Netflix Is Producing An Original Anime Series

Netflix is known for producing original hit shows like Orange is the New Black, but they’ll be taking on a new challenge this year, producing an original anime series.

According to Fortune, the series called Perfect Bones is about scientists experimenting on children with the hope of creating the “perfect human” in the future. However, mayhem ensues as the children are kidnapped by an evil organization, before the scientists can use the children to do good.

The 12-episode series was directed by Kazuto Nakazawa, who worked on the animated sequence of the film Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and cult favorite Ghost in the Shell. The new Netflix series will have the distinction of being the first, original anime title to have all of the episodes debut simultaneously in 190 countries according to a Netflix press release published on February 24.

Michael O’Connell of The Hollywood Reporter said the company is “making a big play for anime eyeballs,” with the announcement of the series.

“In an era where the Internet knows no bounds, we are proud to deliver high quality original Anime to fans all over the world, at the exact same time, no matter where they live whether it be Japan, France, Mexico, the U.S., and beyond,” said Erik Barmack, Netflix’s vice president of international originals, in a statement.

In the past, Netflix has purchased exclusive streaming rights to Japanese anime, most notably the series Knights of Sidonia according to Verge. That series, which premiered on July 4, 2014, gave viewers the option of watching either the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles or an English language dub.

Wired U.K. reported that Perfect Bones will be produced by Production I.G., whose credits include Patlabor and director Nakazawa’s Ghost in the Shell. And the series will follow in the style of other shows such as Daredevil, where a “familiar complete season release model” will be implemented.

Production I.G.’s president Mitsuhisa Ishikawa is excited about the collaboration between his company and the streaming service.

“Among all the TV series and films Netflix offers, the titles I personally find the most amazing are Netflix originals,” said Ishikawa. “Production I.G is eager to present another impactful title brought through our creators’ passion and imagination.”

As of now, Netflix hasn’t announced a release date for Perfect Bones. Anime fans will take pleasure in knowing that the new series might not need to be reanimated because animators won’t be under the pressure of tight deadlines typical of Japanese television.

“Netflix’s model removes that pressure for weekly broadcast slots, but given how slow the material can be to produce, fans could be waiting a while to see Perfect Bones in full,” said Matt Kamen, of Wired U.K.

This is good news for Netflix’s CEO Reed Hastings, who had said in November 2015 that he would like to bring more anime series and even some Bollywood productions to his service.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll, over time, make a great Bollywood show, make a great anime show,” said Hastings.

According to Wired U.K., Hastings had been experimenting with providing international programming to its 75 million subscribers last year. Some of the projects have included the Danish film Rita and the series Narcos about Pablo Escobar, a Colombian drug lord. This series has the distinction of being produced by a French company and featuring Brazilian actors.

However, one of Netflix’s most anticipated productions has been Fuller House, a reboot of the 80’s sitcom Full House, according to The New York Times.

Writer John Koblin has said that while the Silicon Valley based company has produced shows for young children it now wants to target families; an audience that he feels they and cable networks have “abandoned.”

“If Netflix has its way, families will watch these offerings at home together, just like in the old days,” said Koblin.

[Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]