It looks like the Shenmue: The Animation is a real thing thanks to Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, as they have announced that they are teaming up to distribute the production outside of Japan and mainland China on the Crunchyroll and Adult Swim platforms.
The series is set to have 13 episodes and chronicles the adventures of Ryo Hazuki as he finds his father’s murderer. According to the press release you will visit Yokosuka and Hong Kong metropolis. So it looks like the first season is going to cover all of the first game and probably some of the sequel.
Hit the jump for the press release:
Ad:At the iconic annual “Virtual Crunchyroll Expo” (held for the first time in digital format), Crunchyroll announced the new partnership with the Adult Swim platform for the production of “Shenmue” – an original anime series based on the franchise of the beloved counterpart game SEGA.
This co-production will be broadcast globally outside of Japan and mainland China on the Crunchyroll and Adult Swim platforms.
“The first Shenmue video game was released more than 20 years ago and we are excited to work with Adult Swim again to bring this franchise to life through the anime series. We look forward to showing our fans more of this action-packed adventure series, ”said Sarah Victor, head of Crunchyroll Development.
Shenmue is a 13-episode anime series that chronicles the adventure of Ryo Hazuki. After witnessing his father’s murder, Ryo dedicates his life to searching for the killer – a mission that takes him from the Japanese streets of Yokosuka to beyond the Hong Kong metropolis. In search of revenge, he will soon find out that mystical forces are involved, and in the meantime he is training to become an expert in martial arts.
“The Shenmue world is fascinating and unique, and we’re excited to work with Yu Suzuki (the game’s creator) to turn his epic creation into anime and make bestial martial arts,” said Jason DeMarco, creative director of Adult Swim.
The production of Crunchyroll and Adult Swim “Shenmue” is directed by Sakurai Chikara in the Telecom Animation Film studios, managed by Sola Entertainment. Video game creator Yu Suzuki is also on the team as executive producer.
Recent collaborations between Crunchyroll and Adult Swim include “Fena – Pirate Princess” and “Blade Runner – Black Lotus”. Fans eager to see the launch announcement can register for a free Virtual Crunchyroll Expo badge on crunchyrollexpo.com and can access the Crunchyroll Industry Panel in the V-CRX On-Demand section
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About time!
About time!!
What in the Goddamned.?! I… I’m at a Loss for words…
Aw man…
I wish we had cable.
Great news ! Especially since Telecom Animation is asubsidiary of TMS which is owned by Sega Holding. Means that Sega continues supporting the Shenmue IP.
This could be a fail-safe to make sure that the entire story is told just in case we never see Shenmue 4. It also looks like an investment that is likely to be profitable. Nice.
I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much here.
The first season will be great.
The second even better.
The third season will be a letdown.
Leading to the 4th season(and ultimate conclusion to the entire story) being cancelled.
Tis the way of the Shenmue.