Crunchyroll to produce original content, starting in 2019

Crunchyroll is already the go-to source to catch the best anime of the season, but now the streaming service is following the lead of platforms like Netflix and producing its own programming. Beginning with the coming-of-age anime High Guardian Spice, Crunchyroll will kick off slate of original content starting in 2019.

High Guardian Spice, created by Raye Rodriguez, focuses on the lives of four girls — Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Parsley — who meet at Guardian Academy as they train to become guardians. The girls hone their battle and sorcery skills while also navigating adolescence and preparing to combat an ominous unknown threat.

The series will be produced by Ellation Studios, which was launched in order to produce original content for Crunchyroll. The move toward original content isn’t without precedence — Crunchyroll has already co-produced over 50 series, including Kiznaiver and Laid-Back Camp.

“With Crunchyroll Originals, we’re looking to showcase animation as an art form, delivering meaningful original content that draws from our strengths,” Ellation Studios head Margaret Dean said in a news release. “Raye [Rodriguez]’s team has been inspiring to work with, and we can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store for them.”

High Guardian Spice will premiere on Crunchyroll in 2019.