Streaming giant doubles down on commitment to worldwide anime fans; up to 40 titles coming this year including the highly anticipated global release of ‘Record of Ragnarok’ and ‘RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness.’
Netflix has announced the premiere of close to 40 new original anime titles coming this year – almost double the number of titles brought to fans last year. Having returned to this year’s all virtual AnimeJapan 2021 to showcase its diversifying slate for fans in Japan and around the world, the streaming giant has cemented its commitment to become a home for global fans and creators of anime.
During the virtual stage event, Netflix announced the upcoming worldwide release of Record of Ragnarok (premiering June 2021), an anime adaptation of the hugely successful manga of the same name. The story about the epic fight for the fate of humanity will join an ever-expanding slate of anime, including previously announced titles like the comedic, slice-of-life series The Way of the Househusband (premiering April 8, 2021) or the popular RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness (premiering later this year).
Netflix also gave fans and press a new glimpse at upcoming projects Yasuke (premiering April 29, 2021) and Eden (premiering May 27, 2021), revealing a new trailer and the launch date for Eden as well as special artwork by Yasuke’s character designer Takeshi Koike. Both projects are new stories brought to life by international creators, further strengthening Netflix’s ambitions to diversify their line-up of original anime by working with top creators from both in- and outside of Japan.
The stage event also included appearances from Japanese voice talents Kenjiro Tsuda (The Way of the Househusband), Marika Kono (Eden) and Toshiyuki Morikawa (RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness). All three were excited about the global launch of their series.
Record of Ragnarok - Global Premiere Date: June 2021
The story of 13 gods from across the globe and 13 of the world's most notable humans fighting it out in one-on-one battles to decide the fate of humanity. Based on the manga created by Azychika, Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui, an earnest battle of transcendental rage begins!
Directed by Masao Okubo; series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu; character design by Masaki Sato; music by Koji Takanashi; animation production – GRAPHINICA.
Voice cast features Miyuki Sawashiro; Tomoyo Kurosawa; Tomokazu Seki; Hikaru Midorikawa; and Wataru Takagi.
YASUKE - Global Premiere Date: April 29, 2021
In a war-torn feudal Japan filled with mechs and magic, the greatest ronin never known, Yasuke, struggles to maintain a peaceful existence after a past life of violence. But when a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport a mysterious child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords.
Director, creator, executive producer: LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters). Character design by Takeshi Koike; music and executive produced by Flying Lotus; animation production by MAPPA.
Voice cast features LaKeith Stanfield (executive producer).
Eden - Global Premiere Date: May 27, 2021
Thousands of years in the future, a city known as “Eden” is inhabited solely by Artificially Intelligent robots whose former masters vanished long ago. On a routine assignment, within the depths of the city, two maintenance robots accidentally awaken a human baby girl from stasis questioning all they were taught to believe-- that humans were nothing more than a forbidden ancient myth. Together, the two robots secretly raise the child in a safe haven outside Eden.
Directed by Yasuhiro Irie (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood); produced by Justin Leach; character design by Toshihiro Kawamoto; concept design by Christophe Ferreira; screenplay by Kimiko Ueno; background art director Clover Xie; music by Kevin Penkin; animation production by CGCG.
The Way of The Househusband - Global Premiere Date: April 8, 2021
Feared among the yakuza as “The Immortal Dragon,” Tatsu is a legend of the underworld with an impressive number of defeated rival gangs under his belt. However, hoping to wash his hands of his past, he gets married and devotes himself fully to the way of the househusband by diligently undertaking the cooking, cleaning, washing, and grocery shopping each day. On the other hand, there is one person who's not happy about Tatsu's new domestic life — his tough, former yakuza underling, Masa. As Tatsu tries his best to pursue the way of the househusband, one assassin after another tries their hand at taking him out!
Based on a story by Kosuke Oono; directed by Chiaki Kon (Nodame Cantabile, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal); series composition by Susumu Yamakawa; theme song performed by UchikubiGokumonDoukoukai; and animation production by J.C.STAFF.
Vocie cast features Kenjiro Tsuda, Shizuka Ito, Kazuyuki Okitsu.
RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness - Global Premiere: 2021
In 2006, there were traces of improper access to secret Presidential files found in the White House’s network. American federal agent Leon S. Kennedy is among the group invited to the White House to investigate this incident, but when the lights suddenly go out, Leon and the SWAT team are forced to take down a horde of mysterious zombies. Meanwhile, TerraSave staff member Claire Redfield encounters a mysterious image drawn by a youth in a country she visited, while providing support to refugees. Haunted by this drawing, which appears to be of a victim of viral infection, Claire starts her own investigation. The next morning, Claire visits the White House to request the construction of a welfare facility. There, she has a chance reunion with Leon and uses the opportunity to show him the boy’s drawing. Leon seems to realize some sort of connection between the zombie outbreak at the White House and the strange drawing, but he tells Claire that there is no relation and leaves. In time, these two zombie outbreaks in distant countries lead to events that shake the nation to its very core.
Original work, production, and supervision by Capcom Co., Ltd. Full 3DCG animation production by Quebico and production by TMS Entertainment.
Source: Netflix
