Netflix aims to grow even further as a global streaming service as it adds five new original Netflix anime shows. Leading the pack is the adaptation of Pacific Rim produced by Legendary Entertainment (known for Kong: Skull Island,).
The series looks to resume the grand battle of Kaiju and Jeagers. The original anime series will expand upon the story of the first two live-action movies and follow an idealistic teenage boy and his naive younger sister. Both are left to pilot an abandoned Jaeger through a vicious landscape in dire attempts to find there missing parents. The series will be run by co-showrunners Craig Kyle (known for writing Thor: Ragnarok) and Greg Johnson (writer of many Marvel series such as X-Men: Evolution).
In addition, Altered Carbon will have a feature anime set in the same universe as the live-action series that has its second season currently filming. The anime film will explore new elements of the story mythology, and is written by Dai Sato (Cowboy Bebop) and Tsukasa Kondo, with Japan’s Anima studio producing.
LeSean Thomas (The Boondocks) is set as creator, director, and producer of a war-torn series set in Japan called Yasuke. The story follows a retired ronin that comes out of retirement when tasked with transporting an aloof child that dark forces want to exterminate. It is based on a historical samurai of African origin who fought with Oda Nobunaga.
The series Cagaster of an Insect Cage is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the puzzling Cagaster disease is transforming citizens into giant murderous insects. The series’ story follows a young couple as they get pushed to the edge to survive. It is directed by Koichi Chigira (Last Exile) and produced by animation studio Gonzo (Afro Samurai).
Trese is the final Netflix anime original which is birth from the mythical creatures of Philippine folklore that live in hiding among humans in Manila. The series is based on the Philippine graphic novel of the same name and looks to follow a woman that finds herself take on the supernatural criminal underworld. Consequently, Netflix aims to fuse culture with complex storytelling with this and the other series.
As the Netflix executive responsible for anime and based in Japan Taito Okiura said, “At Netflix, we have chosen to focus on high-concept anime with global travel prospects. This is a really big commitment. And the prosperity of Netflix’s anime shows has to be aligned with the prosperity of Japanese anime generally.” With a great focus and an amazing set of 5 anime shows, Netflix is definitely pushing itself to further pass its other streaming rivals globally.
