The long awaited anime adaptation of Yu Suzuki's beloved action-adventure video game series is almost here, as Shenmue: The Animation gets a new trailer and it premieres on Adult Swim this February 5!
Here's the official trailer from Adult Swim and Crunchyroll... And there are two versions in English and Japanese!
OFFICIAL TRAILER | Shenmue the Animation (English)
OFFICIAL TRAILER | Shenmue the Animation (Japanese)
First released in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, the first Shenmue game chronicles teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki's journey to avenge his father's death. His quest takes him from his hometown in Yokosuka, Japan to Hong Kong and China, which was continued in the sequels Shenmue II and III.
Shenmue: The Animation will be 13 episodes and it begins on Adult Swim this February 5!
One of the most awaited anime adaptations of a saga beloved by many video game fans finally gets its first look trailer straight from New York Comic Con, as Shenmue: The Animation is coming next year and it looks absolutely beautiful in adapting the story of Ryo Hazuki and his journey to avenge his father's murder!
Here's a look at the series that will be an Adult Swim and Crunchyroll joint presentation!
FIRST LOOK | Shenmue the Animation | adult swim
Shenmue: The Animation will be released some time in 2022!
Fans of Yu Suzuki's "Shenmue" video game series are about to experience the epic action-adventure story in a new way, as Cruncyrolland Adult Swim have announced "Shenmue the Animation" - a 13 episode anime series that will be directed by Chikara Sakurai with animation production done by Telecom Animation Film.
Suzuki will serve as Executive Producer for the series -- which is the latest news for the much loved saga that began life in the Sega Dreamcast with the first game release in 1999 (2000 in the US). Shenmue would see a sequel in "Shenmue II" released in 2001, but would not get a new game until 2019 with the release of "Shenmue III" - which was announced as a Kickstarter project in 2015 and successfully crowdfunded by fans who wanted a continuation to Ryo Hazuki's story.
Nearly two decades after "time stopped" and the series was left at a cliffhanger moment, Shenmue fans and players FINALLY get the moment they've been waiting for with the release of "Shenmue III" for the Playstation 4 and PC! Yu Suzuki's successful Kickstarter bid to continue the story has finally gone gold and is on sale now - picking things right where they left off and seeing Ryo Hazuki continue his journey around China to find his father's killer and avenge him.
As an action-adventure game series that has touched the hearts of fans who played the first two games during the days of the SEGA Dreamcast, Shenmue needs no introduction and was a game literally ahead of its time. Besides introducing QTE's and an "open-world" type setting for its day, this was a genuine nostalgic journey that took one martial artist living in late 1980's Japan from his hoemtown of Yokosuka to Hong Kong, and now we see the story continue through other parts of China as seen in this launch trailer below.
Shenmue III - The Story Goes On Launch Trailer | PS4
If you need a better example of how Shenmue III begins, here's the first 40 minutes of gameplay as presented by Arekkz Gaming in YouTube.
SHENMUE 3 | Gameplay Part 1 - First 40 Minutes
Shenmue III is now available for Playstation 4 and Windows PC worldwide.
Appearing at a panel discussion and presentation at the Magic 2019 event held at Monaco, legendary video game creator and producer Yu Suzuki unveiled a brand new gameplay trailer for "Shenmue III" - the long awaited new sequel and continuation to his epic martial arts adventure saga that sees young Japanese martial artist Ryo Hazuki travelling from Japan to China in a quest for vengeance against Lan Di - the man that murdered his father, as well as meeting Ling Shenhua and discovering that the two have a destiny to fulfil.
Via Shenmue FansYouTube pageas well as Shenmue Dojoin Facebook, here is the new "Gameplay Trailer" showing much of the action and cutscenes that'll feature in the new game that was successfully kickstarted and made.
Shenmue 3 Gameplay Trailer | MAGIC 2019
Shenmue III will be released for Playstation 4 and PC on August 27 this year.
Looks like Shenmue fans who are anxiously waiting for Yu Suzuki's long awaited follow-up "Shenmue III" will finally have something to tide them over for the meantime, as Sega and Suzuki have announced that "Shenmue I & II HD" is finally coming to Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC this August!
