Human Specimens: Everything we know so far about the upcoming Prime Video series starring Nishijima Hidetoshi

Human Specimens, the television adaptation of acclaimed author Kanae Minato's mystery novel, is all set to arrive on Prime Video. The Japanese series will be released across the globe on December 18, 2025.

The psychological thriller revolves around a butterfly researcher. To everyone’s surprise, he reveals that he has used six young boys as human specimens for his research. What adds even more shock value to the lore is that these boys include the researcher’s own son.

Renowned actor Nishijima Hidetoshi is all set to play the lead role in the series. If the premise sounds exciting, here is all you need to know about the upcoming Prime Video original series.

Human Specimens will premiere in December 2025

Human Specimens is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on December 18, 2025. The show will have five episodes, which will be released at the same time. Although it is a Japanese program, the series will be released internationally in over 240 countries on the same day. Viewers can enjoy the show by subscribing to Prime Video, which costs $8.99 per month.

What to expect from Human Specimens?

The show is based on Kanae Minato’s novel, which follows the theme of human obsession with beauty and its preservation. It focuses on Professor Sakaki, a researcher working on butterflies, who admits to using his own son and five other young boys as specimens. In the novel, the narrative moves forward through the perspective of various individuals.

Minato's works are not new to screen adaptation. Her first novel, Confessions, was turned into the eponymous Japanese film in 2010. In 2022, her novel Motherhood was also adapted into a movie. Talking about the Human Specimens series adaptation, Minato released an official statement, which reads:

“As a mystery writer and parent, I challenged myself to tackle ‘filicide’ – perhaps the most difficult theme for me to imagine. It was particularly challenging to express colors and specimen designs through words alone. That’s precisely why I strongly hoped for a visual adaptation, and my wish has been granted in the most wonderful way possible.”

The cast and crew of Human Specimens

The series stars Nishijima Hidetoshi in the role of Professor Sakaki. Hidetoshi shot to global fame with his starring role in the Oscar-nominated Drive My Car. He has also signed up for the English-language film Enemies, co-starring Jeremy Allen White, Austin Butler, and Anna Sawai. His other credits include the movies Serpent's Path, Aircraft Carrier Ibuki, and Genome Hazard, and the shows What Did You Eat Yesterday? and Kamen Rider Black Sun.

Hidetoshi is joined by Ichikawa Somegorô, a well-known name in the Japanese theater circuit, who has expertise in the Kabuki art form. The rest of the cast of the show has not been announced yet.

Hiroki Ryûichi, who previously adapted Kanae Minato’s Motherhood for the big screen, is serving as the director of the Prime Video series. He has also made the films Ride or Die, Marmalade Boy, and Policeman and Me. Ryûichi talked about the theme of Human Specimens in his official statement and said:

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“This series explores humanity’s obsession with beauty through the lens of a complex father-son relationship. The series aims to carefully yet boldly portray a world where love and madness intersect, expressed through butterflies and art.”

For more news and updates about Prime Video shows, stay tuned to SoapCentral.

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