Looks like Netflix's drive for new content has finally reached anime. The service's UK & Ireland Twitter feed announced "Gauna beware! Mecha sci-fi anime show Knights of Sidonia to hit Netflix immediately after Japanese TV. Summer 2014. "

Gauna beware! Mecha sci-fi anime show Knights of Sidonia to hit Netflix immediately after Japanese TV. Summer 2014. pic.twitter.com/53NnXpg0ur

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) December 12, 2013

Another Irish report says the fully computer-animated anime will air across all Netflix (in Japanese with subtitles option or a dubbed option) in Summer 2014.

UPDATE: Netflix's press release confirmsthe complete first 12 episode season of Polygon Pictures’ anime series will be available in all Netflix territories in Summer of 2014.

“Netflix has a huge base of anime fans and we are thrilled to be bringing exclusively for the first time them a first-run anime series, especially one as well-plotted, humorous and beautifully animated as Knights of Sidonia,” said Erik Barmack, VP, Independent Content at Netflix.

 “We are ecstatic at the opportunity to run 'Knights of Sidonia' firstly and exclusively on Netflix.  This is an epochal deal, as we are able to deliver our beloved anime property to a wider audience in direct and timely fashion, than ever before,” said Shuzo John Shiota, CEO of Polygon.

The spring 2014 anime is produced by Polygon Pictures (Transformers: Prime, Tron: Rising, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as its 30th anniversary title. Kobun Shizuno, who directed 2005-2007 American TV series G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 for Gonzo and three Detective Conan films in 2011-2013 (Quarter of Silence, The Eleventh Striker, Private Eye in the Distant Sea), serves as the director.

The series, the manga of which is released in North America by Vertical, explores the the struggles and evolution of the inhabitants of a massive seed ship a millennium after gigantic aliens known as Gauna destroyed Earth's solar system.

 Cast

• Nagate Tanikaze - Ryota Oosaka
• Aya Suzaki - Shizuka Hoshijiro
• Aki Toyasako - Izana Shinatose
• Takahiro Sakurai - Norio Kumato
• Hisako Kanemoto - Yuhata Midorikawa
• Eri Kitamura - Honora Series
• Sayaka Ohara - la Capitán Kobayashi
• Tomohiro Tsuboi - Ichiro Seii
• Takehito Koyasu - Ochiai
• Satomi Arai - Lala Hiyama
• Atsuko Tanaka - Samarai Ittan
• Nanako Mori - Eiko Yamano
• Takako Honda - Sasaki
• Kousuke Toriumi - Tsuruuchi
• Ayane Sakura - Mozuku Kunato
• Osamu Saka - Shinsuke Tanba

Staff
•Director: Kobun Shizuno
•Co-director: Hiroyuki Seshita
•Series Construction/Script Sadayuki Murai
•Production Designer: Naoya Tanaka
•Art Director: Mitsunori Kataama
•CG Supervisor: Masayuki Uemoto
•Character Designer: Yuki Moriyama
•Production: Polygon Pictures

via RollingPirahna