Genndy Tartakovsky's 2001 animated series "Samurai Jack" is probably one of the best of its era. The series boasted a peculiar and stoic tone, with the title hero (Phil Lamarr) staying quiet for vast blocks of the show. Samurai Jack was lost in the distant future, thanks to the sorcery of a tricky trickster god named Aku, and a lot of the series was devoted to Jack's exploration of strange, new alien settings. "Samurai Jack." also featured a unique, neo-cubist aesthetic; characters didn't have black-line outlines, and backgrounds were often abstract and blocky. Fans will also hasten to add the overwhelmingly awesome action of "Samurai Jack." If one is animating with blocky shapes and abstract backgrounds, the action can be just as stylized. The fight scenes on "Samurai Jack" are the stuff of legend.
"Samurai Jack" ran until 2004, and there had long been plans to adapt the series into a live-action feature film.
"Samurai Jack" ran until 2004, and there had long been plans to adapt the series into a live-action feature film.
- 4/15/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Toonami" debuted on the Cartoon Network in 1997, back when the network was just hitting its stride. Cartoon Network debuted in 1992, and originally offered mostly old animated reruns. It was, for years, the best place to find old Droopy cartoons, as well as Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry cartoons, old DC superhero fare, and reruns of Hanna-Barbera trash like "Scooby-Doo" and "The Flintstones."
In 1994, the network had the brilliant idea to repurpose a largely forgotten Hanna-Barbera character named Space Ghost, transforming him into a talk show host. "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" set a new dadaist tone for the Cartoon Network, proving that it could make hip, self-aware, original content in addition to its blocks of reruns. In 1996 and 1997, Cartoon Network launched a quartet of new shows -- "Dexter's Laboratory," "Johnny Bravo," "The Powerpuff Girls," and "Cow and Chicken" -- and their reputation was solidified. It was now a destination station.
In 1994, the network had the brilliant idea to repurpose a largely forgotten Hanna-Barbera character named Space Ghost, transforming him into a talk show host. "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" set a new dadaist tone for the Cartoon Network, proving that it could make hip, self-aware, original content in addition to its blocks of reruns. In 1996 and 1997, Cartoon Network launched a quartet of new shows -- "Dexter's Laboratory," "Johnny Bravo," "The Powerpuff Girls," and "Cow and Chicken" -- and their reputation was solidified. It was now a destination station.
- 4/6/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Daft Punk is a duo that hardly needs an introduction. From Grammy-winning hit songs like "Get Lucky" to their work on soundtracks to blockbuster movies like "Tron: Legacy," the electronic musicians have conquered the world. But long before Hollywood came calling, the French beat-makers got a boost from the folks at Cartoon Network. Specifically, when the band's anime-inspired music videos aired on Toonami.
Complex did a deep-dive into the history of the anime-focused gamble that was Toonami back in 2017. While the programming block certainly helped give anime a profile boost in the U.S., it also helped out several popular musical acts, Daft Punk among them. As Toonami co-creator Jason DeMarco explained at the time, the duo reached out to them when they were in the midst of premiering an ambitious music video project titled "Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem" tied to their second studio album,...
Complex did a deep-dive into the history of the anime-focused gamble that was Toonami back in 2017. While the programming block certainly helped give anime a profile boost in the U.S., it also helped out several popular musical acts, Daft Punk among them. As Toonami co-creator Jason DeMarco explained at the time, the duo reached out to them when they were in the midst of premiering an ambitious music video project titled "Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem" tied to their second studio album,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
On March 1, 2024, the legendary creator of "Dragon Ball," Akira Toriyama, passed away at the age of 68. It is legitimately impossible to encapsulate how influential and beloved Toriyama's work has become, but his epic tale of an aspiring martial artist named Goku who discovers magical wish-granting Dragon Balls became the definitive shōnen battle manga. Its follow-up series "Dragon Ball Z" would become an international sensation and served as one of the gateways to Japanese animation for audiences in the West.
I can only speak from my own experience, but "Sailor Moon," "Gundam Wing," and "Dragon Ball Z" were the holy trinity of animation for me as a kid, and I know I'm not alone. I was fortunate enough to catch random episodes of "Sailor Moon" on the USA Network, but everything changed when it was added to the Toonami programming block on Cartoon Network (later Adult Swim) that would completely change my life.
I can only speak from my own experience, but "Sailor Moon," "Gundam Wing," and "Dragon Ball Z" were the holy trinity of animation for me as a kid, and I know I'm not alone. I was fortunate enough to catch random episodes of "Sailor Moon" on the USA Network, but everything changed when it was added to the Toonami programming block on Cartoon Network (later Adult Swim) that would completely change my life.
- 3/10/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Created by Sean Akins and Jason DeMarco, Toonami is a late-night programming block that helped introduce Japanese animated series to audiences in the West. First launched in 1997 on Cartoon Network, the block continues to this day on Adult Swim and is responsible for expanding the animated palate of multiple generations, myself included. Originally, Toonami was hosted by Moltar, a former supervillain from the 1966 animated series "Space Ghost" (not to be confused with "Space Ghost Coast to Coast"), but was replaced three years later by Tom (short for Toonami Operations Module). Tom wasn't just a host; he also came with his own lore and storyline from episode to episode, similar to the way the robots on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" also have backstories and character arcs.
Tom was a way to usher in a new era of Toonami, kicking off his transmission with an episode of "Sailor Moon R." Fans loved Tom,...
Tom was a way to usher in a new era of Toonami, kicking off his transmission with an episode of "Sailor Moon R." Fans loved Tom,...