Courtesy of Gamespot Trailers, here's a look at the upcoming collection of the classic Sega Dreamcast and Xbox games, which will give newcomers a chance to experience the first two titles that chronicle Ryu Hazuki's adventure to avenge his father's death at the hands of Lan Di!
Shenmue 1 And 2 Pre-Order Trailer
Shenmue I & II will hit PS4, Xbox One, and PC on August 21!
One of the most requested video game sagas to be remastered and brought back has finally been confirmed, as Sega has confirmed that both Shenmue and Shenmue II are coming to Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC Steam sometime this year!
According to Polygon and Shenmue Dojo'sreports, the game will be released both digitally and physically - retaining the Dreamcast aesthetics but having improved graphics and textures as of the remaster. Additionally, players can also choose between English and Japanese voices - and the game will retail for $29.99 when released.
A game truly ahead of its time and developed by legendary video game creator Yu Suzuki - the first Shenmue was originally released for the Sega Dreamcast, and its sequel was also for that system - yet only in European and Japanese territories (with English Subtitles over the Japanese dub for the former). The original Microsoft Xbox got the sequel with the American voices. With Shenmue III already in the works after a succesful kickstarting campaign - the time is right for this legendary masterpiece to make it's much deserved return in a remastered rerelease!
Shenmue I & II - Announcement Trailer
Shenmue I & 2 hits PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime this year!
After a long time since the last update and news on how development was proceeding for one of the most awaited video game sequels of all time, legendary video game developer Yu Suzuki and Playstation presented to the world the very first teaser trailer to "Shenmue III" - the kickstarter crowdfunded sequel to the 1999 Sega Dreamcast classic "Shenmue" and its 2001 follow up "Shenmue II".
The new teaser was released in time for "Gamescom 2017" week this month. While evidently the graphics are still work in progress, this gives fans a taste of how things are coming along as well as a look at protagonist Ryo Hazuki, his new companion Shenhua, and a couple of new characters in the game.
Shenmue III – The 1st Teaser | PS4
Shenmue 3 is expected to be released sometime in latter part 2018 for the PS4 and PC.
A saga that has been dormant for more than a decade... will FINALLY CONTINUE thanks to the fans and the support they gave to Mr. Yu Suzuki after his big announcement at E3 2015!
Shenmue, the Sega Dreamcast game that saw exploration, martial arts action, and a story that was epic as it was a journey of revenge and discovery, is getting the sequel it properly deserves!
The most EPIC reaction comes from Michael Huber from Gametrailers during the E3 2015 Sony Press Conference... SEE IT.
Apparently so, as creator Yu Suzuki stated in his panel during this year's Game Developers Conference. This is THE biggest hope I have, especially being a longtime fan of the series and having finished both installments in the Sega Dreamcast. C'mon Sega... Give Suzuki his chance and let him (and us) finish the Shenmue series! More info on the matter via Joystiq!
SEGA and Yu Suzuki's epic masterpiece gaming series Shenmue was truly one of the gaming highlight's of my life, and it's a shame that another sequel hasn't been made to complete the story since Shenmue II. Gamers around the world have been campaigning and petitioning endlessly to get their wish to play Shenmue III, but that realization has yet to come, and the focus now for SEGA in relation to the series is the Japan only mobile online game called Shenmue City. Still, fans keep their hopes up and remain nostalgic with the series by replaying it and discovering some of the numerous things protagonist Ryo Hazuki could do in his spare time while searching for his father's killer Lan Di. Here's one that was just posted in Kotaku, and it left me bewildered: There's Duck Racing in Shenmue II?!
There you have it. I've played Lucky Hit, fed a kitten, and beaten bad guys up with martial arts, but I wouldn't have thought Duck Racing would be in Ryo's schedule, lol! Ah Shenmue, how I miss thee!
We thought we'd never see him again, but now he's back... sort of. First reported in Sega America's official blog, Ryo Hazuki, star of the epic Shenmue series, will be returning to the gaming realm by appearing as a playable character in the upcoming Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing game. Last seen in 2001's Shenmue II for the Dreamcast and Xbox, Ryo hasn't appeared in any other game since, and many fans were left hanging since Shenmue III never came to light (we're still hopeful that will happen though). As the latest addition to the SEGA All-Star line-up, Ryo comes bursting into the tracks with his trusty "borrowed motorcycle", which he used to rescue his love interest Nozomi in the first game.
