  We study here the interaction of $D \bar D^*$ in the isospin $I=1$ channel in
the light of recent theoretical advances that allow to combine elements of the
local hidden gauge approach with heavy quark spin symmetry. We find that the
exchange of light $q \bar q$ is OZI suppressed and, thus, we concentrate on the
exchange of heavy vectors and of two pion exchange. The latter is found to be
small compared to the exchange of heavy vectors, which then determines the
strength of the interaction. A barely $D\bar{D}^*$ bound state decaying into
$\eta_c\rho$ and $\pi J/\psi$ is found. At the same time we reanalyze the data
of the BESIII experiment on $e^+ e^- \to \pi^{\pm} (D \bar D^*)^\mp$, from
where a $Z_c(3885)$ state was claimed, associated to a peak in the $(D \bar
D^*)^\mp$ invariant mass distribution close to threshold, and we find the data
compatible with a resonance with mass around $3875$ MeV and width around $30$
MeV. We discuss the possibility that this and the $Z_c(3900)$ state found at
BESIII, reconfirmed at 3896 MeV at Belle, or 3885 MeV at CLEO, could all be the
same state and correspond to the one that we find theoretically.
