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Just a day after Toonami informed us of Uzumaki’s delay to October 2022, Toonami and Crunchyroll gave us an update on another original production headed to the block in the near future. Today during a panel at the 2021 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Production I.G revealed new details on the upcoming Toonami/Crunchyroll co-production Fena: Pirate Princess, including a brand-new trailer and key visual.
Fans won’t have to wait long to check out this new story, as Fena: Pirate Princess will begin airing dubbed on Toonami and streaming subbed on Crunchyroll later this summer.
adult swim on Twitter: “Here’s a first look at the new #Toonami Series Fena: Pirate Princess from Adult Swim and @Crunchyroll – because there’s room for more than one great pirate anime pic.twitter.com/ZruMY9OS6a / Twitter”
Here’s a first look at the new #Toonami Series Fena: Pirate Princess from Adult Swim and @Crunchyroll – because there’s room for more than one great pirate anime pic.twitter.com/ZruMY9OS6a
The show’s synopsis is as follows (via Crunchyroll):
Fena Houtman remembers little about her childhood. Orphaned and raised as a servant in a brothel, her life changes when she escapes to an island of pirates where she discovers the truth behind her family. With Fena being the only one able to unlock her family’s secrets, and a formidable crew of female pirates on her tail, she must take her place as captain of her Samurai crew for a high seas adventure!
Presented as part of the Annecy Festival’s “Work in Progress” series, the panelists include director Kazuto Nakazawa and producer Rui Kuroki. The panel itself is not available to view for the public at the moment, but several behind-the-scenes artworks have been released for interested viewers.
According to Animation Magazine’s , Nakazawa cited shoujo manga as a major influence in creating the new series: “It made me want to make an anime with a flavor of Shoujo manga in it.” He also mentioned that Fena: Pirate Princess has adventure and action, “but it is basically a love story.”
Although Toonami mainly focuses on airing action cartoons and anime, this is consistent with Toonami wishing to branch out to air other forms of anime as evidenced by the airings of Food Wars!, Pop Team Epic, and The Promised Neverland. In regards to Toonami original productions, this could help out producers and directors in regards to creative freedom.
SPIRAL CURSE DEMARCO on Twitter: “My next few anime projects: Pirates, Sci-fi, Horror, Martial Arts/Videogame. My interests haven’t changed much since age… uh… 5 / Twitter”
My next few anime projects: Pirates, Sci-fi, Horror, Martial Arts/Videogame. My interests haven’t changed much since age… uh… 5
While most anime airing on Toonami is based on a manga or a light novel, Fena: Pirate Princess is an original story written by director Kazuto Nakazawa and screenplay writer Asako Kuboyama. Production I.G is producing the animation. The series will feature music composed by Yuki Kajiura, known among Toonami fans for composing the soundtracks for .hack and Sword Art Online, with FlyingDog handling music production.
Production I.G also revealed the main characters to Fena: Pirate Princess, as well as their Japanese voice actors. Asami Seto will play the lead role, Fena Houtman. Some of her notable works include voicing Raphtalia in The Rising of the Shield Hero, Mai Sakurajima in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and Miyoko Hōjō in Food Wars! The English dub cast has yet to be revealed.
Fena Houtman (voiced by Asami Seto): A positive, cheerful orphan despite her traumatic past. Known for her pale skin and glowing silver hair.
Yukimaru (voiced by Ryota Suzuki): The introverted, katana-wielding bodyguard of the Houtman family. He is extremely protective of Fena.
Shitan (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai): This handsome, elite warrior can kill with his bow and arrow—or his looks. Though on the surface he seems aloof, he greatly values his friends.
Karin (voiced by Aoi Yuki): Raised by a family of blacksmiths, Karin geeks out over technology like her rifle, which she uses to great effect in battle.
Enju (voiced by Gen Sato): Kaede’s elder twin. They both use a spear and wakizashi in battle, they’re both friendly and mischievous, but Enju feels he’s more dependable than his younger brother.
Kaede (voiced by Ryota Osaka): Enju’s younger twin. They both use a spear and wakizashi in battle, they’re both friendly and mischievous, but Kaede feels he’s more manly than his elder brother.
Tsubaki (voiced by Jun Osuka): The oldest and most mature member of the group, he manages everyone’s wild energy. He’s also the cook, but when he fights, he uses a short ninja sword.
Makaba (voiced by Shintaro Tanaka): This mountain of a boy prefers fighting in close quarters with brass knuckles. When he’s not fighting, he’s kind-hearted and mild-mannered.
Salman (voiced by Manabu Muraji): An older knight who was once called “Salman the Onslaught” for being so deadly with a spear. He’s known Fena since she was a girl as he served the Houtman family for some time.
Otto (voiced by Hiroaki Hirata): Another older knight who served the Houtman family and possessed an intimidating nickname in his younger days—”Otto the Blitz” for his quick swordplay.
Fena: Pirate Princess and Uzumaki won’t be the only shows in development for Toonami we’ll be hearing about, as Jason DeMarco noted that updates for other Toonami original productions, including Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Shenmue: The Animation, and Scavengers will be revealed in the near future.
SPIRAL CURSE DEMARCO on Twitter: “Yes, yes and yes. / Twitter”
Yes, yes and yes.
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