- 3/9/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
"Arcane" is not only the best animated show Netflix has released, but one of the best animated shows of the modern era. This loose adaptation of Riot Games' "League of Legends" universe has a compelling and thrilling story of rebellion set in a fantasy world, a fleshed-out world rich in lore and details, and an absolutely stunning visual style that mixes 3D and 2D animation.
While Netflix finally announced a release date for season 2 of "Arcane" for 2024, fans have still spent the months since the first season's release just salivating at any new piece of information. In an interview with e-sportscaster Guan Ze Yuan on BiliBili, Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent gave fans an update on season two and explained why the return to Piltover has taken so long.
"We're making progress on it," Laurent said. "It is not ready yet, and there are two reasons for that. One, you want the quality.
While Netflix finally announced a release date for season 2 of "Arcane" for 2024, fans have still spent the months since the first season's release just salivating at any new piece of information. In an interview with e-sportscaster Guan Ze Yuan on BiliBili, Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent gave fans an update on season two and explained why the return to Piltover has taken so long.
"We're making progress on it," Laurent said. "It is not ready yet, and there are two reasons for that. One, you want the quality.
- 11/28/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
In the late 1990s, Bandai Entertainment and the Japanese animation studio Sunrise approached young director Shinichirō Watanabe to make a sci-fi action show (mostly so they could sell spaceship toys). Watanabe took that directive and led the creation of "Cowboy Bebop."
This 26-episode show followed down-on-their-luck bounty hunters in the year 2071, when mankind has colonized the solar system and left behind a ruined Earth. It brought Western and noir storytelling together into its sci-fi setting, fused with an existential mood and jazzy music composed by Yoko Kanno.
"Cowboy Bebop" first aired in Japan 25 years ago, from 1998 to 1999, and Bandai Entertainment soon imported it stateside, where it debuted on Cartoon Network block Adult Swim in 2001. If anything, it's become an even bigger (and more enduring) hit in the U.S. than in its homeland. A big reason for this popularity was because the English dub was excellent: The characters speaking the...
This 26-episode show followed down-on-their-luck bounty hunters in the year 2071, when mankind has colonized the solar system and left behind a ruined Earth. It brought Western and noir storytelling together into its sci-fi setting, fused with an existential mood and jazzy music composed by Yoko Kanno.
"Cowboy Bebop" first aired in Japan 25 years ago, from 1998 to 1999, and Bandai Entertainment soon imported it stateside, where it debuted on Cartoon Network block Adult Swim in 2001. If anything, it's become an even bigger (and more enduring) hit in the U.S. than in its homeland. A big reason for this popularity was because the English dub was excellent: The characters speaking the...
- 11/21/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
“Attack on Titan” debuted in 2013, but its so-called “Final Season” has been premiering episodes on Hulu since late 2020. Now, the hugely popular anime based on Hajime Isayama’s manga has finally come to an end after almost 100 episodes — including a highly anticipated feature-length finale that crashed Crunchyroll servers the moment it dropped on November 4.
The finale, titled “Attack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters, Special 2,” brings to a close a story that bears little resemblance to the series that began a decade ago. The story of Eren, a young boy who saw his mother killed by monstrous Titans that plague the last remnants of humanity evolved into a complex tale of war and hatred. The world was much larger than we initially thought, the threats more human and nuanced. Victims became aggressors, and friends were forced to fight one another or let humanity be destroyed. Just as “Attack on Titan...
The finale, titled “Attack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters, Special 2,” brings to a close a story that bears little resemblance to the series that began a decade ago. The story of Eren, a young boy who saw his mother killed by monstrous Titans that plague the last remnants of humanity evolved into a complex tale of war and hatred. The world was much larger than we initially thought, the threats more human and nuanced. Victims became aggressors, and friends were forced to fight one another or let humanity be destroyed. Just as “Attack on Titan...
- 11/6/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Indiewire
Rick and Morty: The Anime to Have 10 Episodes
The upcoming anime spin-off of the popular Adult Swim animated sitcom Rick and Morty will consist of 10 episodes, according to executive producer Jason DeMarco. The series, which is set to premiere on Adult Swim and HBO Max in 2023, will be created and developed by Takashi Sano, a celebrated anime director who has worked on projects such as Tower of God, Lupin the IIIrd, and Shenmue.
Rick and Morty
Sano has previously directed two anime shorts for Rick and Morty, titled “Rick and Morty vs. Genocider” and “Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil)”, which were released on Adult Swim’s digital platforms in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The shorts received positive feedback from fans, as they showcased Sano’s unique vision and creativity in adapting the characters and themes of Rick and Morty into an anime context.
The plot of Rick and Morty: The Anime is still largely unknown,...
The upcoming anime spin-off of the popular Adult Swim animated sitcom Rick and Morty will consist of 10 episodes, according to executive producer Jason DeMarco. The series, which is set to premiere on Adult Swim and HBO Max in 2023, will be created and developed by Takashi Sano, a celebrated anime director who has worked on projects such as Tower of God, Lupin the IIIrd, and Shenmue.
Rick and Morty
Sano has previously directed two anime shorts for Rick and Morty, titled “Rick and Morty vs. Genocider” and “Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil)”, which were released on Adult Swim’s digital platforms in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The shorts received positive feedback from fans, as they showcased Sano’s unique vision and creativity in adapting the characters and themes of Rick and Morty into an anime context.
The plot of Rick and Morty: The Anime is still largely unknown,...
