At a recent online event, Crunchyroll, a prominent name in the anime industry, unveiled a vast array of new projects and partnerships that are set to excite fans around the globe. Among these announcements is a highly anticipated anime adaptation of the iconic SEGA game series, Shenmue. This collaboration, involving Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, promises to bring the captivating world of Shenmue to life through a new anime series.
Shenmue: A New Adventure in Anime
The upcoming Shenmue anime marks a significant milestone as it is the first-ever digital presentation of Crunchyroll’s flagship anime convention. This new series will follow the journey of Ryo Hazuki, a young martial artist who is on a quest for vengeance after witnessing his father’s murder in their family dojo. Ryo’s pursuit takes him from the streets of Yokosuka, Japan, to the vibrant cityscape of Hong Kong, and beyond, as he uncovers deeper, mystical elements tied to his mission.
Sarah Victor, Crunchyroll’s head of development, expressed excitement about this collaboration: "The original Shenmue game was launched over two decades ago, and we are thrilled to partner with Adult Swim to bring this franchise to the anime format." As production moves forward, fans can expect a thrilling narrative packed with action and adventure.
The anime will consist of 13 episodes and will be directed by Sakurai Chikara, known for his work on popular series like One Punch Man Season 2 and Naruto. Telecom Animation Film will provide the animation, with Sola Entertainment overseeing production management. Additionally, Yu Suzuki, the original creator of the video game, is involved as an executive producer, adding authenticity to the adaptation. Jason DeMarco, Adult Swim’s Senior Vice President and Creative Director, shared his enthusiasm, stating, "We are eager to collaborate with Yu Suzuki to turn his remarkable creation into an epic martial arts anime."
Expanding Partnerships: Food Wars! The Fourth Plate and More
In addition to Shenmue, Crunchyroll announced a partnership with Sentai Filmworks, a leading distributor of anime and related merchandise. This collaboration will kick off with the distribution of several titles, including Food Wars! The Fourth Plate, Ascendance of a Bookworm, Granbelm, and World Trigger. These series will be available in both subtitled and English-dubbed formats, catering to a broad audience of anime fans.
Alden Budill, Crunchyroll’s Head of Global Partnerships and Content Strategy, highlighted the significance of this partnership: "We are excited to expand our collaboration with Sentai and look forward to bringing even more anime to fans in the U.S. and Canada." John Ledford, the CEO of Sentai, added, "Since 2011, we have worked closely with Crunchyroll to deliver exciting content to anime enthusiasts in innovative ways. This new partnership empowers fans to own their favorite Crunchyroll shows on select Blu-ray formats and our acclaimed Premium Box Sets."
Loot Crate Collaboration: Anime Merchandise for Fans
Crunchyroll also revealed an exciting collaboration with Loot Crate, a subscription box service that delivers geek and gamer gear. This partnership will feature two distinct crates: the Crunchyroll Crate and the Limited Edition Mobile Suit Gundam Life Crate.
The monthly Crunchyroll Crate will include an array of merchandise from popular anime series, including the upcoming Crunchyroll Original series Noblesse, as well as fan-favorites like Mob Psycho 100, Welcome to Demon School Iruma-Kun, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Fans can pre-order the Crunchyroll Crate, which is set to ship starting late November or early December, with availability limited to regions outside of Asia and select other territories.
On the other hand, the quarterly Mobile Suit Gundam Life Crate will be a limited edition series comprising eight unique crates. Fans interested in this exclusive offering can sign up at Loot Crate’s website to receive updates on release details and participate in a raffle for a chance to win free Mobile Suit Gundam crates.
Upcoming Anime Titles: What to Expect
In addition to the exciting collaborations and partnerships, Crunchyroll provided a sneak peek at several anime series set to debut soon. Among these is the second season of How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord, which follows the story of a young MMORPG player who finds himself transported to a fantasy world where he becomes a powerful (albeit pretend) demon lord. This season is scheduled to premiere on Crunchyroll in 2021.
Another highly anticipated title is the second season of Dr. STONE, an adventurous series that follows the character Senku as he embarks on a mission to rebuild civilization using the power of science. This new season is expected to be available on Crunchyroll in January 2021, drawing in fans of both science and adventure.
Crunchyroll also highlighted various series coming in October, including the horror anime Jujutsu Kaisen and the Crunchyroll Original series Noblesse, which has generated considerable buzz among anime enthusiasts.
Fans eager to catch up on the announcements from the virtual event can register for a free badge for the Virtual Crunchyroll Expo. The expo will feature streaming content, including the Crunchyroll Industry Panel, which will be available in the V-CRX On-Demand section.
With these exciting developments in the pipeline, Crunchyroll continues to solidify its position as a leading platform for anime enthusiasts, providing a diverse array of content that caters to fans’ varied tastes. The collaborations with renowned partners like Adult Swim, Sentai Filmworks, and Loot Crate signal a commitment to delivering high-quality anime and merchandise, ensuring that fans remain engaged and entertained in the ever-evolving world of anime.
