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. A co-production between Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, the series aired from February to May 2022. 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.

Characters

 * Ryo Hazuki (芭月涼)
 * An 18-year-old Japanese teenager who goes on a journey to avenge his father.
 * An 18-year-old Japanese teenager who goes on a journey to avenge his father.


 * Lan Di (藍帝)
 * A high-ranking member of the Chi You Men.
 * A high-ranking member of the Chi You Men.


 * Shenhua (シェンファ)
 * A mysterious teenager who becomes Ryo's traveling companion.
 * A mysterious teenager who becomes Ryo's traveling companion.


 * Nozomi Harasaki (原崎 望)
 * Ryo's close friend.
 * Ryo's close friend.


 * Guizhang Chen (陳 貴章)
 * Master Chen's son.
 * Master Chen's son.


 * Chai (チャイ)
 * A low-ranking member of the Chi You Men.
 * A low-ranking member of the Chi You Men.


 * Wong (ウォン)
 * The youngest member of Wuying Ren's gang, the Heavens.
 * The youngest member of Wuying Ren's gang, the Heavens.


 * Joy (ジョイ)
 * A young Chinese woman who can most often be seen around Aberdeen.
 * 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.
 * A Tai Chi martial artist and master of the Man Mo Temple.


 * Ren Wuying (レン・ウーイン)
 * The leader of the notorious gang, the Heavens.
 * The leader of the notorious gang, the Heavens.


 * Dou Niu (斗牛)
 * The leader of the Yellow Heads.
 * 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. Kento Shimoyama wrote the series' scripts, Kensuke Ishikawa designed the characters, and Kana Shibue composed the music. The series was animated by Telecom Animation Film with production management by Sola Entertainment. The opening theme song is "Undead-Noid" performed by Kashitarō Itō, while the ending theme song is "Sympathy" performed by Narudora. 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. 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.

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

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.