- 7/30/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Back in 2019, it was announced that Adult Swim‘s Toonami was teaming up with Production I.G. for a four part animated mini-series adaptation of Junji Ito’s horror manga Uzumaki – an animated mini-series that would be presented in black and white, just like the manga source material. A couple years later, a teaser trailer arrived online… and then it was said that the premiere of the show had been delayed so director Hiroshi Nagahama and the production team could have more time to “replicate the quality of the intricate designs and detailed line work of Mr. Ito’s classic manga”. Uzumaki still doesn’t have a premiere date, but a trailer for the mini-series has been released, and you can check it out in the embed above.
Scripted by Aki Itami, the mini-series will tell the following story: Kurozu-cho, a small fog-bound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed.
Scripted by Aki Itami, the mini-series will tell the following story: Kurozu-cho, a small fog-bound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed.
- 7/26/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Adult Swim‘s mini-series “Uzumaki,” based on the supernatural horror manga by legendary author Junji Ito, was announced way back in 2019, and, as of a year ago, delayed with no Eta. A brand new trailer unveiled today at San Diego Comic-Con indicates that the upcoming series may be more than worth the wait.
Check out the eerie new trailer below with stunning animation that seeks to capture Junji Ito’s nightmarish art style.
No release date has been announced just yet, but the unveiling of the new trailer means that we’re one step closer to seeing what madness Adult Swim and Junji Ito have in store.
Written and illustrated by Ito, the original manga series told the story of the citizens of Kurōzu-cho, a fictional city that is plagued by a supernatural curse involving spirals.
The “Uzumaki” manga series is made up of three volumes that were first published...
Check out the eerie new trailer below with stunning animation that seeks to capture Junji Ito’s nightmarish art style.
No release date has been announced just yet, but the unveiling of the new trailer means that we’re one step closer to seeing what madness Adult Swim and Junji Ito have in store.
Written and illustrated by Ito, the original manga series told the story of the citizens of Kurōzu-cho, a fictional city that is plagued by a supernatural curse involving spirals.
The “Uzumaki” manga series is made up of three volumes that were first published...
- 7/23/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Adult Swim has given the green light to a new anime series from Shinichirō Watanabe, Lazarus.
The series will mark Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world – and coming soon.
As a response to this threat,...
The series will mark Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world – and coming soon.
As a response to this threat,...
- 7/20/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Adult Swim has greenlit “Lazarus,” a new Toonami series from renowned anime director Shinichirō Watanabe, known for his work helming episodes of “Cowboy Bebop,” “Samurai Champloo” and “Kids on the Slope.”
Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, “Lazarus” also recruits the contributions of “John Wick” series director Chad Stahelski, who designed several action sequences for the series, along with the musical talents of saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo. The trio will provide a jazz and electronic score for the project.
Watanabe will pull the curtain back on the series at the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., as part of the Comic-Con event Toonami on the Green.
“Lazarus,” which is already in production, takes place in 2052. The series follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist that develops a drug called Hapuna — a cure-all...
Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, “Lazarus” also recruits the contributions of “John Wick” series director Chad Stahelski, who designed several action sequences for the series, along with the musical talents of saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo. The trio will provide a jazz and electronic score for the project.
Watanabe will pull the curtain back on the series at the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., as part of the Comic-Con event Toonami on the Green.
“Lazarus,” which is already in production, takes place in 2052. The series follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist that develops a drug called Hapuna — a cure-all...
- 7/20/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
XYZ Films Acquires The Mean One for Wide December 15th Holiday Release: "XYZ Films is proud to announce their acquisition of director Steven Lamorte's outrageous slasher parody, The Mean One. The distributor will release the film for free everywhere in the U.S. on December 15th, gifting the film to all horror fans this holiday season.
In the audacious new parody, The Mean One (David Howard Thornton) is a hairy, green-skinned grump in a Santa suit, living on a mountain high above the town of Newville, despising the holiday season. Young Cindy You-Know-Who (Krystle Martin), whose parents were butchered by The Mean One twenty Christmases earlier, is returning to town to seek closure... but is about to discover that this fiend with a heart two sizes to small is still quite eager to carve the roast beast.
In The Mean One, David Howard Thornton - currently in 800+ cinemas as...
In the audacious new parody, The Mean One (David Howard Thornton) is a hairy, green-skinned grump in a Santa suit, living on a mountain high above the town of Newville, despising the holiday season. Young Cindy You-Know-Who (Krystle Martin), whose parents were butchered by The Mean One twenty Christmases earlier, is returning to town to seek closure... but is about to discover that this fiend with a heart two sizes to small is still quite eager to carve the roast beast.
In The Mean One, David Howard Thornton - currently in 800+ cinemas as...
- 10/7/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Adult Swim is an icon of animation. The programming block turned cable TV channel is responsible for introducing American adult animation as we know it today — from "Sealab 2021" and "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" to "Rick and Morty" — while helping introduce anime to American audiences in a bigger way than before, turning shows like "Dragon Ball Z," "Sailor Moon" and "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing" into cultural phenomena stateside.
In recent years, Adult Swim has taken things a step further by co-producing original anime shows with Japanese studios, co-producing shows like "Flcl Alternative" and the recent "Blade Runner: Black Lotus," the latter being a co-production between Adult Swim and Crunchyroll.
Except this was back when Crunchyroll was owned by WarnerMedia, which allowed for easy collaboration. Everything changed when Sony acquired Crunchyroll, which made any present or future collaboration a bit difficult. Add in Warner Bros. Discovery's recent trigger-happy approach to removing and canning animation projects,...
In recent years, Adult Swim has taken things a step further by co-producing original anime shows with Japanese studios, co-producing shows like "Flcl Alternative" and the recent "Blade Runner: Black Lotus," the latter being a co-production between Adult Swim and Crunchyroll.
