Shenmue: The Animation Explained

Shenmue: The Animation
Type:tv series
Director:Chikara Sakurai
Producer:Yu Suzuki
Music:Kana Shibue
Studio:Telecom Animation Film
Network:Tokyo MX, BS Nittere
First:February 6, 2022
Last:May 1, 2022
Episodes:13

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

An 18-year-old Japanese teenager who goes on a journey to avenge his father.
  • A high-ranking member of the Chi You Men.
  • A mysterious teenager who becomes Ryo's traveling companion.
  • Ryo's close friend.
  • Master Chen's son.
  • A low-ranking member of the Chi You Men.
  • The youngest member of Wuying Ren's gang, the Heavens.
  • A young Chinese woman who can most often be seen around Aberdeen.
  • Xiuying Hong / Lishao Tao
  • A Tai Chi martial artist and master of the Man Mo Temple.
    The leader of the notorious gang, the Heavens.
  • The leader of the Yellow Heads.

    • Production and release

    The anime series was announced on September 4, 2020, at the virtual Crunchyroll Expo. 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.[5] Kento Shimoyama wrote the series' scripts, Kensuke Ishikawa designed the characters, and Kana Shibue composed the music.[6] The series was animated by Telecom Animation Film with production management by Sola Entertainment.[7] The opening theme song is "Undead-Noid" performed by Kashitarō Itō, while the ending theme song is "Sympathy" performed by Narudora.[6] 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. The series premiered on multiple streaming services in Japan on April 7, 2022. 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.

    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.[8] 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.[8]

    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.[9] Sakurai added that some free roaming aspects were included with Ryo talking to people in the streets.[9] On October 8, 2021, Shenmues first official trailer was revealed at New York Comic Con.[10]

    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.[11]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Shenmue anime coming to Crunchyroll and Adult Swim in February. January 20, 2022. February 3, 2022. February 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203071659/https://www.thedigitalfix.com/shenmue/anime-crunchyroll. live.
    2. Web site: Shenmue Anime Announced for Crunchyroll and Adult Swim. IGN. September 4, 2020. December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227211908/https://www.ign.com/articles/shenmue-anime-adult-swim-crunchyroll. live.
    3. Web site: Shenmue Anime Reveals Trailer, Cast, Visual, February 6 Premiere. Anime News Network. January 19, 2022. January 19, 2022. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. January 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119230452/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-01-19/shenmue-anime-reveals-trailer-cast-visual-february-6-premiere/.181681. live.
    4. Web site: 'Shenmue' Anime Series Based On SEGA Game Franchise Greenlit By Crunchyroll & Adult Swim. Petski. Denise. Deadline Hollywood. September 4, 2020. September 4, 2020. December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227211903/https://deadline.com/2020/09/shenmue-anime-series-based-on-sega-game-franchise-greenlit-by-crunchyroll-adult-swim-1234569523/. live.
    5. Web site: Shenmue Is Getting Turned Into Anime Series, Original Creator Attached. GameSpot. September 5, 2020. December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227211916/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/some-of-the-best-nintendo-switch-games-of-2020-are-on-sale-at-the-eshop/1100-6485751/. live.
    6. Web site: 「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. ja. January 20, 2022. January 20, 2022. January 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120000811/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/462314. live.
    7. Web site: Shenmue Anime Coming from Crunchyroll and Adult Swim. comicbook. September 4, 2020. December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227211903/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/shenmue-anime-crunchyroll-adult-swim/. live.
    8. Web site: Core Voice Cast Returning for Shenmue Anime Series, More. Siliconera. October 25, 2020. October 26, 2020. October 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029062454/https://www.siliconera.com/core-voice-cast-returning-for-shenmue-anime-series-more/. live.
    9. Web site: Shenmue: Adult Swim & Crunchyroll seek vengeance with NYCC teaser for SEGA-inspired anime. October 6, 2021. October 8, 2021. October 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211008112923/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/shenmue-new-york-comic-con-2021. live.
    10. Web site: Shenmue the Animation First Trailer Revealed at NYCC 2021. October 8, 2021. October 8, 2021. October 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211008112915/https://www.siliconera.com/shenmue-the-animation-first-trailer-revealed-at-nycc-2021/. live.
    11. Web site: Wolinsky. David. Shenmue Anime Series Canceled. GameSpot. September 29, 2022. October 3, 2022. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003083740/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/shenmue-anime-series-canceled/1100-6507932/. live.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Shenmue: The Animation".

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