Human Specimens: Release date news, time, streaming details, cast, and more about the upcoming Prime Video mystery series

Prime Video's upcoming Japanese mystery series Human Specimens, or Ningen Hyohon, is finally set to drop this holiday season. It follows Professor Sakaki, a butterfly researcher who turns six young boys into human specimens. Turns out, one of them is his own son, Itaru.

The series is set to delve deeper into the complex father-son bond and highlight how far someone can go to preserve beauty. The synopsis leaves us with several queries, including: Why does Professor Sakaki partake in such experiments? What made him turn his son into a human specimen? What's the mystery behind such experiments?

To know more about it, catch the premiere of Human Specimens, which is set to drop on December 18, 2025, on Prime Video. So, grab your popcorn bucket and slip into those comfiest PJs to enjoy this psychological Japanese series that will linger in your mind even after the credits roll in.

The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios and is based on Kanae Minato's best-selling novel with the same title. Previously, Minato's novel Confessions was adapted into a film that was Japan's official entry at the 83rd Academy Awards. Ryuichi Hiroki serves as the director, and this is the second time he's working with Kanae Minato after their 2022 film Motherhood.

Human Specimens: Release date and streaming details

Human Specimens is all set to drop on December 18, 2025. All five episodes will be available to stream simultaneously on Prime Video. You'll need an active Prime Video subscription for a seamless watching experience. Prime Video subscription pack prices vary by region. For instance, in the US, a basic Prime Video subscription costs $14.99/month. For students, the rates are slashed to $7.49/month. You'll need a valid ID card to avail this offer. Prime Video also offers a 30-day free trial to new subscribers.

There's no update about the streaming time yet. However, it is expected to be available from 12 am ET onwards. Some shows usually drop the previous evening around 8:00 pm ET, so please keep an eye out to catch the episodes at the earliest.

Cast details

• Hidetoshi Nishijima as Professor Shiro Sakaki, the complex butterfly researcher who turns six boys into human specimens
• Somegoro Ischikawa as Itaru Sakaki as Professor Sakaki's son. The series will explore the complex father-son bond
• Rie Miyazawa as Rumi Ichinose
• Aoi Ito as Anna Ichinose

More about Prime Video's Japanese mystery series Human Specimens

This Japanese psychological series is not designed to be a fast or relaxing watch; it will tap into discomfort. Instead of sudden twists or cliffhangers, the show delves into tense psychological elements. Moreover, Professor Shiro Sakaki's complex character does not straight up portray him as an antagonist. Watch how each episode unravels his complex character. In short, it's a slow burn.

With only five episodes, the series is expected to feel dense and deliberate. Every scene seems important, and there's little to no room for fillers. The butterfly imagery hints at themes such as manipulation, obsession with beauty and preservation, suggesting the series will blur the line between creation and destruction. Here's what director Hiroki revealed about the show in the press release (via Futon Critic),

"This series explores humanity's obsession with beauty through the lens of a complex father-son relationship. The anticipation of how Prime customers will respond to this unique vision fills me with great excitement."

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Also read: Human Specimens cast and characters

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