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Shenmue: The Animation

Shenmue: The Animation, also known simply as Shenmue, is a Japanese anime television series based on the Shenmue video game series by Yu Suzuki and published by Sega.[1] A co-production between Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, the series aired from February to May 2022.[2][3] A Japanese streaming release followed in April 2022. Shortly after its streaming debut in Japan, it was decided that a televised broadcast of the series would commence a month later on Tokyo MX in May 2022. The anime series adapts the storyline of the first two games, Shenmue (1999) and Shenmue II (2001).

Plot

After he witnesses his father's murder at the family dojo, Ryo Hazuki 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. Ryo will learn that larger, mystical forces are at play as he trains to become the ultimate martial artist in his quest for revenge.[4]

Characters

Ryo Hazuki (芭月涼, Hazuki Ryō)
Voiced by: Masaya Matsukaze[3] (Japanese); Austin Tindle[3] (English)
An 18-year-old Japanese teenager who goes on a journey to avenge his father.
Lan Di (藍帝, Rantei)
Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[3] (Japanese); Scott Gibbs[3] (English)
A high-ranking member of the Chi You Men.
Shenhua (シェンファ, Shenfa)
Voiced by: Haruka Terui[5] (Japanese); Natalie Rial[3] (English)
A mysterious teenager who becomes Ryo's traveling companion.
Nozomi Harasaki (原崎 望, Harasaki Nozomi)
Voiced by: Haruka Fushimi[5] (Japanese); Cat Thomas[3] (English)
Ryo's close friend.
Guizhang Chen (陳 貴章, Chin Kishō)
Voiced by: Ryuichi Kijima[5] (Japanese); Jeremy Gee[3] (English)
Master Chen's son.
Chai (チャイ)
Voiced by: Yoshimitsu Shimoyama[6] (Japanese); Greg Ayres[3] (English)
A low-ranking member of the Chi You Men.
Wong (ウォン, Won)
Voiced by: Shouta Hayama[7] (Japanese); Bryson Baugus[3] (English)
The youngest member of Wuying Ren's gang, the Heavens.
Joy (ジョイ, Joi)
Voiced by: M.A.O[7] (Japanese); Luci Christian[3] (English)
A young Chinese woman who can most often be seen around Aberdeen.
Xiuying Hong / Lishao Tao
Voiced by: Mirei KumagaiEp. 6 credits (Japanese); Christine Auten[3] (English)
A Tai Chi martial artist and master of the Man Mo Temple.
Ren Wuying (レン・ウーイン, Ren Ūin)
Voiced by: Osamu Taira[7] (Japanese); Cody House[3] (English)
The leader of the notorious gang, the Heavens.
Dou Niu (斗牛, Togyū)
Voiced by: Takahiro Sumi[7] (Japanese); Joe Daniels[3] (English)
The leader of the Yellow Heads.

Production and release

The anime series was announced on September 4, 2020, at the virtual Crunchyroll Expo.[2] The series was directed by Chikara Sakurai, most notable for directing the second season of the One-Punch Man anime. Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki served as an executive producer for its anime adaptation.[8] Kento Shimoyama wrote the series' scripts, Kensuke Ishikawa designed the characters, and Kana Shibue composed the music.[9] The series was animated by Telecom Animation Film with production management by Sola Entertainment.[10] The opening theme song is "Undead-Noid" performed by Kashitarō Itō, while the ending theme song is "Sympathy" performed by Narudora.[9][5] The series consists of 13 episodes and aired on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block and streamed on Crunchyroll from February 6 to May 1, 2022. The English dub of the series, as well as the English subtitled version, was produced by Sentai Studios.[4][10][3] The series premiered on multiple streaming services in Japan on April 7, 2022.[7] Shortly after its streaming launch in the country, it was announced that Tokyo MX would begin broadcasting the series a month later starting on May 3, 2022.[11]

According to the producer Yuu Kiyozono, the anime was in development for around two to three years during the time Shenmue III was produced and released. Kiyozono said that the production crew went to Yokosuka to get an accurate feel of the city's streets and atmosphere.[12] Most of the core Japanese voice actors returned from the video games, although some of the cast included new voice actors to appeal to the game's younger fanbase.[12]

Producer Joseph Chou stated that Suzuki was heavily involved in the production to plan out the narrative with backstory information that was never implemented in the games.[13] Sakurai added that some free roaming aspects were included with Ryo talking to people in the streets.[13] On October 8, 2021, Shenmue's first official trailer was revealed at New York Comic Con.[14]

On September 28, 2022, Jason DeMarco, the senior vice president of action and anime programming for Warner Bros. Discovery, confirmed that the series would not be renewed for a second season after it was removed from Adult Swim's website.[15]

Episodes

Notes

  1. ^ Sentai Studios was commissioned to produce the English dub and sub.
  2. ^ a b c Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
  3. ^ Adult Swim listed the series premiere on February 5, 2022, at 12:30 a.m. (24:30) EST/PST, which is effectively February 6. The English sub launched simultaneously on Crunchyroll.

References

  1. ^ "Shenmue anime coming to Crunchyroll and Adult Swim in February". January 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Shenmue Anime Announced for Crunchyroll and Adult Swim". IGN. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 19, 2022). "Shenmue Anime Reveals Trailer, Cast, Visual, February 6 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Petski, Denise (September 4, 2020). "'Shenmue' Anime Series Based On SEGA Game Franchise Greenlit By Crunchyroll & Adult Swim". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 2, 2022). "Shenmue Anime Reveals More Japanese Cast, Ending Song Artists". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "Shenmue the Animation (2022 TV Show) - Behind The Voice Actors". behindthevoiceactors.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  7. ^ a b c d e Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 9, 2022). "Shenmue Anime Reveals More Japanese Cast, April Debut in Japan". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Shenmue Is Getting Turned Into Anime Series, Original Creator Attached". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "「シェンムー」松風雅也＆櫻井孝宏が原作ゲームから続投、新ビジュ・予告も公開に". Natalie (in Japanese). January 20, 2022. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Shenmue Anime Coming from Crunchyroll and Adult Swim". comicbook. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "ONAIR｜Shenmue the Animation 公式サイト" [On-Air "Shenmue the Animation" Official Site]. shenmue-anime.jp. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Core Voice Cast Returning for Shenmue Anime Series, More". Siliconera. October 25, 2020. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Shenmue: Adult Swim & Crunchyroll seek vengeance with NYCC teaser for SEGA-inspired anime". October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  14. ^ "Shenmue the Animation First Trailer Revealed at NYCC 2021". October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Wolinsky, David (September 29, 2022). "Shenmue Anime Series Canceled". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "STORY | Shenmue the Animation 公式サイト" [Story "Shenmue the Animation" Official Site]. shenmue-anime.jp. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.

External links