Netflix has acquired the new anime series based on the Shigeru Mizuki-illustrated manga series Akuma-kun, with the series due to be released later in 2023.
The original manga series, which was originally released back in the 1960s, has long-enjoyed success on the small screen, being adapted into a live-action show in 1966 as well as an anime series in the late 1980s. Netflix has gained the rights to release the brand new series of the iconic Japanese favourite, with Yūko Mita and Toshio Furukawa from the original anime set to return for leading voice roles.
The new anime is due to be utterly bonkers, telling the story of Ichiro Ureki, a young genius who was raised by the devil, and his partner in crime named Mephisto III, who are forced to take on a sinister plot conjured from hell. Fumitoshi Oizaki of A Centaur’s Life and Place to Place will be helming the series, whilst Hiroshi Ōnogi of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will be penning the script.
Akuma-kun will add to the pre-existing number of anime series on Netflix, including My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer and Tokyo Ghoul, among many other titles. Back in 2020, Netflix committed to future anime projects by allowing six Japanese filmmakers to develop new original projects. At the time, Taiki Sakurai, the Chief Producer of anime at Netflix stated: “These partnerships are part of our broader investment strategy to support Japanese anime – giving creators the ability to tell bold, innovative stories and giving them access to fans all around the world, because storytelling is boundless in the world of anime”.
Soon, the streaming service will be releasing the highly-anticipated series PLUTO, a series based on the manga of the same name, which is itself based on Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy ‘The Greatest Robot on Earth’. The drama tells the story of a futuristic world where humans and robots live in harmony, with the multi-award-winning manga being a favourite of fans across the world.
Take a look at our first sneak peek into PLUTO below.
