Crunchyroll Developing Afro-Futurist Fantasy With Sabrina and Idris Elba

 

Just after reaching the milestone of four million subscribers, anime streaming site Crunchyroll has announced what may be its highest profile original commission yet. The site is in the process of being sold to Sony's Funimation but apparently, that's not going to stop them forging ahead.

The reason this latest announcement is such a big deal is because of the talent behind it. Sabrina and Idris Elba have signed on to develop a new series for Crunchyroll as executive producers, the first project that the married couple have collaborated on together. 

Going by the working title of Dantai, the series is described as an Afro-futuristic sci-fi set in a city where the rise of biotechnology has lead to a rise in inequality between the "haves" and "have nots". The lead characters will be two up-and-comers, each from either side of the divide, who are pitted against each other.

Crunchyroll will partner with Idris's Green Door Pictures and Sabrina's Pink Towel Pictures on the series. It's not been announced yet who will be handling animation production, but Crunchyroll has partnered with both Japanese and western studios on previously announced Originals.

Joanne Waage, Crunchyroll's GM said that Dantai "is another example of how we’re working with best-in-class partners to bring in new audiences and tell fresh and compelling stories through a medium that transcends genres and generations."

There has been some speculation about the future of Crunchyroll's Originals program after they join the Sony family, but this would seem to suggest that they aren't planning on stopping any time soon. And if this is any indicator of the level of talent they can attract, then their future may be looking extremely bright.

[source]