Publisher Netmarble and developer Netmarble Nexus have revealed the first trailer for its upcoming game based on the popular web novel series Shangri-La Frontier. While the platforms and release date are yet to be known, the trailer did show some ardent 3D actions you can expect when it launches.
According to the trailer’s description, the game will allow players to “experience the vast world of Shangri-La Frontier, transcendently recreated in-game with dynamic characters, flashy skill scenes, and action! Get excited for a world of fantasy and adventure brought to life by Sunraku the kusoge (shitty game)hunter in this kamige (amazing game)!”
Written by Katarina, Shangri-La Frontier began as a web novel series in 2017 before being adapted into a manga format by Ryosuke Fuji in 2020. The story centers on Rakurō Hizutome, a young man who is interested in one thing only: finding “shitty games” and beating the crap out of them. His gaming skills are second to none, and no game is too bad for him to enjoy. So when he’s introduced to the new VR game Shangri-La Frontier, he does what he does best—min-maxes and skips the prologue to jump straight into the action.
Alongside a video game adaptation, Shangri-La Frontier is also receiving an anime adaption, which is set to premiere on October 28. Yūma Uchida is playing the protagonist Rakurō Hizutome (a.k.a Sunraku), Azumi Waki is playing Rei Saiga (a.k.a Saiga 0), while Yōko Hikasa is playing Arthur Pencilgon (a.k.a Towa Amane).
▍Shangri-La Frontier Anime PV2
▍Shangri-La Frontier Synopsis
The story is set in the near future where the latest VR technology is used to create immersive games, while games using old-fashioned display screens are considered retro. However, there are still a large number of trash games that are rushed, full of bugs, and have outdated visuals.
Rakurō Hizutome, known by his nickname Sunraku, is a trash-game hunter who specializes in beating these games. After overcoming a massive game and experiencing burnout, he purchases the best-selling VR game, Shangri-La Frontier, which has 30 million registered players. In the game, he assumes the character of Sunraku, where his skills as a trash-game hunter come in handy as he progresses through the game. As he meets new friends and enemies, Rakurō’s journey in-game is set to change the fate of all players.
▍Shangri-La Frontier Anime Staff & Production
Original Work: Shangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kamige ni Idoman to su Written by Katarina and Illustrated by Ryosuke Fuji (Serialized by Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine)
Director: Toshiyuki Kubooka
Series Composition/Screenplay: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu
Assistant Director: Hiroki Ikeshita
Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Ayumi Kurashima
Action and Effects Director: Tomofumi Sakai
Color Design: Masato Takagi
Art: Inspired Inc.
2D Works: Azusa Tamura
Director of Photography: Hikaru Yamamoto
Editing: Tsuyoshi Sadamatsu
Sound Director: Akiko Fujita
Music: Monaca
Animation Production: C2C
▍Shangri-La Frontier Anime Cast
■ Sunraku / Rakurō Hizutome – CV: Yūma Uchida
■ Saiga 0 / Rei Saiga – CV: Azumi Waki
■ Arthur Pencilgon / Towa Amane – CV: Yōko Hikasa
■ Oicazzo / Kei Uomi – CV: Makoto Koichi
■ Emul – CV: Rina Hidaka
■ Viceash – CV: Akio Ohtsuka