Except this was back when Crunchyroll was owned by WarnerMedia, which allowed for easy collaboration. Everything changed when Sony acquired Crunchyroll, which made any present or future collaboration a bit difficult. Add in Warner Bros. Discovery's recent trigger-happy approach to removing and canning animation projects,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Adult Swim has ordered two new seasons of “Flcl” as well as the new anime series “Housing Complex C” in honor of the 25th anniversary of Toonami, Variety has learned exclusively.
The two new “Flcl” seasons are titled “Flcl: Grunge” and “Flcl: Shoegaze,” both of which are currently in production. “Grunge” is directed by Hitoshi Takekiyo and animated by MontBlanc Pictures. “Shoegaze” is directed by Yutaka Uemura and animated by Production I.G x Nut.
“What better time to announce two new seasons of ‘Flcl’ and ‘Housing Complex C’ than on our 25th anniversary,” said Jason DeMarco, creative director of Toonami and senior vice president of action and anime for WarnerMedia. “Adult Swim’s ongoing commitment to support Toonami with new original series is something anime fans can celebrate every day.”
“Housing Complex C” centers around Kimi, who lives in a small, low-cost housing complex located in the seaside town...
The two new “Flcl” seasons are titled “Flcl: Grunge” and “Flcl: Shoegaze,” both of which are currently in production. “Grunge” is directed by Hitoshi Takekiyo and animated by MontBlanc Pictures. “Shoegaze” is directed by Yutaka Uemura and animated by Production I.G x Nut.
“What better time to announce two new seasons of ‘Flcl’ and ‘Housing Complex C’ than on our 25th anniversary,” said Jason DeMarco, creative director of Toonami and senior vice president of action and anime for WarnerMedia. “Adult Swim’s ongoing commitment to support Toonami with new original series is something anime fans can celebrate every day.”
“Housing Complex C” centers around Kimi, who lives in a small, low-cost housing complex located in the seaside town...
- 3/17/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Anime appears to be on its way forward and Warner Bros. is trying to get their part of it as they seek to team up with Jason DeMarco while in the process of trying to pull this off. For quite a few years now anime has been on the rise in America and it’s become one of the more popular styles of animation that people have flocked to. When looking at the style it is kind of exciting and it’s definitely something that can gain the attention of those that want to see action but aren’t so into live-action that
Warner Bros. and Jason DeMarco Teaming Up with new Anime Production Company...
Warner Bros. and Jason DeMarco Teaming Up with new Anime Production Company...
- 8/17/2021
- by Tom Foster
- TVovermind.com
Adult Swim’s Jason DeMarco has taken on a newly expanded role at Warner Bros. The veteran creative executive has been named SVP Anime & Action Series/Longform for Warner Bros Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
In his newly created dual role, DeMarco will spearhead Wba and Cns’ expansion into producing anime content. He also will be responsible for identifying and developing projects in the animated action genre to develop and produce series and longform programming for all audiences. Among his first projects, DeMarco will serve as the lead creative executive on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the upcoming original anime feature film directed by Kenji Kamiyama and produced by New Line Cinema and Wba.
DeMarco also will continue his role as SVP, Head of Anime and Action Series, at Adult Swim. He will report to Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios,...
In his newly created dual role, DeMarco will spearhead Wba and Cns’ expansion into producing anime content. He also will be responsible for identifying and developing projects in the animated action genre to develop and produce series and longform programming for all audiences. Among his first projects, DeMarco will serve as the lead creative executive on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the upcoming original anime feature film directed by Kenji Kamiyama and produced by New Line Cinema and Wba.
DeMarco also will continue his role as SVP, Head of Anime and Action Series, at Adult Swim. He will report to Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios,...
- 8/10/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Adult Swim and Crunchyroll have revealed the characters and stellar English and Japanese voice cast of its anticipated animated series Blade Runner: Black Lotus, inspired by the Blade Runner movie franchise.
Cast includes Jessica Henwick, Arisa Shida, Will Yun Lee, Shinshu Fuji, Samira Wiley, Takako Honda, Brian Cox, Wes Bentley, Josh Duhamel, Taiten Kusunoki, Peyton List, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Stephen Root, Hochu Otsuka, Barkhad Abdi, Takayuki Kinba, Gregg Henry, Masane Tsukayama, Henry Czerny, Akio Nojima, Jason Spisak and Kazuki Yao.
Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) will direct all 13 episodes. The series is produced by Alcon Entertainment and animation studio Sola Digital Arts, with Shinichiro Watanabe serving as a creative producer.
Henwick/Shida voice Elle, a female replicant created for a secret and unknown purpose. Lee/Fuji voice Joseph, a mysterious figure who owns a spare parts junkyard in Los Angeles. Wiley/Hona voice Alani Davis,...
Cast includes Jessica Henwick, Arisa Shida, Will Yun Lee, Shinshu Fuji, Samira Wiley, Takako Honda, Brian Cox, Wes Bentley, Josh Duhamel, Taiten Kusunoki, Peyton List, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Stephen Root, Hochu Otsuka, Barkhad Abdi, Takayuki Kinba, Gregg Henry, Masane Tsukayama, Henry Czerny, Akio Nojima, Jason Spisak and Kazuki Yao.
Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) will direct all 13 episodes. The series is produced by Alcon Entertainment and animation studio Sola Digital Arts, with Shinichiro Watanabe serving as a creative producer.
Henwick/Shida voice Elle, a female replicant created for a secret and unknown purpose. Lee/Fuji voice Joseph, a mysterious figure who owns a spare parts junkyard in Los Angeles. Wiley/Hona voice Alani Davis,...
