It's time to start practicing your best martial arts moves and searching for sailors, because Shenmue the Animation officially has a premiere date. The series is set to kick off on Crunchyroll and Adult Swim on Saturday, February 5 at 9:30pm Pacific Time, with Crunchyroll streaming the subtitled version worldwide outside of Japan and Adult Swim airing the English dub. 

 

The original Shenmue game first made its debut on SEGA’s Dreamcast console back on December 29, 1999, and the 13-episode anime adaptation aims to capture the essence of its intrigue and action. 

 

Trailer:

 

Shenmue

Launch Time: February 5 at 9:30pm PT

Territories: Worldwide ex. Japan

 

Synopsis:

1985, Yokosuka. Ryo Hazuki has trained to master the Hazuki Style Jujitsu under his strict father in the Hazuki Dojo from his childhood. However, one day a mysterious man named Lan Di murders his father and takes the “mirror” his father was protecting. Ryo is determined to find the truth behind his father’s murder, but soon finds himself getting stuck in a war between the underground organizations…. Traveling from Yokosuka to Hong Kong, Ryo’s long journey begins!

 

 

Cast and staff members for Shenmue the Animation revealed thus far include:

 

• Ryo Hazuki voiced by Masaya Matsukaze (Japanese) and Austin Tindle (English): A high school boy and heir to the Hazuki style martial arts. When his father is murdered by a mysterious man named Lan Di, Ryo begins a journey to polish his martial arts and uncover the truth behind his father’s death.
• Lan Di voiced by Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese) and Scott Gibbs (English): A high-ranking member of the underground organization Chi You Men who murders Ryo’s father and steals the Dragon Mirror.
• Shenhua voiced by Natalie Rial (English): A young girl who lives in a rural village in Guilin under the care of her foster father. Pure and simple, she has vast knowledge of plants, animals, and other natural survival skills.
• Nozomi Harasaki voiced by Cat Thomas (English): Ryo’s classmate who has secretly admired him ever since he saved her from bullies in middle school. Strong and considerate, she usually spends her time helping in her grandmother’s flower shop.
• Guizhang Chen voiced by Jeremy Gee (English): Guizhang was born in Yokohama and taught martial arts by his father from a young age. Since Ryo has a similar upbringing, although Guizhang acts cold he feels close to Ryo.
• Chai - voiced by Greg Ayres (English): A member of Chi You Men. He has a unique condition allowing him to do superhuman-like moves. After Lan Di has taken the Dragon mirror, he begins looking for the second mirror. 
• Wong voiced by Bryson Baugus (English): A member of Heavens. He looks up to Ren like a brother and aspires to be like him. 
• Joy voiced by Luci Christian (English): Joy is a young woman who loves motorcycles. Her father runs a trade business and is highly trusted by many. Like Ryo, Joy has also lost her mother at a young age.
• Xiuying Hong voiced by Christine Auten (English): Her priest name is Lishao Tao. Although she is young, she is known as the grand master of Bajiquan. Her facial expression is always calm, but her clear eyes look like she can see through people’s hearts and intentions. 
• Ren voiced by Cody House (English): The charismatic head of Heavens, a street gang that operates in Beverly Hills Wharf. He is obsessed with money and does not trust anyone other than his friends. Ren is rivals with the Yellow Heads gang and plans to beat them one day. 
• Dou Niu voiced by Joe Daniels (English): While being the boss of Yellow Heads, Dou Niu is also part of Chi You Men. To gain trust from Lan Di, he also begins looking for Yuanda Zhu. Dou Niu has a large bear-like body, which puts Ryo and his friends in a difficult situation when fighting him.

 

Japanese cast members Masaya Matsukaze and Takahiro Sakurai commented on their roles.

 

Masaya Matsukaze (Ryo Hazuki): 

 

 

With the help of everyone, I was able to experience the release of the newest game of the series after 20 years of its initial release, and now the animation!

For me Shenmue is a special series.

I hope that the fans and others who do not know Shenmue can enjoy this. 

I am very excited about this as well. Let’s enjoy it together.

 

Takahiro Sakurai (Lan Di):

 

 

I will be voicing Lan Di.

My first encounter with Shenmue was when I just started my voice acting career and joined in as a test voice for Shenmue. 

It was an important and eye-opening experience for me. 

And now Shenmue is back as an animation.

I was excited when I heard this news.

Even after 20 years of its initial release the story of Shenmue is still vibrant. I hope we can enjoy this together.

 

STAFF

 

Original Creator/Executive Producer

Yu Suzuki

 

Director

Chikara Sakurai (One-Punch Man Season 2)

 

Scripts

Kento Shimoyama (Bleach, We Rent Tsukumogami)

 

Character Design

Udaka

 

Chief Animation Director

Kensuke Ishikawa (Tower of God)

 

Opening Theme

Ito Kashitaro - "UNDEAD-NOID"

 

Animation Production

Telecom Animation Film

 

Production Management

Sola Entertainment

 

 

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.