Netflix is betting big on anime with a new Tomb Raider, latest in series of anime versions
Netflix has just unveiled a first look at its upcoming anime series, "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft," indicating the streaming giant's continued pursuit of the anime audience.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
Netflix provided a sneak peek of the highly-anticipated Tomb Raider anime series on September 27, during its inaugural virtual event, known as DROP 01.
This release comes amid recent controversies surrounding the show's status. However, it is now evident that the series is not only confirmed but also has a projected release window.
While the trailer doesn't divulge much, it is clear that the series will capture the same gritty themes and tones as the recent video games. Lara Croft will be voiced by Hailey Atwell, known for her roles in "Mission Impossible" and "Captain/Agent Carter."
Take a look at the first look:
Lara Croft has been the central character in the popular action-adventure video game series introduced in 1996 by British game developer Core Design. It later spawned three live-action movie adaptations with Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander portraying the titular character.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this anime series will continue the Square Enix journey of Croft, picking up after the events of the 2013-2018 video game reboot.
Netflix's new anime trend
With "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft," Netflix has now transformed three major movie/game storylines into anime series, capitalizing on the current anime trend in the entertainment industry.
Scott Pilgrim takes off
In March 2022, Netflix announced an anime adaptation of Edgar Wright's popular movie "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," titled "Scott Pilgrim Takes Off." The original film was adapted from Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel series.
The anime will feature most of the original cast from the 2010 movie, with actors providing voices for their respective characters. This includes stars like Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, and many more.
Fans were thrilled by the announcement of the anime series, scheduled for release in November 2023, as the live-action version gained a significant following after its release.
Take a look at the live-action trailer:
Skull Island
Released in June 2022, "Skull Island," part of Netflix's anime expansion, failed to meet expectations. It is an anime adaptation set in the Kong and Godzilla universe, following a crew of researchers who find themselves stranded on King Kong's home island - Skull Island.
The series encountered issues from the outset, including annoying characters and repetitive content, marking a disappointing start to Netflix's anime adaptation endeavour.
Other animes announced in DROP 01
Anime's popularity is currently at an all-time high, and Netflix is determined not to miss this opportunity. The DROP 01 event featured announcements about many other upcoming anime titles on the streaming platform. Some of them include:
- First seven minutes of Castlevania: Nocturne
- First look at Masters of the Universe: Revolution
- Blue-Eye Samurai
- Official clip from Scott Pilgrim takes Off
- Devil May Cry
Certainly, Netflix believes that now is the ideal time to focus on anime, and the DROP 01 event has solidified their commitment to this endeavour.