Fans of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things have been eagerly anticipating the release of the fifth season, which was announced in early 2022. While there has been no official release date for Stranger Things season 5 announced yet, rumors have been swirling about what fans can expect next from the series. One of the most exciting rumors that has circulated is that a Stranger Things anime is in production.
According to the website What's On Netflix which tracks the development and release of shows on Netflix, the anime will be a spin-off of the original Stranger Things series and will take place in the same universe. The report says that the plot will follow two brothers in 1980s Tokyo who encounter the Upside Down. It is possible that the anime will delve deeper into the origins of the Upside Down. As exciting as this development will sound to many though, it's important to take it with a grain of salt. No source is mentioned in the original article and nothing has been officially announced, so fans looking forward to an anime take on Stranger Things should temper their expectations.
Past Stranger Things Spinoffs Have Fans Divided on the Anime
The news of a potential Stranger Things anime has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Some are excited to see the series expand into a new format, while others are concerned that a hypothetical anime may veer too far from the original storyline. It is also worth noting that this is not the first time that Stranger Things has been adapted into a different format. In 2017, a Stranger Things video game was released which received mixed reviews from fans and critics. There is also skepticism that a Stranger Things anime will even come out at all as many exciting spinoff series are either canceled or substantially changed mid-production. A move like this, however, would be par for the course for Netflix, as the streaming platform is no stranger to anime original adaptations based off of live action shows such as Altered Carbon: Resleeved and Army of the Dead.
Which Anime Studio Could Handle a Stranger Things Spinoff?
One thing that is certain is that any spinoff of Stranger Things would have big shoes to fill. The original series has become a cultural phenomenon, with its characters and storylines being widely recognized and referenced in popular culture. It will be up to the creators of the anime to capture the same magic and appeal that has made Stranger Things such a hit. Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers have said any spinoff will be much different than what fans expect, adding to the hypothetical anime's pressure. Given that pressure, it's interesting to consider what studio could possibly tackle it. Recently, Studio TRIGGER had great success with their recent adaptations of Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars, so they may be on the short-list for studios with a proven track record at anime adaptations. Also, worthy of note is Studio Fortiche who handled the adaptation of popular video game League of Legends into the hit series Arcane.
Overall, the news that a Stranger Things anime may be in development is sure to have fans of the series buzzing with excitement. While it remains to be seen how an anime will compare to the original series, it is clear that the creators of Stranger Things have no shortage of ideas for expanding the universe and exploring new storylines.
Source: What's On Netflix