There’s an Anime Where Hitler Turns Into a Loli, and it’s Coming to Crunchyroll
Petals of Reincarnation anime adaptation brings reincarnated historical figures like Adolf Hitler as a young elite fighter to HIDIVE in April 2026, blending supernatural action with themes of talent and identity.
Here’s the TL;DR...
The series adapts Mikihisa Konishi’s manga about people gaining powers from past lives, pitting “greats” against “sinners.”
Adolf Hitler reincarnates as an androgynous child soldier in the antagonists’ ranks, alongside figures like Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton.
Animation by Benten Film, directed by Shun Kudō, premieres April 2026 with HIDIVE as the exclusive U.S. streamer.
Features voice talents like Shōya Chiba as protagonist Tōya Senji and Haruka Shiraishi as Einstein.
Themes explore self-worth, morality, and the burden of inherited legacies in high-stakes battles.
What is the premise of Petals of Reincarnation?
Tōya Senji starts as a high schooler plagued by feelings of mediocrity next to his brilliant brother. He crosses paths with classmate Haito Luo Buffett, who wields sword skills from her past life as Miyamoto Musashi. This pulls Tōya into a world where “Returners” revive talents from history by using a mystical branch that requires a throat slit to activate.
The story splits Returners into two camps. The Forest of the Greats recruits benevolent reincarnates to protect society. Their rivals, the Sinners, harness infamous villains for chaos.
Who are the key reincarnated characters in Petals of Reincarnation?
Albert Einstein appears as a combat specialist voiced by Haruka Shiraishi, handling fights and logistics with a noted aversion to men. Isaac Newton, played by Kaito Ishikawa, brings analytical prowess and shouts apple varieties when hit. Florence Nightingale, voiced by Reina Ueda, serves as the group’s healer with her bangs hiding her eyes.
Julius Caesar joins the mix as a strategic mind. On the darker side, Adolf Hitler reincarnates into a young, gender-ambiguous body with the talent “Master Mind” for omniscient battlefield awareness. Hitler partners with Pol Pot in the Sinners, targeting Returners who’ve lost control to their petals.
Other figures include John von Neumann as a leader, Jubei Mitsuyoshi Yagyu as a katana-wielding eyepatch wearer voiced by Marina Inoue, and Hiroshi Funasaka as a stoic operative voiced by Shūgo Nakamura.
How does the reincarnation system work in the anime?
Returners access talents by bonding with the Branch of Reincarnation, which manifests as petals symbolizing past lives. This grants supernatural abilities tied to the historical figure’s expertise, like Einstein’s physics-based attacks or Newton’s calculations in combat.
Prolonged use risks personality overwrite, blurring the line between current self and past identity. The narrative tracks Tōya’s growth as he copies others’ talents without full reincarnation, dodging that danger.
What makes Petals of Reincarnation controversial?
The manga’s inclusion of real tyrants like Hitler as antagonists draws fire for humanizing or trivializing history. Hitler’s child-like form amplifies debates on taste in fiction. Creator Mikihisa Konishi frames it as exploring morality, but critics argue it risks insensitivity.
Fans defend it as satirical action, noting the series condemns the Sinners’ actions. Over three million manga copies sold in Japan suggest strong appeal despite backlash.
Who is behind the production of Petals of Reincarnation?
Shun Kudō directs at Benten Film, formerly Gaina. Atsuo Ishino handles series composition, with Haruna Katō on character designs supervised by Sayaka Ono. Kohta Yamamoto composes the music, known from Attack on Titan.
Action directors include Kentarō Azuma, with animators like Takashi Hashimoto. Sound direction by Yukio Nagasaki, and Pony Canyon produces the music. HIDIVE co-produces, ensuring English subs.
What are the theme songs for Petals of Reincarnation?
Opening track “Glitch” comes from singer eill, setting a high-energy tone. Ending “Zero” by Sizuk adds emotional depth. Both debuted in the latest promo video.
The soundtrack builds on Yamamoto’s orchestral style for epic clashes.
When and where can you watch Petals of Reincarnation?
Debut hits Japanese TV in April 2026. HIDIVE streams it exclusively in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand with English subtitles.
No Crunchyroll confirmation yet, despite early rumors. Episodes drop weekly during the spring season.
How does the anime compare to the original manga?
The manga, serialized since 2014 in Monthly Comic Blade, spans 20 volumes with ongoing chapters. It delves deeper into philosophical undertones, like identity erosion from talents.
The anime condenses this for TV, emphasizing visuals in fights. Trailers show fluid animation in swordplay and talent clashes, staying faithful to Konishi’s art.
What voice actors star in Petals of Reincarnation?
Shōya Chiba voices Tōya, bringing nuance from roles in 86 -Eighty Six-. Wakana Maruoka as Haito draws from her work in The Eminence in Shadow. Ayane Sakura plays von Neumann, channeling her energy from My Hero Academia.
Supporting cast includes seasoned performers like Inoue and Ishikawa for authenticity in battles.
Is Petals of Reincarnation suitable for all audiences?
Rated for mature themes, it includes violence, self-harm references from the reincarnation ritual, and historical sensitivities. Supernatural elements mix with gore in fights.
Best for teens and up who enjoy dark fantasy like Fate series or Drifters, but approach with caution on controversial aspects.
How long will Petals of Reincarnation run?
Episode count unconfirmed, but likely 12-13 for a single cour, covering early arcs. Potential for more if popular, given the manga’s length.
HIDIVE’s involvement hints at multi-season plans if viewership surges.
What other anime are similar to Petals of Reincarnation?
Drifters reincarnates warriors into fantasy wars. Fate/Stay Night summons historical heroes as servants. Nobunagun arms descendants with ancestor powers.
All share reimagined history in action, but Petals stands out with modern settings and moral dilemmas.
Petals of Reincarnation wraps its wild concept in sharp action and character depth, spotlighting how past sins shape present fights. As streaming expands anime access, this could spark global talks on history in fiction—watch for its April 2026 drop on HIDIVE to see if it blooms or wilts under scrutiny.
Hat Tips
Anime News Network / “Petals of Reincarnation TV Anime Reveals April Debut, More Cast, Theme Song Artists in Promo Video” / January 17, 2026
Crunchyroll News / “Petals of Reincarnation Anime Reveals More Cast, Theme Songs, April 2026 Premiere in New Trailer and Visual” / January 17, 2026
HIDIVE News / “HIDIVE Unveils Petals of Reincarnation Anime Adaptation as Newest Co-Production” / July 21, 2025
Reincarnation no Kaben Wiki / “Adolf Hitler” / Accessed January 19, 2026
CBR / “The Next Big Isekai Anime Is Already Too Controversial For Its Own Good” / September 5, 2025
Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 19, 2026 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED.
Fascinating piece! The choice to make Hitler's reincarnation androgynous adds such an intresting layer to the shows exploration of identity versus past actions. It really underscores how the series is asking if we're defined by our history or our present choices. I'm curious how audiences will recieve this bold creative decision.