- 7/7/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
WarnerMedia’s Crunchyroll and Adult Swim are teaming on Shenmue, a 13-episode original anime series based on the Sega game franchise. The co-production will stream worldwide outside of Japan and mainland China on Crunchyroll and air on Adult Swim’s Toonami in the domestic U.S.
Shenmue follows the journey of Ryo Hazuki. After he witnesses his father’s murder at the family dojo, Ryo dedicates his life to finding the man responsible – a mission that takes him from the streets of Yokosuka, Japan to the sprawling metropolis of Hong Kong, and beyond. Soon he’ll learn that larger, mystical forces are at play as he trains to become the ultimate martial artist in his quest for revenge.
Shenmue is co-produced by Crunchyroll and Adult Swim Productions. Sakurai Chikara directs with animation production by Telecom Animation Film, and production management provided by Sola Entertainment.
Shenmue follows the journey of Ryo Hazuki. After he witnesses his father’s murder at the family dojo, Ryo dedicates his life to finding the man responsible – a mission that takes him from the streets of Yokosuka, Japan to the sprawling metropolis of Hong Kong, and beyond. Soon he’ll learn that larger, mystical forces are at play as he trains to become the ultimate martial artist in his quest for revenge.
Shenmue is co-produced by Crunchyroll and Adult Swim Productions. Sakurai Chikara directs with animation production by Telecom Animation Film, and production management provided by Sola Entertainment.
- 9/5/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Adult Swim and Crunchyroll are teaming up once again to produce a new anime series.
The two WarnerMedia properties are combining to develop “Fena: Pirate Princess,” which is slated to premiere on Adult Swim’s Toonami and stream on Crunchyroll in 2021. News of the series was announced at Adult Swim’s first ever convention, Adult Swim Con.
“Fena: Pirate Princess” will be a 12-episode original anime series that tells the tale of a young orphan girl named Fena Houtman. Fena has been raised on an Island where there is “no hope of becoming anything more than chattel, to be used and discarded by soldiers of the British Empire.”
However, she is more than just another powerless orphan. When her mysterious past comes knocking, Fena will break the chains of her oppressors. Her goal: forge a new identity, free of bondage, and search for a place where she can truly belong...
The two WarnerMedia properties are combining to develop “Fena: Pirate Princess,” which is slated to premiere on Adult Swim’s Toonami and stream on Crunchyroll in 2021. News of the series was announced at Adult Swim’s first ever convention, Adult Swim Con.
“Fena: Pirate Princess” will be a 12-episode original anime series that tells the tale of a young orphan girl named Fena Houtman. Fena has been raised on an Island where there is “no hope of becoming anything more than chattel, to be used and discarded by soldiers of the British Empire.”
However, she is more than just another powerless orphan. When her mysterious past comes knocking, Fena will break the chains of her oppressors. Her goal: forge a new identity, free of bondage, and search for a place where she can truly belong...
- 7/26/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Adult Swim’s Toonami has unveiled a new Production I.G. original anime series, Fena: Pirate Princess. The series will bow on Toonami and stream on Crunchyroll in 2021.
Fena: Pirate Princess is a 12-episode original anime series about a young orphan girl, Fena Houtman. Fena has been raised on an Island where there is no hope of becoming anything more than chattel, to be used and discarded by soldiers of the British Empire.
But Fena is more than just another powerless orphan. When her mysterious past comes knocking, Fena will break the chains of her oppressors. Her goal: forge a new identity, free of bondage, and search for a place where she can belong and find out the true mysteries behind a keyword, “Eden.”
“I’m thrilled to be able to announce our next co-produced anime series with our partners at Crunchyroll and bring Nakazawa’s unique vision to life,” said Jason DeMarco,...
Fena: Pirate Princess is a 12-episode original anime series about a young orphan girl, Fena Houtman. Fena has been raised on an Island where there is no hope of becoming anything more than chattel, to be used and discarded by soldiers of the British Empire.
But Fena is more than just another powerless orphan. When her mysterious past comes knocking, Fena will break the chains of her oppressors. Her goal: forge a new identity, free of bondage, and search for a place where she can belong and find out the true mysteries behind a keyword, “Eden.”
“I’m thrilled to be able to announce our next co-produced anime series with our partners at Crunchyroll and bring Nakazawa’s unique vision to life,” said Jason DeMarco,...
- 7/26/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Two of WarnerMedia’s closely aligned assets, Adult Swim and Crunchyroll, are deepening their ties with an expanded distribution deal and a new partnership for programming.
The partnership makes Crunchyroll a premiere content partner for Toonami, the anime programming block that airs Saturday nights on Adult Swim. The two companies will collaborate on licensed content, co-productions and distribution opportunities.
Crunchyroll, which was founded in 2006, had been controlled since 2014 by Otter Media and became a fully owned WarnerMedia subsidiary along with the rest of Otter’s digital portfolio last year. Adult Swim launched in 2001 as a nighttime programming block on Cartoon Network before expanding to a separately distributed network years later.
Both assets are among the WarnerMedia holdings being reshuffled under a sweeping reorganization announced this month by John Stankey. Warner Bros. chairman Kevin Tsujihara now oversees a portfolio of kids and young-adult brands, including Adult Swim and the former Otter properties.
The partnership makes Crunchyroll a premiere content partner for Toonami, the anime programming block that airs Saturday nights on Adult Swim. The two companies will collaborate on licensed content, co-productions and distribution opportunities.
Crunchyroll, which was founded in 2006, had been controlled since 2014 by Otter Media and became a fully owned WarnerMedia subsidiary along with the rest of Otter’s digital portfolio last year. Adult Swim launched in 2001 as a nighttime programming block on Cartoon Network before expanding to a separately distributed network years later.
