Shenmue the Animation

Shenmue the Animation is a Japanese/American anime series based on the SEGA video game series of the same name. The anime is a co-production between Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, animated by Telecom Animation Film and directed by Chikara Sakurai. Yu Suzuki, the creator of the game series, also serves as executive producer. The anime adapts the storyline of the first two games in the Shenmue series, following protagonist Ryo Hazuki's quest for revenge for his father's murder, taking him from Yokosuka, Japan, to Hong Kong, and mainland China. The series aired on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block and streamed on Crunchyroll from February to May 2022. Comprising 13 episodes, the anime covered the stories of Shenmue I and II, while including some story ideas that were never implemented in the games due to budget, time, or rating reasons. Though there were intentions to create a second season, the series was cancelled in September 2022. Despite the cancellation, the animation remains a beloved addition to the Shenmue story among fans.