Netflix orders anime from Viz

Seis Manos is being developed by Viz Media and Powerhouse Animation

Global streamer Netflix has commissioned an original anime series from US-based Japanese animation specialist Viz Media.

Set in Mexico in the 1970s, Seis Manos (Six Hands) focuses on three orphaned martial arts warriors who team up with federal agents from the US and Mexico to bring justice to the murderers of their beloved mentor.

Viz Media will produce and develop alongside US firm Powerhouse Animation, the creator of fellow Netflix anime show Castlevania. Brad Graeber, Powerhouse’s CEO, and writer Alvaro Rodriguez (Machete) created the series, with Dan Dominguez (Spongebob Squarepants) also writing. Willis Bulliner (Agents of Mayhem) will direct.

Seis Manos is Viz Media’s first original animated property, after more than three decades of bringing manga and anime to North America through series such as Naruto, Dragon Ball and Pokémon.

The commission comes at a time when the streaming giant has faced renewed pressure to up its European content in line with regulators’ demands.

At Series Mania in Lille last week, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings told delegates the firm was “rapidly” moving towards alignment, but admitted reaching the required 30% of European content on its offerings in the region was proving “a little tough.”