaki is played by Ichihara Hayato (市原隼人).
A First in Series History: An AI Voice Character
The episode marks a milestone for the franchise with the appearance of Bon Soyogi (梵そよぎ) as the series’ very first AI voice character. Bon Soyogi’s voice was generated using the voice of prominent voice actor Kaji Yuki (梶裕貴) as its foundation, with the audio refined through repeated adjustments before filming began. Ichihara performed the majority of his scenes reacting to Arete’s disembodied voice on set — a challenge that demanded intense concentration and imagination.
Comments from the Cast and Director
Ichihara Hayato (as Kanzaki): “It has been 17 years since I last appeared in Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari. This work tackles a theme none of us in the modern age can escape — the harder you search for answers, the further away they seem. Can you imagine the day when a cold, inorganic AI gains humanity? Is your sense of self already in the hands of AI? To prepare for the role of presiding judge, I visited an actual courthouse and had the opportunity to think deeply about the raw reality of human society. I hope everyone enjoys the world of Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari.”
Kinoshita Takao (Director): “AI is evolving at a breathtaking pace. So what happens when an AI confesses to murder and demands human rights? One man — a judge sworn to uphold the law — must face it head-on. Almost all of Ichihara’s performance was directed at a machine, requiring extraordinary tension and imagination. The courtroom showdown between the two will surely leave viewers stunned. Did the AI truly commit murder? And what verdict will the judge deliver?”
Broadcast Schedule
Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari: FOD Special releases new episodes on the final Saturday of each month at 9:00 p.m. on FOD, running from June 2026 through May 2027.
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