It appears the next few years will be big for video game-related TV shows, with long-running franchise Sonic the Hedgehog getting its own Netflix show and a Cuphead TV show currently in development. Not to be outdone, Bandai Namco's upcoming RPG Scarlet Nexus is getting its own anime, courtesy of Funimation.
Scarlet Nexus is a futuristic role-playing game that will be released on June 25, 2021 in which humans have gained extra-sensory powers and use special abilities to battle mutants that have come from the sky. With its multiple storylines and tech-heavy city setting, Scarlet Nexus seems like the perfect candidate for an anime adaptation.
Funimation has worked on some of the most beloved anime series out there, including Dragon Ball Z, Attack on Titan, and Cowboy Bebop. The company announced via its official Twitter page that it will be releasing the Sunrise Inc. Scarlet Nexus anime on its streaming platform this summer.
In terms of release date, the announcement doesn't get any more specific, but the post hints at a few of the show's story details. It says, "Psychokinetics Yuito and Kasane are ready to defend the world from the Others," which suggests the heroes of the anime will probably be able to move objects with their minds. Further, both Yuito and Kasane have been revealed to be part of the game in Scarlet Nexus' trailer from The Game Awards 2020, so it is known that the main characters of the anime are also the main characters of the game.
The second sentence of the post, "But Kasane's mysterious dreams are about to drag the pair into an unavoidable fate," reveals still more about the story, suggesting themes of heroic destiny. From the cyber mysteries of Digimon to the epic battles in Dragon Ball, the story of many anime series revolve around a person or group who are chosen or destined to save the world, and it appears the Scarlet Nexus series will follow in these tried and true footsteps.
Of course, this isn't necessarily a bad thing; when done well, the formula works. Most fans agree that Attack on Titan employs the hero with a destiny model to great effect, and it can be argued that movies like the original Star Wars use the framework as well. As for Scarlet Nexus and its "brainpunk" world, fans will simply have to wait and see what Sunrise Inc. and Funimation do, but the series seems to be in good hands.
Scarlet Nexus will release on June 25, 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. An anime adaptation is planned for summer 2021.