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When it comes to anime I’m excited for, the Crunchyroll Original anime Onyx Equinox is at the top of my list. The series follows a young Aztec boy named Izel who is saved from death by the gods and is chosen to act as ‘humanity’s champion,’ forced to discard his apathy toward his fellow man and prove humanity’s potential. The trailer (featured below) gives fans a first look at Izel’s epic journey, which will take him across ancient Mesoamerica to save humanity from a war between the gods. Onyx Equinox is a Crunchyroll Studios Production created by Sofia Alexander.
During the first day of the Crunchyroll Expo, the anime and lifestyle company announced the series’ main characters and voice cast, which consists of majority Latinx voice actors. This is a monumental step in Latinx representation in anime, picking up the proverbial torch from Powerhouse Animation’s Seis Manos last year while taking it a step further and telling the story of Mesoamerican mythology and history. Additionally, the company announced that not only will the series premiere Saturday, November 21 but it will also be dubbed in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German at launch.
Izel, humanity’s reluctant hero who is tasked with closing the five gates of the underworld is voiced by Olivia Brown. Yaotl, the jaguar-like emissary of Tezcatlipoca who accompanies Izel will be voiced by Alejandro Vargas-Lugo, and Zyanya, a warrior with a powerful ability, seeks to restore her destroyed city will be voiced by Carolina Ravassa. Nelli, Izel’s sister, and the greatest source of motivation will be voiced by showrunner Sofia Alexander who will also provide the voices for K’i’ik, Izel’s weapon that grows by consuming blood, and Meque, a type of axolotl with mysterious, magical power.
Twins Yun and K’in will be voiced by Patrick Pedrazza and Juan Arturo Maldonado respectively. Yun is the more individualistic twin and the emotional core of Izel’s group. While K’in is the mischievous, risk-taking twin who often takes jokes too far. Xanastaku a priestess in Izel’s party with a desire to redeem her dark past will be voiced by Kimberly Woods. Rounding out the rest of the characters are Tezcatlipoca who will be voiced by Arin Hanson, The Healer who will be voiced by Fayna Sanchez, Mictlantecuhtli who will be voiced by Castulo Guerra, and Quetzalcoatl who will be voiced by Zeus Mendoza.
Onyx Equinox is one of many Crunchyroll Original series that have launched so far this year. The show was created by executive producer and showrunner Sofia Alexander. Fans can learn even more about the series and the culture it is based in this weekend at Virtual Crunchyroll Expo through these panel discussions with the creator and staff. The panels will discuss the series, Mesoamerican history, mythology, and representation. Full panel details are listed below
Crunchyroll Originals Presents: Making of Onyx Equinox
Friday, 9/4 at 12 PM PT — Panel with Sofia Alexander (creator/showrunner), Kuni Tomita (supervising director), and Marisa Balkus (producer)
Crunchyroll Originals Presents: Mesoamerica Animated: Onyx Equinox with Sofia E. Alexander
Saturday, 9/5 at 12:45 PM PT – The panel will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles with Sofia Alexander (creator/showrunner), alongside Crunchyroll hosts Dulce Benavides and Ismael (Ryu) Orozoco
Mesoamerican Gods: Mythology in Onyx Equinox
Sunday. 9/6 at 2:45 PM PT – with Sofia Alexander (creator/showrunner) and Anthropologist Dr. Kirby Elizabeth Farah
Kate is co-founder, EIC, and CCO of BWT. She’s also a Certified Rotten Tomatoes Critic, host, and creator of our flagship podcast, But Why Tho?. She also manages all PR relationships for comics, manga, film, TV, and anime.