HELL MODE comes to HIDIVE in Winter 2026
Forthcoming isekai action series HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing (aka HELL MODE) has found its streaming home.
Revealed today, anime streaming service HIDIVE will air the show as part of its Winter 2026 lineup. A new English-subbed trailer can be seen here. The anime is based on Hamuo’s light novel series of the same name.
John Ledford, President of HIDIVE said this about the show:
“We’re thrilled to announce that the anime adaptation of the wildly successful HELL MODE light novel series will be part of HIDIVE’s Winter 2026 slate. Fans will not want to miss a minute of this exciting new isekai action anime when it premieres as an exclusive simulcast series on HIDIVE in January. HELL MODE is sure to be a hit with audiences this winter!”
A synopsis of the show reads:
Thirty-five-year-old Kenichi Yamada has spent his life playing every single MMORPG he can get his hands on. Tired of new games that cater to casual players, he leaps at the chance to try out a never-ending game with an intimidating “Hell Mode” that raises the difficulty (and chances to level up) to impossible heights. But, as soon as he selects the “Summoner,” Kenichi finds himself transported into the world of the game and reborn to a family of serfs as a baby named Allen! With nothing but his memories and wits to guide him, Allen sets off to conquer Hell Mode, unearth the secrets of the Summoner class, and free his newfound family from their fate.
The anime adaptation is directed by Makoto Tamagawa together with series composition by Daishiro Tanimura, character design by Kei Tsushima and production by Yokohama Animation Lab. The cast of HELL MODE stars Mutsumi Tamura as Allen, Mayu Iizuka as Krena, Tasuku Hatanaka as Dogora, Sayaka Senbongi as Cecil, Hideo Ishikawa as Rodin, Sayaka Ohara as Theresia and Makoto Koichi as Mash.
Episode one of HELL MODE will have its North American premiere at Anime Frontier, which takes place from December 12 through December 14 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. More information about the convention can be found here.
Since 2009, MP3s and NPCs owner Terrance Pryor has written about music, conventions, cosplay, and video games for publications such as AXS, Examiner, Fake Walls, and Ranker. Based out of Los Angeles, the former rock concert promoter/radio host can be seen talking about rock music on AXS TV’s Music’s Greatest Mysteries and discussing music and whatever else on their Black Man Talks Rock channel on YouTube.