Marvel Anime
{{short description|Japanese superhero anime series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image = MarvelLogo.svg
| caption = Marvel Comics logo used since 2012. Variations of this logo had been used for the titles of each anime series.
| ja_kanji = マーベルアニメ
| genre =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Iron Man
| director = Yūzō Satō
Kenichi Kawamura (assistant)
| producer = Tarō Morijima
Fuminori Hara
Cort Lane
| writer = Toshiki Inoue
| music = Tetsuya Takahashi
| studio = Madhouse
| licensee = {{english anime licensees|NA=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment}}
| network = Animax
| network_en = {{English anime networks|US=G4|AU=Sci Fi Channel|CA=Family Chrgd}}
| first = {{dts|2010|10|1}}
| last = {{End date|2010|12|17}}
| episodes = 12
| episode_list = List of Marvel Anime episodes#Iron Man
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Wolverine
| director = Hiroshi Aoyama
Hajime Ootani (assistant)
| producer = Tarō Morijima
Fuminori Hara
Cort Lane
| writer = Kengo Kaji
| music = Tetsuya Takahashi
| studio = Madhouse
| licensee = {{english anime licensees|NA=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment}}
| network = Animax
| network_en = {{English anime networks|US=G4|AU=Sci Fi Channel|CA=Family Chrgd}}
| first = {{dts|2011|1|7}}
| last = {{End date|2011|3|25}}
| episodes = 12
| episode_list = List of Marvel Anime episodes#Wolverine
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = X-Men
| director = Fuminori Kizaki
| producer =
| writer = Mitsutaka Hirota
Warren Ellis
| music = Tetsuya Takahashi
| studio = Madhouse
| licensee = {{english anime licensees|NA=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment}}
| network = Animax
| network_en = {{English anime networks|US=G4|AU=Sci Fi Channel}}
| first = {{dts|2011|4|1}}
| last = {{End date|2011|6|24}}
| episodes = 12
| episode_list = List of Marvel Anime episodes#X-Men
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Blade
| director = Mitsuyuki Masuhara
Chie Yamashiro (assistant)
| producer = Tarō Morijima
Fuminori Hara
Cort Lane
| writer = Kenta Fukasaku
| music = Tetsuya Takahashi
| studio = Madhouse
| licensee = {{english anime licensees|NA=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment}}
| network = Animax
| network_en = {{English anime networks|US=G4|AU=Sci Fi Channel}}
| first = {{dts|2011|7|1}}
| last = {{End date|2011|9|16}}
| episodes = 12
| episode_list = List of Marvel Anime episodes#Blade
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Anime films
| content =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Other series
| content =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Nihongo|Marvel Anime|マーベルアニメ|Māberuanime|lead=yes}} is a 2010 Japanese superhero anime television series by Madhouse and is based on the Marvel Comics universe. It is an anthology collection consisting of four twelve-episode animated series and two direct-to-video films. The entire series notably depicts Iron Man, Wolverine, Blade, and the members of the X-Men going to Japan.
Premise
{{see also|List of Marvel Anime episodes{{!}}List of Marvel Anime episodes}}
The project reimagined select top Marvel characters and adapts them for a Japanese audience via four 12-part series; Iron Man, Wolverine, X-Men, and Blade, which aired in Japan on Animax between October 2010 and September 2011, and then in the United States on G4 between July 2011 and April 2012.{{Cite news | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-25/iron-man-wolverine-in-marvel-madhouse-1st-tv-anime | title=Iron Man, Wolverine in Marvel, Madhouse's 1st TV Anime (Updated) | work=Anime News Network | date=August 25, 2008 | access-date=December 29, 2008}} Each of the series largely features Japan as the setting for the storyline.
Wolverine appears in all four of the anime, being a guest star in Iron Man and Blade, with each appearance taking place either before or after his anime.
