Shenmue: The Animation announced

[Reprise]

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

It has been announced that the 13 part series will focus on the first two games and will feature new story content and ideas that were cut from the original games due to budget, time restraints and to meet the criteria of the original age ratings.

This series will also not impact on Shenmue 4 (i.e. they're not abandoning games in favour of telling the story through the medium of anime).

https://www.eurogamer.net/amp/2020-09-0 ... -announced

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If it's a redo of Shenmue 1 at least one episode will be dedicated to Ryo standing alone in the rain waiting for the tattoo parlor to open.

[Note]

Woah, surprised to see this announcement. As a big fan of the first two games (I've yet to play the third but looking forward to it), I'm glad to see more resources being put into the franchise and perhaps the games will get more exposure through the anime.

Maybe we'll actually get a Shenmue 4 and eventually a conclusion to the story.

[Reprise]

I'm glad to see more resources being put into the franchise and perhaps the games will get more exposure through the anime.

Maybe we'll actually get a Shenmue 4 and eventually a conclusion to the story.

It sounds like that's the plan. What's interesting about this is, unlike Shenmue 3, both Sega and Yu Suzuki are involved in this anime and are collaborating together. That could be a good sign... Let's hope the anime is good and proves popular (if you check the credits, it seems to be in safe hands!)

[fastbilly1]

How much will be Lucky Hit?

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[Blu]

I am excited for this. I feel like it's less of a financial investment than making another video game. I'd much rather forget about the mediocrity that Shenmue 3 is. So I'm curious to see how this will pan out.