Both assets are among the WarnerMedia holdings being reshuffled under a sweeping reorganization announced this month by John Stankey. Warner Bros. chairman Kevin Tsujihara now oversees a portfolio of kids and young-adult brands, including Adult Swim and the former Otter properties.
- 3/12/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Adult Swim has expanded its distribution partnership with Crunchyroll, allowing it to tap the streaming service’s content library to fill its “Toonami” programming block, which consists mostly of anime programming.
Crunchyroll is an anime-centric streaming service owned by At&T via OtterMedia, a division that was recently placed under the WarnerMedia umbrella following the telco’s acquisition of the company.
Previously, Crunchyroll partnered with Adult Swim to premiere its original series “Mob Psycho 100” on the cable network.
Also Read: Inside Crunchyroll's 4-Prong Approach to Driving Revenue
Under the new agreement, Crunchyroll will distribute a collection of anime TV series on Adult Swim’s Toonami. However, there are no current plans to make Adult Swim’s programming available on Crunchyroll’s streaming platform, which has over 45 million registered subscribers.
“We’re exploring all options to maximize distribution for our series,” a spokesperson for Crunchyroll told TheWrap.
In addition to the expanded distribution deal,...
Crunchyroll is an anime-centric streaming service owned by At&T via OtterMedia, a division that was recently placed under the WarnerMedia umbrella following the telco’s acquisition of the company.
Previously, Crunchyroll partnered with Adult Swim to premiere its original series “Mob Psycho 100” on the cable network.
Also Read: Inside Crunchyroll's 4-Prong Approach to Driving Revenue
Under the new agreement, Crunchyroll will distribute a collection of anime TV series on Adult Swim’s Toonami. However, there are no current plans to make Adult Swim’s programming available on Crunchyroll’s streaming platform, which has over 45 million registered subscribers.
“We’re exploring all options to maximize distribution for our series,” a spokesperson for Crunchyroll told TheWrap.
In addition to the expanded distribution deal,...
- 3/12/2019
- by Matt Lopez
- The Wrap
The United States was slow to come to the notion of animation as TV programming for adults,. “It wasn’t kosher,” Adult Swim’s Svp Jason DeMaro said at a TCA panel on “grown up” cartoon.
Animation has the advantage of enjoying a higher level of suspension of disbelief, Rooster Teeth co-founder Burnie Burns explained.
It has allowed for characters who are despicable and yet can be funny in a way that live action TV cannot, enthused Margaret Dean, head of Crunchyroll studio and president of Women in Animation. Viewers can watch people experiencing horrible torture, and blood gushing, that, if you saw it in live action it would be horrible,” she added.
Animation also has led the field in on-screen diversity, and probing social issues, Fuse Media Chief Content Officer J-t Ladt argued.
One TV critic asked about the “toxic” fan base for some animated programming, singling out Rick & Morty.
Animation has the advantage of enjoying a higher level of suspension of disbelief, Rooster Teeth co-founder Burnie Burns explained.
It has allowed for characters who are despicable and yet can be funny in a way that live action TV cannot, enthused Margaret Dean, head of Crunchyroll studio and president of Women in Animation. Viewers can watch people experiencing horrible torture, and blood gushing, that, if you saw it in live action it would be horrible,” she added.
Animation also has led the field in on-screen diversity, and probing social issues, Fuse Media Chief Content Officer J-t Ladt argued.
One TV critic asked about the “toxic” fan base for some animated programming, singling out Rick & Morty.
- 2/9/2019
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Back in 2017, Shinichiro Watanabe helped bridge the gap between Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 with his anime short film Black Out 2022, and now it's been announced that he'll serve as a creative producer on Blade Runner - Black Lotus, a new anime series set in the year 2032.
Comprised of 13 30-minute installments from Sola Digital Arts, Blade Runner - Black Lotus will be directed by Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama, with Adult Swim set to air the English-dubbed episodes and Crunchyroll set to stream the episodes around the world. A premiere date and plot details have yet to be announced, but we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further announcements. In the meantime, you can read the press release for additional information:
From the Press Release (via TheFutonCritic): Alcon Television Group, a division of Alcon Entertainment, has partnered with Adult Swim and Crunchyroll...
Comprised of 13 30-minute installments from Sola Digital Arts, Blade Runner - Black Lotus will be directed by Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama, with Adult Swim set to air the English-dubbed episodes and Crunchyroll set to stream the episodes around the world. A premiere date and plot details have yet to be announced, but we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further announcements. In the meantime, you can read the press release for additional information:
From the Press Release (via TheFutonCritic): Alcon Television Group, a division of Alcon Entertainment, has partnered with Adult Swim and Crunchyroll...
- 11/29/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
There’s a new Blade Runner anime series going into development called Blade Runner - Black Lotus, and it was inspired by Blade Runner 2049.
We may never see another Blade Runner movie again because they have been box office bombs, but at least we will be getting more stories set in the universe in anime form! Hey, it’s better than nothing!
The plot of the series is being kept under wraps, it’s been confirmed that the story will “take place in 2032 and will include some familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe.”
The series will be produced by Alcon Entertainment, WarnerMedia’s Adult Swim, and Crunchyroll. The series will air on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block. Crunchyroll will handle worldwide streaming.
Blade Runner – Black Lotus will consist of 13 half-hour episodes, and the animation is being done by Sola Digital Arts, who also worked on the new Ultraman series.
We may never see another Blade Runner movie again because they have been box office bombs, but at least we will be getting more stories set in the universe in anime form! Hey, it’s better than nothing!
