Popular Dreamcast game Shenmue is getting animated. The Shenmue anime series will receive 13 episodes and airing on Adult Swim’s Toonami in the United States and stream worldwide outside of Japan and mainland China on Crunchyroll. Sarah Victor, head of development, Crunchyroll had the following to say about the announcement and working with Adult Swim.
The first Shenmue video game was released more than twenty years ago and we’re so excited to be working again with Adult Swim to bring this franchise to life through anime. We’re eager to show our fans more of this action-packed adventure series as we move through production
The story will follow closely to the video game:
After witnessing 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.
The Shenmue anime series will be directed by Sakurai Chikara (season two of One Punch Man, Naruto) with animation production by Telecom Animation Film, and production management provided by Sola Entertainment. Video game creator Yu Suzuki also onboard as an Executive Producer. Crunchyroll interviewed the creator during the Crunchyroll Expo 2020, which can be viewed below.