Production
The entire series was produced in collaboration between Marvel Entertainment, anime studio Madhouse, and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan. The announcement was confirmed at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. According to former Madhouse President and CEO Jungo Maruta, Marvel gave the anime studio free rein to re-imagine the Marvel superheroes for Japanese audiences.{{cite web | date=July 6, 2010 | publisher=C21 Media | access-date=July 6, 2010 | url=http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=79&article=56347 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212162216/http://c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=79&article=56347 | archive-date=December 12, 2010 | title=Marvel to behold}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-23/marvel-anime-to-run-on-g4-in-the-united-states |title=Marvel Anime to Run on G4 in the United States |work=Anime News Network |date=July 23, 2010 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425070621/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-23/marvel-anime-to-run-on-g4-in-the-united-states |archive-date=April 25, 2013 }} The series was guided by writer Warren Ellis.{{cite web | date=July 26, 2010 | publisher=Superhero Hype! | access-date=July 26, 2010 | url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/104731-sdcc-g4-announces-new-marvel-anime-series| title=SDCC: G4 Announces New Marvel Anime Series}} "It will create an entire parallel universe for Marvel," said Simon Philips, president of Marvel International about Marvel Anime.{{cite news|last=Gustines|first=George|title=Superheroes to Be Recast for Japan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/25/business/media/25marvel.html?_r=2&oref=slogin|access-date=April 1, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2008}}
''Iron Man''
File:IronManAnime.jpg{{Anchor|Iron Man (2010 TV series)}}
{{see also|List of Marvel Anime episodes#Iron Man|l1=List of Marvel Anime episodes § Iron Man}}
{{nihongo|Iron Man|アイアンマン|Aian Man}} (DVD title: Iron Man: Animated Series; spelled IRONMAN on-screen) is the first show of the series with 12{{Cite web |url=http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/31057 |title=Iron Man Anime comes to G4 |access-date=August 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825073659/http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/31057 |archive-date=August 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }} episodes. The series was directed by Yuzo Sato, with Warren Ellis writing the story and Jamie Simone serving as voice director, casting director, and reversion producer for the English version. A special preview ran on Animax on September 25, 2010, before the series began airing on October 1, 2010,[http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2010/07/26/marvel-anime-coming-to-g4-in-2011/ Marvel Anime Coming To G4 In 2011] and ended on December 17, 2010. While Iron Man premiered in the US on G4 on July 29, 2011,{{cite web|title=Anime Iron Man and Wolverine Premiere July 29|date=June 23, 2011 |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/167661-anime-iron-man-and-wolverine-premiering-july-29|publisher=SuperheroHype.com|access-date=June 23, 2011}} a "sneak peek" of the first episode aired on July 23, 2011, following G4's Comic-Con 2011 Live coverage.{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/schedule/index.html?datetime=07/23/2011%2013:30%20PM |title=G4 TV Schedule; Sat, July 23, 2011 |publisher=G4 Media |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017171949/http://www.g4tv.com/schedule/index.html?datetime=07/23/2011%2013:30%20PM |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The entire series was released on DVD in the United States on April 24, 2012. It was also released on Blu-ray in Japan on June 22, 2011.{{Cite web|title=アイアンマン {{!}} ソニー・ピクチャーズ公式|url=https://www.sonypictures.jp/he/933765|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.sonypictures.jp}} A follow-up direct-to-video film called Iron Man: Rise of Technovore was released on April 16, 2013.{{cite web|title=Iron Man: Rise of Technovore Coming to Blu-ray 4/16 More on Marvel.com|url=http://marvel.com/news/story/20068/iron_man_rise_of_technovore_coming_to_blu-ray_416|publisher=MARVEL|access-date=March 18, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-08/madhouse-marvel-team-up-again-for-new-iron-man/rise-of-technovore-film |title=Madhouse, Marvel Team Up Again for New Iron Man: Rise of Technovore Film |publisher=Anime News Network |date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=October 9, 2012}}
=Plot=
Tony Stark goes to Japan to produce a new arc reactor power station and showcase the Iron Man Dio, a new prototype armor, that will replace him when he retires. However, the Iron Man Dio goes berserk and it is up to Tony as Iron Man to stop it along with an organization called the Zodiac. Iron Man even gains an ally in JSDF operative Captain Nagato Sakurai piloting the Ramon Zero armor that his military group made for him. Iron Man soon discovers that his old friend Ho Yinsen (who Tony thought was dead upon his first time as Iron Man) is alive and is operating the Iron Man Dio armor for the Zodiac's goals.
