Iconic video game developer Konami is launching its own anime studio, with its first release paying tribute to the classic series: Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Named Konami Animation, the studio will handle projects related to various intellectual properties owned by the company. This includes Yu-Gi-Oh!, with the studio’s launch marked by an anime celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary. This will be just one of the properties that Konami Animation will handle, with much of the company’s experience in video games being transferred to the animation industry.
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Konami Animation’s first project celebrates the history of Yu-Gi-Oh!
Titled Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Game The Chronicles, Konami Animation’s first project, is a short film celebrating the 25th anniversary of the card game Duel Monsters. In short, many different types of monsters can be seen from the cards, with the original Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl being the most prominent. Most notably, the Dark Magician’s color scheme resembles his typical appearance the most in the manga. There is also a reference to the Divine Arsenal AA-Zeus that is said to be reminiscent of Konami’s Zone of the Enders franchise.
Along with projects based on franchises the company owns, Konami Animation will also be working on other productions. It’s unclear what these prospects will entail or whether there will be a Yu-Gi-Oh! new or not? Upcoming adaptation from the studio. While Yu-Gi-Oh! The Chronicles card game was made in honor of the card game that has become synonymous with the franchise, the property is generally older, starting in 1996.
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Konami and Yu-Gi-Oh! Both have a long history
Konami has produced many Yu-Gi-Oh! video games throughout the years, with the franchise being one of the few properties for which the company still produces games. Likewise, after 4Kids Entertainment filed for bankruptcy, the distribution rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! was sold to Konami. The company also manages a trading card game, meaning it’s basically directly related to every major form of Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchising. So it makes sense that Konami Animation’s first project involves this iconic series.
Toei Animation, Gallop and Bridge are the studios behind Yu-Gi-Oh! before! anime, with the latter dealing with the current series Yu-Gi-Oh! Hurry up!!. It’s possible that Konami Animation will be in charge of all future anime of the series, and the studio’s announcement has some fans hoping for a remake of the classic anime or an expanded series based on Legend of the card game. Such a project could be the first major anime created by the former video game giant’s new animation division.
Source: X (formerly Twitter), Comic Natalie
