Between the likes ofCastlevania,Arcane, and upcoming projects liketheAmong Uscartoon, we really are living in a golden age of animated TV shows based on video games. And now we can add fighting gameGuilty Gear Striveto the list as developer Arc System Works has announced its own anime series titledGuilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers.
Details are incredibly slim, withthe teaser websiteonly showing new artwork of series protagonist Sol Badguy and Sin Kiske, while a mysterious new character looms over them in the background. What we do know is thatGuilty Gearcreator and character designer Daisuke Ishiwatari is involved, and the show is being made at Sanzigen, a studio that specialises in 3D animation. Sanzigen was also responsible forthis incredible looking one-year anniversary shortforGuilty Gear Strive, soDual Rulersis certainly in safe hands.Strive‘s animation remains one of its best qualities and the thought of an entire TV show with the same level of visual fidelity is very exciting.
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer to learn more. Arc System Works will have a panel at this year’s Anime Expo, and has promised to share further details aboutDual Rulerson July 4. Ideally, this will include a trailer or at least a plot synopsis. SinceGuilty Gear Strive‘s story mode is literally over four hours of non-stop cutscenes, it’s probably safe to assumeDual Rulersisn’t an adaptation and will instead tell an original story.
I’m honestly a bit surprisedGuilty Gearhas never seen an anime adaptation or even an OVA in its 26-year history. There have been spin-off manga, novels, audio dramas, and comics, so a full anime series was frankly overdue. I’m also curious ifDual Rulerswill make a good jumping on point for newcomers who are unfamiliar withGuilty Gear‘s lore or if it’ll be something that only established fans will be able to understand and enjoy.
Whatever the case,Guilty Gearfans have plenty to look forward to in the near future besides the anime.Guilty Gear Striverecently wrapped up its third season pass of DLC with the inclusion of Slayer, but a season four is already confirmed to be in the works too. So, fans should expect a few more playable characters either later this year or in 2025.
