Netflix’s next anime series based on Pacific Rim, Altered Carbon

Netflix is increasing its partnership with Asian entertainment: The streaming giant announced 17 new Asian original productions Thursday, including five new anime series.

The first of these new anime series will be set in the Pacific Rim universe and follow two siblings learning to pilot an abandoned Jaeger while searching for their parents. While Netflix is calling this series an anime, it has yet to announced an animation studio. The adaptation will be produced by Legendary Entertainment and showrunners Craig Kyle, one of the writers behind Thor: Ragnarok, and Greg Johnson, the head writer for the X-Men: Evolution animated series.

Netflix also announced several adaptations that would also be part of its anime lineup. Altered Carbon, based on the novel by Richard K. Morgan, will explore different parts of the universe than the Netflix live-action show. Dai Sato, who has previously worked on Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, will adapt.

Cagaster of an Insect Cage, based on a manga bout people who turn into giant insects, will be directed by Full Metal Panic! director, Koichi Chigira and animated by Studio Gonzo (Afro Samurai).

Finally, Trese will be based on a Philippine graphic novel about a girl taking on a criminal underworld full of supernatural beings. Jay Oliva (Wonder Woman, The Legend of Korra) will executive produce.

Netflix is also adding an original story to its slate upcoming anime called Yasuke. The series’ main character is, very lightly, based on the historical African samurai Yasuke, and will be voiced by Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta, Get Out). Yasuke will follow a retired ronin who is forced to escort a child through a feudal Japan that features “mechs and magic.” The series will be created by LeSean Thomas, who has previously worked on The Boondocks, and will be animated by the Japanese Studio MAPPA, which animated Kakegurui and Yuri on Ice.

While none of these have firm release dates yet, according to Netflix’s news release, most of them should be released sometime in 2019.