=Cast=
''Wolverine''
File:Cast of Wolverine (Marvel Anime).jpg{{Anchor|Wolverine (TV series)}}
{{see also|List of Marvel Anime episodes#Wolverine|l1=List of Marvel Anime episodes § Wolverine}}
{{nihongo|Wolverine|ウルヴァリン|Uruvarin}} (DVD title: Wolverine: Animated Series) is the second show of the series with 12 episodes. It aired on Animax between January 7, 2011 and March 25, 2011. While Wolverine premiered in the US on G4 on July 29, 2011, a "sneak peek" of the first episode aired on July 23, 2011, following the Iron Man "sneak peek" and G4's Comic-Con 2011 Live coverage. Jamie Simone served as voice director, casting director, and reversion producer for the English version. The entire series was released on DVD in the United States on July 31, 2012. It was also released on Blu-ray in Japan on June 22, 2011.{{Cite web|title=ウルヴァリン {{!}} ソニー・ピクチャーズ公式|url=https://www.sonypictures.jp/he/937456|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.sonypictures.jp}}
=Plot=
Logan learns that his true love, beloved sweetheart and girlfriend Mariko Yashida, who disappeared one year ago, has been taken to Tokyo by her father Shingen Yashida, the head of the Japanese crime syndicate Kuzuryu and a supplier of A.I.M., in order to be wed to Hideki Kurohagi, a bloodthirsty yakuza boss. Wolverine goes on a quest to rescue Mariko and defeat Shingen and Hideki, encountering several opponents along the way.
=Cast=
''X-Men''
File:X-men.jpg{{Anchor|X-Men (2011 TV series)}}
{{see also|List of Marvel Anime episodes#X-Men|l1=List of Marvel Anime episodes § X-Men}}
{{nihongo|X-Men|エックスメン|Ekkusu Men}} (DVD title: X-Men: Animated Series) is the third show of the series with 12 episodes. It aired on Animax from April 1, 2011, to June 24, 2011. A preview trailer was released on February 18, 2011, featuring mutants and some from the 20th Century Fox X-Men franchise such as Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Professor X and Beast.{{Cite news | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-18/x-men-anime-nichijou-promo-videos-streamed | title=News: X-Men Anime, Nichijou Promo Videos Streamed | work=Anime News Network | date=February 18, 2011 | access-date=February 20, 2011}} It premiered in the United States on G4 on October 21, 2011.{{Cite news | url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/09/15/x-men-anime-scott-porter/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930112340/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/09/15/x-men-anime-scott-porter | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 30, 2011 | title='X-Men' Anime Debuts In October With Scott Porter As Cyclops}} Jamie Simone served as voice director, casting director, and reversion producer for the English version. The entire series was released on DVD in the United States on April 24, 2012. It was also released on Blu-ray in Japan on December 7, 2011.{{Cite web|title=X-メン {{!}} ソニー・ピクチャーズ公式|url=https://www.sonypictures.jp/he/951532|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.sonypictures.jp}}
=Plot=
Following the death of Jean Grey (who was being controlled by the Dark Phoenix, due to the sinister influence of the Inner Circle), the X-Men are reassembled by Professor X to travel to Japan following the abduction of Armor and face the U-Men who are abducting young mutants in order to harvest their organs. During their fight with the U-Men, the X-Men discover that some of the mutants in Japan are suffering from the "Damon Hall Syndrome" which causes problems for mutants during their second mutation. The X-Men must also deal with the next plot of the Inner Circle.[http://marvel.com/news/story/15264/watch_the_x-men_anime_japanese_teaser_trailer Watch the X-Men Anime Japanese Teaser Trailer]
=Cast=
''Blade''
File:Bladeanime1.jpg{{Anchor|Blade (2011 TV series)}}
{{see also|List of Marvel Anime episodes#Blade|l1=List of Marvel Anime episodes § Blade}}
{{nihongo|Blade|ブレイド|Bureido}} (DVD title: Blade: Animated Series) is the fourth and final show of the series. Comprising twelve episodes like the others, the story is written by Kenta Fukasaku, son of the late Kinji Fukasaku. Jamie Simone served as casting director, reversion producer, and voice director for the English version where he was assisted by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. It aired on Animax from July 1, 2011, to September 16, 2011. The entire series was released on DVD in the United States on July 31, 2012. It was also released on Blu-ray in Japan on February 22, 2012.{{Cite web|title=ブレイド {{!}} ソニー・ピクチャーズ公式|url=https://www.sonypictures.jp/he/951518|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.sonypictures.jp}}
=Plot=
Blade is a "daywalker" vampire hunter who was born with human and vampire blood in his veins after a vampire attacked his mother. Blade is visiting Japan on a mission where he not only confronts Deacon Frost (the vampire who killed his mother Tara Brooks), but also goes up against a mysterious organization of vampires known as "Existence."{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-01/blade-fairy-tail-ro-kyu-bu-promo-videos-streamed|title=Blade, Fairy Tail, Ro-Kyu-Bu! Promo Videos Streamed|date=July 17, 2023 |publisher=Anime News Network}}
=Cast=
Films
Following the 4 TV series, Madhouse animated different Marvel Anime films.
