Netflix new Asian original TV series: ‘Altered Carbon,’ ‘Pacific Rim’

“Altered Carbon”
Netflix

• Netflix announced a collection of
  Asian originals on Thursday, including “Pacific Rim” and
  “Altered Carbon” anime shows.
• Netflix has yet to break through
  in Asia, and hasn’t exceeded more than 2 million customers in
  any Asian market.
• Netflix already streams the
  Indian original “Sacred Games,” and plans to focus heavily on
  the country with this new initiative.

Netflix is a streaming giant, but
it has yet to break through in the most populated region in the
world: Asia. 

Netflix has over 130 million
subscribers, but it has not exceeded more than 2 million
customers in any Asian market, according to Bloomberg. The company hopes
to change that with a collection of new Asian original series it
announced at its first content showcase event in the region on
Thursday, called “See What’s Next: Asia.”

The 17 new originals include a
prequel to”Baahubali,” the highest-grossing franchise in Indian
history. Netflix is betting hard on India in the region, as it
can’t operate out of China without a local
partner. 
Netflix
already streams “Sacred Games,” its first Indian original series,
and will announce nine more on Friday during the second day of
the event.

“Sacred Games,” though, highlights
some hurdles for Netflix. The show has faced legal trouble
because of its allegedly unflattering depiction of India’s former
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A petition was filed in Delhi High
Court this year for Netflix to delete any references to him. A
woman also accused
Vikas Bahl, who co-founded the
production company behind for the show, of sexual harassment.
After an independent investigation, Netflix decided to move
forward with season two.

Most of the series announced on
Thursday, though, were anime (a style of animation that
originated in Japan). They include a series based on Guillermo
del Toro’s giant robot-vs.-giant monster movie, “Pacific Rim,”
and one based on the Netflix original sci-fi series that debuted
this year, “Altered Carbon.”

The eight series announced Thursday
are below, with descriptions provided by Netflix:

Anime
Originals

• Pacific Rim: Returning to the
  epic battle of Kaiju and Jaegers, this original anime series
  will expand upon the story of the first two live action films
  and follow two siblings – an idealistic teenage boy and his
  naïve younger sister – who are forced to pilot an abandoned
  Jaeger across a hostile landscape in a desperate attempt to
  find their missing parents.
  Co-showrunners: Craig
  Kyle (“Thor: Ragnarok”)
  and Greg Johnson (“X-Men:
  Evolution”). Production Company: Legendary Entertainment
  (“Kong: Skull Island”; “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu”).
• Altered Carbon: This anime
  feature, set in the same universe of the Netflix live-action
  sci-fi series (second season in production from Skydance
  Television), will explore new elements of the story mythology.
  Writer: Dai Sato (“Cowboy Bebop,” “Samurai Champloo”) and
  Tsukasa Kondo. Animation Studio: Anima.
• Cagaster of an Insect
  Cage: Set in a post-apocalyptic
  world where a mysterious disease “Cagaster” turns people into
  giant murderous insects, this manga-based series follows the
  struggle of a young couple to stay alive. Directed By Koichi
  Chigira (“Last Exile,” “Full Metal Panic!”). Animation
  Studio: Gonzo (“Hellsing,” “Afro Samurai”).
• Yasuke: In a war-torn feudal
  Japan of mechs and magic, a retired ronin must take up his
  sword when he is charged with the task of transporting a
  mysterious child who dark forces want to eliminate. Created
  & Directed by LeSean Thomas (“The Boondocks,” “Cannon
  Busters”), who is also serving as Executive Producer. Grammy
  nominee Flying Lotus will compose the music and be an Executive
  Producer on the show. Lakeith Stanfield (“Atlanta,” “Sorry
  to Bother You”) will be the voice of the protagonist “Yasuke”
  (based on the historical samurai of African origin who fought
  with Oda Nobunaga). Animation Studio: MAPPA (“Yuri On
  Ice,” “Kakegurui”).
• Trese: Set in a 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. This anime series is based on the
  Philippine graphic novel by the same name, created by Budjette
  Tan and Kajo Baldissimo. Executive Producer: Jay Oliva (“Wonder
  Woman,” “The Legend of Korra”). Produced By: Shanty
  Harmayn and Tanya Yuson at BASE Entertainment, a studio based
  in Jakarta and Singapore.

Thai Language
Originals

• The Stranded: 18 year old Kraam survives
  a devastating tsunami along with thirty-six of his fellow
  students at an elite private high school on a remote island in
  the Andaman Sea. As mysterious events start happening on the
  island, it quickly becomes clear that no one is coming to
  rescue them and Kraam must lead the students to rescue
  themselves. Director: Sophon Sakdaphisit. Production companies:
  GMM Grammy (this will be the first Netflix original series
  since the GMM Grammy multi-title deal) & H2L Media Group.
  Executive Producers: Ekachai Uekrongtham, Gary Levinsohn,
  Steven Sims, Billy Hines, Christian Durso.
• Shimmers: A drama series about five
  teenagers at an isolated school in Northern Thailand. Over a
  school break, they find themselves haunted by the ghosts of
  their pasts, only to discover they are threatened by a much
  more terrifying mystery. Directors: Wisit Sasanatieng and
  Sittisiri Mongkolsiri. 

Chinese Language
Originals

• Triad Princess: A Taiwanese
  original series. Growing up in the shadow of her Triad father,
  Angie craves an independent life of her own. Defying her
  father’s wishes, she takes on a gig as an undercover bodyguard
  for a famous actress at an agency, where she must navigate the
  unfamiliar world of glitz, glamour and even love. Key Cast:
  Eugenie Liu and Jasper Liu. Director: Neal Wu; Production
  Companies: mm2 and Goodfilms Workshop.