It has been announced thatShenmue the Animationwill premiere onAdult SwimandCrunchyrollon February 5 at 12:30 AM EST. The English dub will air on Adult Swim as part of Toonami while the subtitled version will stream on Crunchyroll. Adapted from the Sega Dreamcast video game of the same name created byYu Suzuki,Shenmuetells the story of Ryo Hazuki, who studies Hazuki Style Jujitsu under his beloved father. When his father is murdered, Ryo is called upon a journey that will change him forever.
The official trailer begins with showcasing Ryo’s talents in the art of Jujitsu as he wins a match against a pupil. Ryo rejects the offers of his friends to celebrate his win in order to train with his father, but when he arrives at the Hazuki Dojo, he witnesses his father’s murder. He decides he needs to find out why his father was killed, and meets a handful of colorful characters while facing harsh truths. As the trailer progresses, viewers are treated to plenty of action and exciting fight scenes.
Chikara Sakurai, who was behind the second season ofOne Punch Man, will direct the 13-episode series. The voice cast of the English dub includesAustin Tindleas Ryu,Scott Gibbsas Lan Di,Natalie RialasShenhua, Cat Thomasas Nozomi Harasaki, andJeremy Geeas Guizhang Chen.The series is animated by Telecom Animation Film withKensuke Ishikawaas the Chief Animation Director. The scripts for the episodes are written byKento Shimoyamaand the show features original character design fromUdaka.
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The cult favoriteShenmuevideo game first debuted in 1999, making this adaptation over 20 years in the making.Shenmue the Animationalso serves as one of multiple collaborative projects between Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, with other titles includingBlade Runner: Black LotusandFena: Pirate Princess.Since theShenmuevideo game has a strong following, it should be safe to say thatShenmue the Animationshould be just as popular. Check out the official trailer and synopsis below:
“1986, Yokosuka. Ryo Hazuki has trained to master the Hazuki Style Jujitsu under his strict father in the Hazuki Dojo from his childhood. However, one day a mysterious man named Lan Di murders his father and takes the “mirror” his father was protecting. Ryo is determined to find the truth behind his father’s murder, but soon finds himself getting stuck in a war between the underground organizations…. Traveling from Yokosuka to Hong Kong, Ryo’s long journey begins!”
