The highly anticipated steampunk anime series Leviathan, from the creators behind BEASTARS and Star Wars: Visions, is slated for a global premiere on Netflix this July. This adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s acclaimed novels plunges viewers into an alternate 1914, a world where colossal bioengineered beasts clash with formidable mechanical war machines. The narrative centers on a fugitive prince and a girl in disguise, whose intertwined journey aboard a living airship could dramatically alter the course of history.
Scott Westerfeld, the author of the original novels, shared his excitement, stating it has been wonderful to work closely with Studio Orange and Qubic on the adaptation. He mentioned that both he and series illustrator Keith Thompson have enjoyed seeing another layer added to their already unique creation, highlighting the dynamism brought to walking tanks and flying whales through state-of-the-art anime.
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What is Netflix’s Leviathan?
Set in a war-torn reimagining of 1914, Leviathan follows Alek, a fugitive prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Deryn Sharp, a daring young girl disguised as a boy serving in the British Air Service. When fate brings them together aboard the HMS Leviathan, a massive living airship constructed from genetically engineered creatures, they embark on a world-changing adventure.
Their journey will challenge everything they understand about war, loyalty, and identity. The series blends sweeping action, high-altitude battles, and emotional storytelling, exploring how two unlikely teenagers could potentially rewrite history in a world on the brink of collapse. The series is based on the Leviathan novels, written by Scott Westerfeld and illustrated by Keith Thompson.
Cast
The Japanese voice cast has been released, with the dub cast releasing later. The series features an all-star Japanese voice cast. The cinematic original score, composed by Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 and Metal Gear Solid 4 fame, is further enhanced by additional original songs from legendary composer Joe Hisaishi, known for his work on Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. This collaboration marks Leviathan as a rare showcase of elite musical talent from anime and video game worlds.
- Ayumu Murase as Prince Aleksandar “Alek”
- Natsumi Fujiwara as Sharp (Deryn Sharp / Dylan Sharp)
- Shunsuke Sakuya as Count Volger
- Yasuhiro Mamiya as Klopp
- Mie Sonozaki as Dr. Nora Barlow
- Ivan Shibata as Newkirk
- Fairouz Ai as Lilit
- Hiroki Touchi as Nikola Tesla
- Ikuko Tani as Nene
- Genta Nakamura as Hoffman
- Daichi Hayashi as Rigby
- Satoshi Niwa as Matthews
- Naoto Kobayashi as Thomas
- Yukitaro Namura as Hirst
- Ryosuke Higa as Leviathan’s Captain
- Michio Hazama as George Darwin
- Takahiro Fujiwara as Pavel
- Naomi Kusumi as Zaven
- Tessyo Genda as Sultan
Production Information
Leviathan is a collaborative effort between Qubic Pictures, known for Eden and Star Wars: Visions Seasons 1 & 3, and Studio Orange, celebrated for BEASTARS and Trigun Stampede. The series aims to merge Western storytelling with Japanese animation to craft a sweeping global war epic.
- Director: Christophe Ferreira
- Story by: Yuichiro Kido
- CG Chief Director: Eiji Inomoto
- Music by: Nobuko Toda & Kazuma Jinnouchi
- Original Songs by: Joe Hisaishi
- Art Director: Tadashi Nakajima
- Character Designer: Ayumi Kurashima
- Mechanic Designers: Takehiko Hoashi, Shinobu Tsuneki
- Color Coordinator: Sayo Motegi
- Creature Designer: Lē Yamamura
- CG Directors: Takayuki Miyakoda, Maiko Iketani, Syunsuke Aoki, Tadao Morohashi
- Modeling Supervisor: Jun Nagakawa
- CG Facial Director: Kaori Kunishima
- VFX Art Directors: Hirotsugu Hayakawa, Kensuke Yamamoto
- Special Effects: Takeshi Ogawa
- Editor: Rie Matsubara (EDIT ROOM SEYAMA)
- Compositing Director: Noriyuki Ueda (T2 Studio)
- Voice Director: Yoshimi Ude
- Animation Producers: Takuya Ogawa, Daigo Ikeda
- Producers: Katrina Minett, Yoshihiro Watanabe
- Co-Executive Producer: Scott Westerfeld
- Executive Producers: Justin Leach, Taiki Sakurai
Theme Songs
- Opening Theme: Paths Combine by Joe Hisaishi
- Ending Theme: The Sky Ahead by Joe Hisaishi feat. Diana Garnet
Leviathan begins streaming on July 10, exclusively on Netflix.
