‘Blade Runner’ Anime Series Being Developed For Adult Swim & Crunchyroll

Even with the critical acclaim received, “Blade Runner 2049” didn’t necessarily set the box office world on fire when it hit theaters last year. Combined with its massive price tag, the financial disappointment of ‘2049’ seemingly ensured that the sci-fi franchise would be put on the shelf yet again. However, thanks to Adult Swim and Crunchyroll, the “Blade Runner” universe is getting a fresh start in animation.

Variety reports that Adultswim and Crunchyroll are set to produce and distribute a brand-new animated series inspired by “Blade Runner” and ‘2049.’ The new series, titled “Blade Runner — Black Lotus” will consist of 13 episodes and will be set in the year 2032. Though the details of the exact plot are being kept quiet (would you expect anything else from this franchise?), it is reported that familiar characters from the established franchise will show up in some capacity.

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“I first saw ‘Blade Runner’ in 1982, at age 11,” said Jason DeMarco, SVP and creative director of Adult Swim on-air. “It has remained one of the defining films of my life. To be able to explore more of this universe, with the incredible talent we have on board, is a dream come true.”

Sae Whan Song, head of business development for Crunchyroll, said, “’Blade Runner’ is a seminal work, and its influence permeates the genre. Adult Swim shares our excitement to bring this new series to fans, and we’re looking forward to building on this franchise together.”

Adult Swim will distribute the English-dubbed version of the series worldwide, minus Asia. And Crunchyroll will have the worldwide streaming rights to the series. Both companies are divisions of WarnerMedia.

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‘Black Lotus’ will have some serious talent behind the scenes, ensuring that this “Blade Runner” spin-off is not just a simple cash grab. Directors Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama will be on board for each of the 13 episodes. They’re perhaps best known for working on the upcoming “Ghost in the Shell” reboot. And famed “Cowboy Bebop” mastermind Shinichiro Watanabe will serve as a creative producer. Watanabe has dabbled in the sci-fi franchise before, as the writer and director of the short film “Blade Runner Black Out 2022,” which was one of the anime short prequels to ‘2049.’

There’s no release date as of now for ‘Black Lotus.’