Manga and anime producer VIZ Media, in collaboration with Hero’s Inc., announced from San Diego Comic-Con that the highly acclaimed manga series Rooster Fighter is now in production as an anime adaptation. Created by Shu Sakuratani, the action-comedy adventure centers on a heroic barnyard bird with super strength and an indominable fighting spirit. Adult Swim has been announced as the anime’s broadcast partner, with streaming partners to be announced. A teaser trailer arrived with the announcement (watch it below).
Under the agreement, VIZ Media is the representative for worldwide streaming, TV and EST for Rooster Fighter, as well as home video and merchandising outside of Japan. Meanwhile, Hero’s inc. will manage EST, plus home video and merchandising within Japan.
Keiji is more than just an ordinary rooster — he’s humanity’s greatest defender! His opponents may be 10 stories tall, but nothing is bigger than his stout heart and his fearsome battle cry — Kokekokko!
“Ever since becoming a manga artist, my biggest goal was to have my work adapted into an anime. So, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see my dream come true! This is all thanks to my readers’ continued support and Hero’s and VIZ Media’s contributions. I extend my gratitude to all of you,” said Sakuratani. “I believe Rooster Fighter is very blessed. We have the best director, the best writer, the best production staff, and the best voice actors all working together to create the best anime. As the original creator, I am ecstatic! I can’t wait to see Keiji and the gang come to life on TV. I hope that everyone out there will enjoy this anime where chickens take center stage!”
The Rooster Fighter anime is being produced by Sola Entertainment with animation production by Sanzigen (BanG Dream!, upcoming Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers). The series director is Daisuke Suzuki, series composition by Hiroshi Seko, produced by Joseph Chou.
“In conversation a while ago, Sakuratani Sensei told me: ‘I grew up watching movies from Warner Bros., like Gremlins, The Goonies, Blade Runner, Mad Max, Lethal Weapon…’ To me, it feels like Rooster Fighter has inherited the spirit of these great classics,” commented Seko. “Our hero Keiji has a strong sense of justice, yet he’s also stubborn and mischievous, and he easily succumbs to ‘The Lord of the Rut.’ Still, he steadfastly follows his own path while having a certain kind of charm about him, just like the heroes of the films I mentioned. The qualities I listed may sound outdated, but nowadays, with so much division, darkness and stagnation in the air, it gives me hope knowing there are beings like Keiji who stumble through life honestly and truthfully.”
In a passionate and thorough statement, director Suzuki explained how he came on board the project and his hopes for the end result:
“Are you serious?! That was honestly my first thought when I was approached about adapting Rooster Fighter into an anime. No matter how you look at it, the main character is just a chicken … even though he has a steely look on his face. And this chicken fights monsters for the sake of the entire world. Would anyone be interested in this? I shook my head, because I’d never been interested in chickens … except to eat them.
“Can I actually direct this? With trepidation, I picked up the original manga. A few hours later, I couldn’t hold back my tears. W-what a passionate story about a rooster (man)! I can do it, I can definitely do this!! (peep)
“That’s the story about how I came to direct this anime. Fighter may be in the title, but I think you’ll still be surprised to see the intensity in all the hardcore battles. The giant demons that attack, and the powerful skills of the chickens that rise up to meet them in battle — it’s all presented beautifully in a way that only anime can communicate. Another highlight is the drama and passion of the unique personas — or should I say, the unique avian characters and other creatures that appear. Depicting emotions like our protagonist Keiji’s secret feelings, our heroine Elizabeth’s change of heart and Piyoko’s deep love, was challenging because it was our first anime with animals as the main characters. But the skills our staff has cultivated and developed to present human characters in anime are fully evident in these birds, resulting in an anime so full of feeling that at times it can make you laugh, and at other times can move you to tears.
“All the cast members are fired up and recording is proceeding well. We’ve had a lot of laughs, especially in scenes that switch back and forth between human and chicken language. We have the best cast. It’s almost as if they were born to play these characters. I really want you to see and hear the end result! I’m so glad I was able to direct this! For the first time (?) in the history of anime I present to you a full-fledged battle-chicken anime, Rooster Fighter!
“I hope Keiji’s battles thrill you, I hope you’re moved by the drama these characters weave, and I hope you will cackle at all of the silly jokes. Please watch the passionate and intense drama unfold as our heroes break down the barriers of taxonomy and the natural world!”