Crunchyroll Announces First Slate of Original Anime Shows
Joining the likes of Netflix and Disney Plus looking to develop more original programs.
Crunchyroll has announced its first slate of upcoming original anime-inspired television shows, ranging from the casual family-friendly affair to dark and gritty themes. Crunchyroll Originals will be co-produced by Crunchyroll Studios alongside some of Japan’s most known animation studios like Production I.G, Telecom Animation Film, and MAPPA.
The move is similar to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu that have made hardy initiatives to produce its own original content instead of relying on licensing deals. As such, Crunchyroll (which is owned by Warner Bros.) has become the first anime streaming service to have its own internal animation studio.
Check out the full list of programming below, with the first four being animated by Crunchyroll Studios:
FreakAngels – Based on the comic series by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield that follows twelve psychic 23-year-olds as they attempt to rebuild society in a post-apocalyptic London.
High Guardian Spice – A series by Raye Rodriguez about four girls who attend the High Guardian Academy in order to become heroes to fight an unknown threat to their world.
Meiji Gekken: Swords & Guns (working title) – Set in 1870, the story follows an ex-samurai, a yakuza bodyguard, a spy, and a geisha assassin as they adapt to the rapidly changing Japan of the Meiji era, when the country moved from a feudal to an industrial society.
Onyx Equinox – Created by Sofia Alexander, it follows a young Aztec boy who is saved from death by the gods in order to prove humanity’s potential.
In/Spectre – A supernatural mystery series set in modern Tokyo about a young woman chosen by spirits to help them resolve the issues that arise between the human and spirit worlds. It is currently airing now in Japan and on Crunchyroll.
Nobleese – A co-production with Webtoon and Production I.G, which provided the animation. The series is based on a comic series published by Webtoon about a vampire who wakes up to modern society after over 800 years.
The God of High School – A high school action series, also published by Webtoon, about a high schooler and his friends who get involved in a tournament where they use the power of gods to battle. The series is being animated by MAPPA.
Tower of God – Based on a fantasy action comic series about a boy battling his way up a mysterious tower. This is another co-production with Webtoon, but with animation from Telecom Animation Film (Lupin the Third: Part 5).
In other entertainment news, Disney and Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars saga: The High Republic.
Learn more about our new originals HERE! https://t.co/GRxkojjVVf What are you most excited for???
🔮 Tower of God
🦇 Noblesse
💥The God of High School
🔎 Meiji Gekken: Sword & Gun
👻 In/Spectre
💀 Onyx Equinox
🍰 High Guardian Spice
💜 FreakAngels pic.twitter.com/hcwDHqomIe— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) February 25, 2020