As a special bonus attack, he can swap vehicles with his forklift from Yokosuka Harbor! Just like old times... but how does he fare against his other peers from the SEGA-verse? Check out the clip below provided by the folks behind the game:
Ryo Hazuki crashes into Sonic & SEGA All-Star Racing!
Hell yeah, it's great to see Ryo back in action somewhat, but Yu Suzuki and Sega... what's taking so long?! Make us a Shenmue III already and bring back the epicness!
It's September 9, 2009... a memorable date that's a cause for celebration for many. Its unique numbering sequence and configuration have been the subject of many special coverages, one of them coming from Yahoo itself, but the date also holds a lot of significance for gamers, especially those who keep track of monumental releases in gaming history. For owners of the original Sony Playstation, this day marks the official release of Square's (presently Square Enix) Final Fantasy VIII, a game that celebrates a decade of existence today. My friend Billy shares his memories of the game in his official blog. I, however, will be talking about something a little more personal. It's a piece of hardware that has stood the test of time, and remains as a symbol that dreams can come true... especially in videogames.
Exactly ten years ago to this very day, Sega unleashed their sixth generation console, the Dreamcast, to the American gaming public. The graphics and 128 bits of power it boasted were just the tip of the iceberg, as the shiny white piece of hardware had success and potential written all over it. During its time in the console market, the Dreamcast has birthed several memorable titles, many of which remain cult classics to this very day. Many arcade games back in that era also saw nearly flawless translations to the machine, effectively giving the console dominant status over the console market a few years prior to the launch of Sony’s Playstation 2 or Microsoft’s Xbox. Indeed, the Dreamcast has made its mark in history, and it would truly be an understatement to call it a failure, for it has done quite the opposite during its short-but-sweet lifetime. With its huge controllers, Visual Memory Units, and several other unique features, what’s not to love about this console? Rather than dictating its entire history (which can be looked up in the web), I’m going to take this time to reflect on my experience with Sega’s final videogame console, and the joys it bestowed upon me and everyone else in my life all those years ago.
Dreamcast Boot Up Screen. It felt somewhat magical back then...
Truth be told, I wasn’t really planning to buy a Dreamcast at first. I was clinging on to my beliefs that I would remain with the Playstation brand for all time to come. For as long as games continued to be released for the PS1 and a successor came to take its place, I wouldn’t be shifting brands anytime soon. However, the urge to play new and upcoming titles became stronger than I thought. Things took a turn for the worse when almost every Capcom fighting game I loved subsequently saw release for the Dreamcast, and when the publisher announced it was going to bring its next entry to the Resident Evil/ Bio Hazard series to that console, I finally relented and decided to buy the machine to satiate my videogame cravings. Around the summer of 2000, I became the happy owner of the first 128-bit console to ever be released, and it was the start of a prosperous relationship I would have with Sega’s ultimate platform that would last for several years to come.
The first and finest iteration of Marvel vs Capcom 2 for the sixth generation of gaming consoles... 'Nuff said.XD
The first games I bought alongside the Dreamcast were both Capcom games, yet each was from a different genre and held on its own ground to consider them must buy titles back then. The two, namely Marvel vs Capcom 2 and Resident Evil Code: Veronica, were much anticipated titles, and as I stated earlier, these two games were the sole reason why I gave into my “Dreamcast desire”. Suffice to say, both proved to be worth the price of admission, as I embarked on several weeks of epic game time one after the other. MvC2 was a monster upon its initial release in arcades, but when the DC port arrived in stores, it became a legendary beast of a game nobody could take their hands off of. To this very day, many consider the Dreamcast version of Marvel vs Capcom 2 THE definite version to own, and this claim was only contested recently with the rerelease of the game for Xbox Live and Playstation Network… with all characters unlocked and everything represented in full High Definition glory. Still, anyone with a nostalgic eye for things would know that the MvC2 engine was built around the NAOMI hardware, which uses the same hardware components as the Dreamcast.