The plot of the series is being kept under wraps, it’s been confirmed that the story will “take place in 2032 and will include some familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe.”
The series will be produced by Alcon Entertainment, WarnerMedia’s Adult Swim, and Crunchyroll. The series will air on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block. Crunchyroll will handle worldwide streaming.
Blade Runner – Black Lotus will consist of 13 half-hour episodes, and the animation is being done by Sola Digital Arts, who also worked on the new Ultraman series.
- 11/29/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
"Blade Runner – Black Lotus", a new animated 13-episode TV series, set 25 years before the feature "Blade Runner 2049", based on author Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" is from Alcon Television Group, a division of Alcon Entertainment, WarnerMedia's "Adult Swim" and Crunchyroll, to be directed by Shinji Aramaki ("Appleseed") and Kenji Kamiyama ("Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex") for Solar Digital Arts:
"I first saw 'Blade Runner' in 1982, at age 11," said Jason DeMarco, for "Adult Swim" on-air.
"It has remained one of the defining films of my life.
"To be able to explore more of this universe, with the incredible talent we have on board, is a dream come true..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Runner 2049"...
"I first saw 'Blade Runner' in 1982, at age 11," said Jason DeMarco, for "Adult Swim" on-air.
"It has remained one of the defining films of my life.
"To be able to explore more of this universe, with the incredible talent we have on board, is a dream come true..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Runner 2049"...
- 11/29/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Joseph Baxter Nov 30, 2018
The Blade Runner mythology will expand with a prequel anime series in the works, set to air on Adult Swim.
Blade Runner is set to make its serial television debut... in animated form, anyway.
Adult Swim and anime streaming service Crunchyroll, two Warner Media properties, will partner with Alcon Television Group to produce a yet-to-be-titled Blade Runner anime series, which will manifest with 13 half-hour episodes. The series – set to air in English-dubbed form on Adult Swim’s Toonami block – will bear direct inspiration from director Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049, the long-awaited 2017 sequel to Ridley Scott’s genre-defining 1982 original Blade Runner film.
While plot details on the Blade Runner anime were not provided, it was revealed that the series will take place in 2032 and include some established characters, a crucial fact that sets the story 17 years before the events of the most recent film, making the...
The Blade Runner mythology will expand with a prequel anime series in the works, set to air on Adult Swim.
Blade Runner is set to make its serial television debut... in animated form, anyway.
Adult Swim and anime streaming service Crunchyroll, two Warner Media properties, will partner with Alcon Television Group to produce a yet-to-be-titled Blade Runner anime series, which will manifest with 13 half-hour episodes. The series – set to air in English-dubbed form on Adult Swim’s Toonami block – will bear direct inspiration from director Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049, the long-awaited 2017 sequel to Ridley Scott’s genre-defining 1982 original Blade Runner film.
While plot details on the Blade Runner anime were not provided, it was revealed that the series will take place in 2032 and include some established characters, a crucial fact that sets the story 17 years before the events of the most recent film, making the...
- 11/29/2018
- Den of Geek
Blade Runner – Black Lotus, an animated series inspired by the Oscar-winning movie Blade Runner 2049, is coming to Adult Swim. Alcon Television Group, a division of Alcon Entertainment, has teamed with WarnerMedia’s Adult Swim and Crunchyroll to produce and distribute the new anime series.
Blade Runner – Black Lotus will feature 13 half-hour episodes produced by animation studio Sola Digital Arts (Ultraman). The series plot is being kept under wraps, but producers have confirmed the story will take place in 2032 and will include some familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe.
Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) will direct all episodes of the premiere season, following their current directorial work on the upcoming Ghost in the Shell series reboot. Shinichiro Watanabe is a creative producer.
Adult Swim will have the worldwide rights (excluding Asia) to distribute the English dubbed versions...
Blade Runner – Black Lotus will feature 13 half-hour episodes produced by animation studio Sola Digital Arts (Ultraman). The series plot is being kept under wraps, but producers have confirmed the story will take place in 2032 and will include some familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe.
Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) will direct all episodes of the premiere season, following their current directorial work on the upcoming Ghost in the Shell series reboot. Shinichiro Watanabe is a creative producer.
Adult Swim will have the worldwide rights (excluding Asia) to distribute the English dubbed versions...
- 11/29/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“Blade Runner” is coming to the small screen as an animated series.
Variety has learned that Alcon Television Group has partnered with Adult Swim and Crunchyroll to produce and distribute a new anime series inspired by “Blade Runner 2049.”
“Blade Runner-Black Lotus,” as it will be called, will consist of 13 half-hour episodes. Details of the plot are being kept under wraps, but it is known that the story will take place in 2032 and will include some established characters from the “Blade Runner” universe.
“I first saw ‘Blade Runner’ in 1982, at age 11,” said Jason DeMarco, Svp and creative director of Adult Swim on-air. “It has remained one of the defining films of my life. To be able to explore more of this universe, with the incredible talent we have on board, is a dream come true.”
The series will be produced by animation studio Sola Digital Arts. Shinji Aramaki and...
Variety has learned that Alcon Television Group has partnered with Adult Swim and Crunchyroll to produce and distribute a new anime series inspired by “Blade Runner 2049.”
“Blade Runner-Black Lotus,” as it will be called, will consist of 13 half-hour episodes. Details of the plot are being kept under wraps, but it is known that the story will take place in 2032 and will include some established characters from the “Blade Runner” universe.
“I first saw ‘Blade Runner’ in 1982, at age 11,” said Jason DeMarco, Svp and creative director of Adult Swim on-air. “It has remained one of the defining films of my life. To be able to explore more of this universe, with the incredible talent we have on board, is a dream come true.”
