Netflix Orders Two Anime Series and Renews ‘Aggretsuko’

Netflix has ordered two anime series – “Ultraman” and “Kengan Ashura.” “Ultraman,” which will be available for streaming this spring, is described as an action drama centered on a man possessing the spirit and DNA of the legendary hero Ultraman as he wears a metallic ultra suit and fights against evil. Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki direct the series from Production I.G and Sola Digital.

“Kengan Ashura,” from Larx Entertainment, follows Kazuo Yamashita is an ordinary 56-year-old man who one day is summoned by the chairman of his company and hired as a gladiator. He learns that these hired gladiators engage in battles called Kengan Matches to protect the corporate rights of the businesses they represent. Kazuo is assigned to battle a mysterious Kengan fighter named Ohma Tokita. Both men join the Kengan Zetsumei Tournament with the hope of winning the spot as chairman of the Kengan Organization.

Set for a 2019 launch, “Kengan Ashura” is directed by Seiji Kishi and written by Makoto Uezo.

Netflix, additionally, has renewed anime series “Aggretsuko” for a second season. The series follows 25-year-old red panda Retsuko, who works an oppressive office job by day and vents her frustrations through death metal karaoke at night. The series examines micro-aggressions, sexism, and the pressures society puts on people to conform to a specific “good” person image.