Netflix grows anime slate with Ooku: The Inner Chambers, Carlo Zen’s Yakitori

Carlo Zen’s sci-fi story Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune

US-based streamer Netflix is expanding its anime slate with Ooku: The Inner Chambers, the first anime adaptation of the manga by Fumi Yoshinaga, and Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune, a series adapted from a new military science fiction novel by Carlo Zen.

The projects were revealed as part of the streamer’s showcase at the AnimeJapan 2023 event over the weekend and will both premiere later this year.

Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, published by Hakusensha/Melody, was inspired by the Ōoku, the historic women’s quarters of Edo Castle, and unravels the history of the inner chambers, where gender roles are reversed.

The director for the series will be Noriyuki Abe with animation production from Japanese animation prodco Studio Deen.

Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune creator Zen made his debut with The Saga of Tanya the Evil, published by Hayakawa Bunko JA/Hayakawa Publishing. The new show’s animation is being handled by ARECT.

The story follows Akira Ihotsu who rebels against an oppressive society on a future Earth which is ruled and controlled by Shoren, the Pan-Star System Trade Federation. One day, he volunteers to join the planetary orbital infantry force Yakitori, a brutal unit whose missions average a death rate of 70%.

Yuji Yamano, director of content for Netflix, said: “Over the years, we’ve learned that fans love the breadth of our line-up. From titles like Pluto and Ooku: The Inner Chambers by top storytellers, to buzzy fan-favoirites like Onmyoji, Yakitori and so much more in store, this year there’s a show for every anime fan. We’re humbled the global interest in anime has been strong and growing, with over 100 million members watching anime every year.”