The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Gonzo Animation Studio greeted fans with a Happy New Year message, sharing exciting developments about the studio's upcoming projects. It was revealed that Gonzo is actively working on two new anime TV series, scheduled to premiere within this year and next. This marks the studio’s first return to TV series since the conclusion of Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle in 2020.
Gonzo's CEO, Shinichiro Ishikawa, shared the news with fans, expressing gratitude for their support. In his statement, he mentioned the studio’s exciting plans for the year ahead, hinting at the highly anticipated anime releases. He also teased a few events to commemorate the studio's legacy, including celebrating the 20th anniversary of Basilisk in March and participating in an event for the Kaleido Star franchise in April.
Exciting New Projects on the Horizon
In addition to the two major TV series, Gonzo is collaborating with N LITE (Mfinda) on two intriguing upcoming projects: Ripper and Hotaru. As reported exclusively by Variety, Ripper will be a live-action/anime hybrid feature, blending live-action with traditional anime styles. The story follows two detectives tracking down a serial killer responsible for the deaths of the women they loved. Hotaru, on the other hand, will be a sci-fi/fantasy TV series about two star-crossed warriors in a swashbuckling adventure filled with magic and romance. Peter Ramsey, co-director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, is serving as the executive producer for both projects.
Ripper is set to feature a unique historical and cultural perspective, blending the experiences of Black and Japanese people in WWII-era Japan—a narrative that is expected to bring a fresh, groundbreaking approach to anime storytelling.
The Significance of 'Hotaru' and 'Ripper'
As Christiano Terry, the producer of Hotaru, pointed out, building cultural bridges and partnerships within the anime community is essential to the studio’s future success. He expressed his excitement about collaborating with Peter Ramsey and praised the long legacy of Gonzo’s influential works, such as Afro Samurai, which continues to inspire their current projects.
Peter Ramsey expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the historic intersection that Ripper aims to explore. He sees this as an unprecedented opportunity to delve into cultural storytelling within the realm of anime.
Gonzo’s founder, Shinichiro Ishikawa, also emphasized that these new projects are designed as inclusive international co-productions, aiming to captivate global anime fans with innovative and diverse narratives.
Ripper and Hotaru: Global Collaborations with Major Animation Talent
Ripper Staff:
- Creators: Samantha Inoue Harte, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, Rafael Antonio Ruiz
- Executive Producers: Peter Ramsey, Shinichiro Ishikawa, Julius Tennon, Melanie Clark, Christiano Terry
- Animation Production: Gonzo Animation Studio
Hotaru Staff:
- Creators: Samantha Inoue Harte, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, Christiano Terry
- Executive Producers: Peter Ramsey, Samantha Inoue Harte, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra
- Animation Production: Gonzo
Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits and Gonzo’s Return to the Studio Limelight
As anime fans eagerly await more news, Gonzo is also rumored to be involved in the production of Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits season 2, which is set for a Fall 2025 release. While the production studio for this sequel has yet to be confirmed, Gonzo’s involvement in the first season and its role as a significant rightsholder in the production committee raise questions about the studio’s potential return to this beloved series.
The Kakuriyo series is based on Midori Yuma’s light novel series and has captured the hearts of anime enthusiasts worldwide. Given Gonzo's longstanding history with successful anime franchises like Hellsing, Full Metal Panic!, and Rosario + Vampire, there is considerable anticipation surrounding the studio's potential role in the upcoming season.
Gonzo’s Rich History and Resurgence
Founded in 2000 and having gone through a series of financial restructuring efforts, Gonzo is now experiencing a resurgence. Despite challenges over the years, including the company’s merger with Digimation in 2002 and major financial losses in 2008, Gonzo continues to remain a key player in the anime production industry.
In 2019, Gonzo became independent from ADK Holdings, with Ishikawa purchasing back all shares of the company, which now operates as a fully independent studio. Today, Gonzo continues to thrive with a diverse portfolio of over 80 titles, marking its legacy as one of the most influential anime production houses.
For the latest updates and announcements, be sure to follow Gonzo’s Global X account (@GONZOAnimeIntl) and stay tuned for more exciting anime series and collaborations in 2025 and beyond.
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