Shenmue the Animation receives first look trailer

Shenmue the Animation was announced back in 2020 at the Crunchyroll Expo; obviously based on the seminal Shenmue series of games, it is set to launch sometime in 2022. Yu Suzuki, the original series creator, is acting as producer for the anime adaption and even most of the original voice actors from the game are returning for the 13 part series. Production seems to be going along nicely, as Crunchyroll have just released a trailer showing off the series for the first time.

Shenmue the Animation looks like it will be focusing on the first game in the series based on the trailer with numerous scenes matching up with in game events, such as finding the secret room in your father’s Dojo for example. Apparently the series has actually been in production much longer then you would think and has been in development for 2-3 years whilst work was being completed on Shenmue 3.

Apparently, the production crew actually made a trip to Yokosuka to get a feel for the town and it’s atmosphere. If you have not played any of the games before, the protagonist Ryo Hazuki witnesses his fathers murder and then dedicates his life to tracking down the man responsible. Starting out in Yokosuka his journey takes him to Hong Kong and beyond – although that may need to wait for season 2.

Shenmue the Animation will be released 2022 and is a co production between Crunchyroll and Adult Swim.