Anime Expo: Netflix unveils first look at Levius and Seis Manos
David Farnor | On 08, Jul 2019
In recent months, Netflix has released Aggretsuko, Ultraman, and 7SEEDS, not to mention Neon Genesis Evangelion. But the streaming giant isn’t resting on its laurels: it returned last week to Anime Expo for the third consecutive year to preview its growing anime slate for 2019.
The panel, moderated by IGN editor Laura Prudom, featured four creators from around the world who are working on upcoming Netflix original anime series: LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters, The Boondocks), Alvaro Rodriguez (Seis Manos, Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series), Jay Oliva (Trese, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, The Flash), and Shuzo Shiota (Levius, Transformers Prime, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Lost in Oz)
New images were unveiled from Levius, created by world renowned anime producers Polygon Pictures. The series is set in year 1842 of the New Era. Five years have passed since the Fosanian Conflict, a dispute for territorial drilling rights of Agartha water, came to an end. It is an era where “hypersteam” is used to power a variety of things, and the martial art of metal boxing, where machines are fused with the human body for combat, is at the height of its prosperity.
The story follows Levius; a young man whose parents became casualties of war. He is taken in by his uncle Zack, and it is there that Levius begins to immerse himself in the world of metal boxing as if led by fate itself, and his innate ability for the martial art blossoms.
Levius rises up the ranks to Grade 3, taking down his formidable rivals one by one, as a mysterious man by the name of Dr. Clown watches over him, his lips curled up into an audacious smile. Meanwhile, memories of the war continue to haunt the depths of Levius’s mind…
Based on the Manga of the same name by Haruhisa Nakata (Shueisha “Ultra Jump” Publication), it is directed by Keisuke Ide, with music from Yugo Kanno.
New images also introduced the star-studded cast of Seis Manos from Viz Media and Powerhouse Animation. The series will star Aislinn Derbez, Mike Colter, Jonny Cruz, Angelica Vale, Vic Chao and Danny Trejo.
Set in Mexico in the 1970’s era, Seis Manos centers on three orphaned martial arts warriors who join forces with a DEA agent and a Mexican Federale to battle for justice after their beloved mentor is murdered on the streets of their tiny border town.
Seis Manos is co-created by Powerhouse Animation CEO Brad Graeber and writer Alvaro Rodriguez (Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series). Noted screenwriter Daniel Dominguez (Captain Underpants, Oishi High School Battle, Spongebob Squarepants) also joins the series, which will be directed by Willis Bulliner (Agents of Mayhem).
Aislinn Derbez (La Casa de las Flores) voices Isabela, a relentless scholar and Kung Fu warrior. Mike Colter (Luke Cage) voices Brister
Brister, a DEA agent sent on a mission to Mexico by his racist boss. Jonny Cruz (Overwatch) voices Jesus, a brutal fighter and a big ol’ silly, charming oaf, the middle child of the Manos.
Angelica Vale (Jane The Virgin) voices Garcia, the first female graduate out of her police academy, assigned to police the sleepy town of San Simon by a police force who couldn’t see past her gender to her impressive capabilities.
Vic Chao (Mortal Kombat X) voices Chiu, a wise, calm, happy old warrior, who is adopted father and mentor to the three Manos, training them not just in the deadly art of Kung Fu, but also the esoteric path to enlightenment and ultimate wisdom that is the Dao. Danny Trejo (Machete) voices El Balde, who has lived his life in relentless pursuit of proof of his superior worth, climbing over a mountain of bodies to the top of Mexico’s nascent drug empire.
Jay Oliva, creator and director of Trese, the Netflix anime based on the Filipino comic of the same name, also spoke about his project, which is currently in production.
Set in Manila where the mythical creatures of Philippine folklore live in hiding amongst humans, Alexandra Trese finds herself going head to head with a criminal underworld comprised of malevolent supernatural beings.