Japanese Commercial of Resident Evil/ Bio Hazard Code: Veronica. Sweet.XD
The other game that virtually ate up my time with the console was RE Code: Veronica. As a direct sequel to Resident Evil 2, it features Claire Redfield returning as the main character, together with her brother, Chris Redfield – the main protagonist from the first game. Bundled in a two disc GD-ROM package (Giga Disk-Read Only Memory – the disc medium the Dreamcast utilizes), Code Veronica was the first non- Playstation Resident Evil game, and was the first entry in the series to see several changes in gameplay and various graphical improvements. Despite retaining it’s B-movie inspired plot elements, the game was very successful, and I enjoyed every moment playing the game and living the adventure. I must admit, I wasn’t truly impressed with the inclusion of the whiny secondary character Steve Burnside, but I was more than thrilled to see Chris back in action, as well as the return of the diabolical Albert Wesker, who didn’t turn out to be dead after the events of RE1 after all. Anyway, that being said, Code Veronica proved successful enough to get a new “Director’s Cut” release in the form of Code: Veronica X, which was Japan exclusive for Dreamcast owners, but was eventually ported to the Nintendo Gamecube and Playstation 2 when they were released a couple of years later.
My fighting game setup. This was the reason why I adored the Dreamcast so much... It was literary "The Fighting Game Console" to have back then.XD
Down the line, the Dreamcast proved to be a great investment on my part as a fighting game fanatic. I affectionately call it the “Fighting Game Console” because to me, at least, that’s what it’s best known for. Aside from releasing the first two Marvel vs Capcom games, several near perfect translations of classic arcade fighters saw the light of day with the machine, such as Soul Calibur, the Power Stone series, Street Fighter III series, Dead Or Alive 2, Tech Romancer, Project Justice, Guilty Gear XX, The King Of Fighters series, and even Garou: Mark Of The Wolves. Later on, two rival gaming companies would collide and release the Capcom vs SNK series of fighting games, which would prove, yet again, why the Dreamcast is a fighting game maniac’s dream machine come true. Despite its bulky, 2-trigger, 4-button, single analog stick and D-pad controller, nobody complained about the results and enjoyed kicking ass anyway. If anyone had a problem, they could always buy a modified controller or arcade stick to even the odds fairly.
Trailer to Sonic Adventure 2. Fun times with the Blue speedster mascot of Sega back then...
As far as the other games go, adventure games were fairly short in numbers during the Dreamcast’s lifetime. Sonic still led the charge with his Sonic Adventure games, and several other titles like Headhunter tried to keep me preoccupied for a while. In the end, however, none of these games would satiate my appetite for a good long journey…until legendary game developer Yu Suzuki came into the picture and introduced his masterpiece. Working on an action game project dating back to the days of the Sega Saturn, Suzuki’s work was one of epic proportions, and when it finally saw release in the Dreamcast, it changed the adventure game experience forever. That game was none other than Shenmue.
The Dreamcast Magazine Shenmue Trailer... Nostalgia's kicking in again!
Above anything else back then, Shenmue was THE definite reason why a person should own or experience playing a Dreamcast. It was an ambitious and larger-than-life game that borrowed many elements from different genres, seeking to immerse players in an almost real life gaming experience. Set in 1986 Japan, the game chronicles the story of Ryo Hazuki, a teenaged martial artist who returns home to witnesses the brutal death of his father Iwao at the hands of a mysterious Chinese man named Lan Di. Seeking revenge for his father’s murder, Players take control of Ryo as he embarks on a quest that takes him around the streets of his neighborhood Dobuita and all the way to the harbor located in Yokosuka.
Shenmue was most certainly "The Dreamcast Experience" incarnate... and it's amazing I'm playing it again after so many years!
Shenmue, for its time, was a complete experience althogether. Combining several gameplay methods, the player could interact and pursue the narrative through exploration and conversation with various individuals throughout the game. Introduced in the game were QTE or Quick Time Event sequences that required button presses at the precise moment they flashed on the screen. This, combined with several battles the player engaged in as Ryo using his martial arts skills, made up the action sequences of the game. The player could also shop, buy items, or even play in the local arcade as Ryo, making Shenmue a true and worthwhile feat in gaming history.
Trailer for Shenmue II, which never saw a US Dreamcast release, but it did manage a European release with English Subtitles over the Japanese dub. Even better.