The series will be produced by animation studio Sola Digital Arts. Shinji Aramaki and...
- 11/29/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Crunchyroll and Adult Swim are partnering with Alcon Television Group to produce and distribute “Blade Runner — Black Lotus,” an anime series inspired by Blade Runner 2049, the Oscar-winning 2017 sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic.
Adult Swim will have the worldwide rights — excluding Asia — to distribute the 13-episode series, which will air on the network’s anime programming block Toonami. Crunchyroll, an anime-centric streaming service, will handle worldwide distribution for its community of more than 45 million registered users and 2 million paying subscribers.
Produced by animation studio Sola Digital and directed by Shinji Aramaki (“Appleseed”) and Kenji Kamiyama (“Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”), each episode will run for 30-minutes.
As of now, Crunchyroll and its partners are keeping the plot line of the series under wraps, but producers have confirmed the story will take place in 2032 and will include a few familiar faces from the dystopian Blade Runner universe where...
Adult Swim will have the worldwide rights — excluding Asia — to distribute the 13-episode series, which will air on the network’s anime programming block Toonami. Crunchyroll, an anime-centric streaming service, will handle worldwide distribution for its community of more than 45 million registered users and 2 million paying subscribers.
Produced by animation studio Sola Digital and directed by Shinji Aramaki (“Appleseed”) and Kenji Kamiyama (“Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”), each episode will run for 30-minutes.
As of now, Crunchyroll and its partners are keeping the plot line of the series under wraps, but producers have confirmed the story will take place in 2032 and will include a few familiar faces from the dystopian Blade Runner universe where...
- 11/29/2018
- by Matt Lopez
- The Wrap
Sure there’s plenty to do at San Diego Comic-Con this week, but what happens if you decide you need a break from panels and looking for back issues? Plenty more, as it happens.
From TV show-branded activations to live comedy shows, even art shows, and best of all, a lot of it is open even to people who weren’t lucky enough to win the lottery and secure a badge for Sdcc 2018.
Comedy lovers will be able to join Conan O’Brien at the TeamCocoHouse pop-up comedy club beginning on Wednesday with events through Saturday. Meanwhile, Purge fans can cleanse their souls at the “Purge Emporium.” And you’ll be able to watch two episodes of the upcoming season of “The Venture Bros.”
Plus, Fans of “The Good Place” can visit heaven on earth — or is it hell? — at a re-creation of NBC comedy’s first season setting in the Gaslamp district.
From TV show-branded activations to live comedy shows, even art shows, and best of all, a lot of it is open even to people who weren’t lucky enough to win the lottery and secure a badge for Sdcc 2018.
Comedy lovers will be able to join Conan O’Brien at the TeamCocoHouse pop-up comedy club beginning on Wednesday with events through Saturday. Meanwhile, Purge fans can cleanse their souls at the “Purge Emporium.” And you’ll be able to watch two episodes of the upcoming season of “The Venture Bros.”
Plus, Fans of “The Good Place” can visit heaven on earth — or is it hell? — at a re-creation of NBC comedy’s first season setting in the Gaslamp district.
- 7/17/2018
- by Ashley Boucher
- The Wrap
Think back to 2001, when SpongeBob SquarePants reigned supreme on Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network was deep in the age of Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory and Johnny Bravo — clever, talky animated shows who trafficked in wackiness and often took their storytelling cues from live-action sitcoms. Then along came a samurai named Jack: a laconic lone-wolf hero who uttered fewer words in a whole season than most toon characters spoke in a single episode. The creation of animator (and Dex-Lab veteran) Genndy Tartakovsky, this feudal-era Japanese prince was sucked into a...
- 3/13/2017
- Rollingstone.com
Adult Swim animator and voice actor Clay Martin Croker died yesterday at the age of 54, as reported by Adult Swim creative director Jason DeMarco and contributor/rapper Mc Chris. Croker is best known for voicing both Zorak and Moltar on the long-running Cartoon Network talk show parody “Space Ghost Coast to Coast,” a series credited for establishing Adult Swim, spawning four separate spin-off shows — “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” “Sealab 2021,” “The Brak Show,” and “Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law” — and produced the majority of the writers and staff who still currently work for the alternative programming block.
Read More: Adult Swim Makes History By Launching First Full Episode On Vine
Croker began his career animating promos for TNT in the early-90s, but moved to Cartoon Network a few years later to help animate and design bumpers for the network’s rebranding. It was then producer Mike Lazzo, now Senior...
Read More: Adult Swim Makes History By Launching First Full Episode On Vine
Croker began his career animating promos for TNT in the early-90s, but moved to Cartoon Network a few years later to help animate and design bumpers for the network’s rebranding. It was then producer Mike Lazzo, now Senior...
- 9/19/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Beware The Batman is a show that first aired in summer 2013 on DC Nation. While we don't know exactly why, the series was put on hiatus on October of that year. While it was supposed to return January 2014, the series was pushed back. Despite numerous beliefs that show would be canceled, it has been confirmed that it will return on May 10. And yes, this is 100% confirmed. Due to the fact that reactions for the show were mixed, many were hoping the series would be canceled and it's DC Nation slot would be replaced with a different show. Good news. Those people don't have to worry. Rather than coming back to DC Nation, the series will instead air on Cartoon Network's Toonami block. Every episode of the series, including all 15 of the unaired episodes, will eventually air on Toonami. The head of Toonami, Jason DeMarco, tweeted: "#Toonami fans- yes...
- 4/18/2014
- ComicBookMovie.com
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