- The first was Iron Man: Rise of Technovore, a direct-to-video film directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki, which was released on April 16, 2013, in the United States.
- The second was Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher which was released on March 25, 2014, in the United States.
Other Marvel anime projects
Other anime television series based on Marvel characters have also been produced.
=''Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers''=
{{main|Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers}}
Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers is a 2014 anime series produced by Walt Disney Japan and Toei Animation. It follows five children that each gain the ability to summon a specific member of Avengers, who have been trapped in small devices called DISKs, as they travel the world to help the Avengers retrieve other superheroes' and supervillains' DISKs before they are used for evil. The series aired on TX Network and ran for 51 episodes.
=''Marvel Future Avengers''=
{{main|Marvel Future Avengers}}
Marvel Future Avengers is a 2017 anime series produced by Madhouse and Walt Disney Japan. It follows three children who are rescued from Hydra by the Avengers and trained to become superheroes. The series aired for 39 episodes on the Dlife satellite channel, and was released internationally via Disney+ in 2020.
Release
=Broadcast=
The Marvel Anime series aired in Japan on Animax between October 2010 and September 2011. An English-language version later aired in North America on G4 between July 2011 and April 2012.This marked the first time G4 had aired anime since the now-defunct anime programming block Anime Unleashed[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/07/26/g4-announces-exclusive-deal-with-sony-pictures-television-for-four-new-anime-series-based-on-marvel-characters-916425/20100726g402/ G4 Announces Exclusive Deal With Sony Pictures Television for Four New Anime Series Based on Marvel Characters] Additionally, the Marvel Anime series aired in Australia on Sci Fi.
{{cite web
|url = http://www.scifitv.com.au/Blog/2011/07/iron-man-wolverine-coming-to-sci-fi-in-august/
|title = Iron Man & Wolverine Coming To Sci Fi In August!: SCI FI PI//SCI FI Channel
|work = Captain
|access-date = August 11, 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110929183531/http://www.scifitv.com.au/Blog/2011/07/iron-man-wolverine-coming-to-sci-fi-in-august/
|archive-date = September 29, 2011
|df = mdy-all
}}
See also
{{Portal|Anime and manga|Speculative fiction}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://marvelanime.com/|name=Sony Pictures website}} {{in lang|ja}}
- Madhouse page: [http://www.madhouse.co.jp/works/2010-2009/works_tv_ironman.html Iron Man], [http://www.madhouse.co.jp/works/2011-2010/works_tv_wolverine.html Wolverine], [http://www.madhouse.co.jp/works/2011-2010/works_tv_x-men.html X-Men], [http://www.madhouse.co.jp/works/2011-2010/works_tv_blade.html Blade]
- {{Anime News Network|anime|11786|Marvel Anime: Iron Man}}
- {{Anime News Network|anime|12083|Marvel Anime: Wolverine}}
- {{Anime News Network|anime|12366|Marvel Anime: X-Men}}
- {{Anime News Network|anime|12367|Marvel Anime: Blade}}
- Marvel Anime at Internet Movie Database
- {{IMDb title|tt1707807|Marvel Anime: Iron Man}}
- {{IMDb title|tt1847521|Marvel Anime: Wolverine}}
- {{IMDb title|tt2070571|Marvel Anime: X-Men}}
- {{IMDb title|tt1988235|Marvel Anime: Blade}}
{{Yūzō Satō}}
{{Madhouse}}
{{Marvel Multiverse}}
{{Marvel Animation}}
{{Iron Man}}
{{Wolverine}}
{{X-Men in television}}
{{Blade}}
{{Animax}}
Category:2010 anime television series debuts
Category:2010 Japanese television series debuts
Category:2010 Japanese television series endings
Category:2011 Japanese television series debuts
Category:2011 Japanese television series endings
Category:Japanese television series based on American television series
Category:Superheroes in anime and manga
Category:Anime based on comics
Category:Anime based on Marvel Comics
Category:Iron Man television series
Category:Marvel Entertainment franchises
Category:Madhouse (company) franchises
Category:Animated television shows based on Marvel Comics
Category:X-Men television series
Category:Wolverine (comics) in other media
Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television