As the years went by, Sega started to feel the pressure and faced stiff competition, as the Sony Playstation 2 finally made its long awaited debut in fall 2000. This marked the beginning of the end for the Dreamcast, as it saw less support from third party developers who opted to move operations to the newer consoles. Production went down, and games that were once “exclusive” to the console were no longer such a thing, with titles like Shenmue II seeing a release for Microsoft’s Xbox instead. Fortunately for some, that game still saw release for English audiences, albeit in Europe only with English Subtitles placed over the Japanese Audio. Indeed, the inevitable was going to happen, and while many saw this as the perfect time to jump ship and grab a PS2, I still held on to my Dreamcast, clinging to it like a kid would with his stuffed teddy bear by his side. I just couldn’t let this thing go, even in the face of change and defeat.
In the end, Sega decided to cease and desist production of the Dreamcast on January 31, 2001. About 60 titles still saw a North American release until early 2002, but after that, there was no more official support given to the console. Sega made no attempts in creating a new successor either, as they eventually became a third party developer themselves, releasing their games for the PS2, Xbox, and Nintendo Gamecube. Yes, what was once unthinkable finally happened eventually; Mario and Sonic together on the same platform and the same game.
US Commercial of the Sega Dreamcast. Back then, it was full of characters and potential, alright...
While the Dreamcast may be long gone and buried now, it certainly hasn’t been forgotten… not by a long shot. It was way ahead of its time, and it demonstrated several feats that garnered attention and praise, especially to those who were there to witness its potential. Despite its short yet sweet lifespan, it has crafted a legacy that has endured for as long as anyone can remember, giving players and developers a taste of what the future might bring. Being the first console to incorporate Internet play via a modem attachment, it also laid the grounds for the online battles and skirmishes we enjoy in several games today. It’s true that many like myself will miss the glory days of Sega’s white and grey system, but it has carved itself a permanent place in gaming history no one should ever forget.
Happy 10th Birthday, Sega Dreamcast. Let your story continue to inspire others to dream.^^
Yes, sadly it is true. Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki spilled the beans as to how Shenmue III would have ended to Mega 64, and even gaming blogsite Kotaku posted the video.
Apparently so, as creator Yu Suzuki stated in his panel during this year's Game Developers Conference. This is THE biggest hope I have, especially being a longtime fan of the series and having finished both installments in the Sega Dreamcast. C'mon Sega... Give Suzuki his chance and let him (and us) finish the Shenmue series! More info on the matter via Joystiq!
SEGA and Yu Suzuki's epic masterpiece gaming series Shenmue was truly one of the gaming highlight's of my life, and it's a shame that another sequel hasn't been made to complete the story since Shenmue II. Gamers around the world have been campaigning and petitioning endlessly to get their wish to play Shenmue III, but that realization has yet to come, and the focus now for SEGA in relation to the series is the Japan only mobile online game called Shenmue City. Still, fans keep their hopes up and remain nostalgic with the series by replaying it and discovering some of the numerous things protagonist Ryo Hazuki could do in his spare time while searching for his father's killer Lan Di. Here's one that was just posted in Kotaku, and it left me bewildered: There's Duck Racing in Shenmue II?!
First reported in Sega America's official blog, Ryo Hazuki, star of the epic Shenmue series, will be returning to the gaming realm by appearing as a playable character in the upcoming Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing game. Last seen in 2001's Shenmue II for the Dreamcast and Xbox, Ryo hasn't appeared in any other game since, and many fans were left hanging since Shenmue III never came to light (we're still hopeful that will happen though). As the latest addition to the SEGA All-Star line-up, Ryo comes bursting into the tracks with his trusty "borrowed motorcycle", which he used to rescue his love interest Nozomi in the first game.
As a special bonus attack, he can swap vehicles with his forklift from Yokosuka Harbor! Just like old times... but how does he fare against his other peers from the SEGA-verse? Check out the clip below provided by the folks behind the game:
Shenmue was most certainly "The Dreamcast Experience" incarnate... and it's amazing I'm playing it again after so many years!
Happy 10th Birthday, Sega Dreamcast. Let your story continue to inspire others to dream.^^