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Diablo Animated Series to Be Rendered in Anime Style

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A while ago, we reported that Blizzard registered a trademark that hinted at an animated Diablo series. Today, we finally got more details via Gamespot.

According to the LinkedIn profile of Nick van Dyk, co-president of Activision Blizzard Studios who also produced Skylander's Academy on Netflix, the unannounced Diablo series will be rendered in anime style and is currently in pre-production for distribution worldwide through Netflix.

Nick van Dyk's profile also mentions that he developed and sold an animated series based on Blizzard's Overwatch franchise with his creative partner, but we have no clue what that means or who bought it at this time. Do you think we'll see an Overwatch animated series as well?

Blizzard LogoBlizzard (Source)

President of the film and television division of leading game company Activision | Blizzard, charged with adapting the company's intellectual property to film and TV, including development, financing, production and distribution. After founding the business unit in 2014 and serving as its COO and CFO, I grew the business to $15 mil in revenue and with my creative partner built a diverse and world-class team of 20+ people to execute our mission. I oversee financing, distribution, strategic planning, franchise management, business affairs, operations and other functions of this emerging business unit while working closely with the creative team.

* Executive producer of Skylanders Academy, a TV adaptation of Skylanders (the leading
children’s video game franchise in the world). Solicited pitches and selected show runner,
assembled writers’ room, provided notes and creative feedback at all stages of
production from writing through animation, hired key show staff (line producer, casting
director, voice director, composer, etc.), sourced and hired animation studio and negotiated
equity interest therein, established guidelines for talent deals, assembled series cast, and sold
the show to Netflix.

* Executive producer of Diablo, a TV adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s IP, rendered in anime style. The show is currently in pre-production for distribution worldwide through Netflix.

* With my creative partner, authored development strategy for the Call of Duty cinematic and
television universe. Secured development funding, developed writer compensation deals and oversaw negotiations to secure talent.

* With my creative partner, developed and sold an animated series based Blizzard's Overwatch franchise.

* Authored strategic business plan for formation of the business, developed organization strategy, sourced and recruited talent, structured compensation and built the team to execute against the plan

* Managed the business to four straight years beating operating plan.

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I would have thought Blizz would have learned from Diablo Immoral and W3 Refunded that western audiences don't really like eastern art style as much as they would like us to.

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Actually seen and enjoyed the Castlevania animated series on Netflix recently a lot, so looking forward to this! I do think it will be hard to be as good as that one was (the animation itself was just one of the many great points about it, and not even the most important one imho) but I do hope it won't be a train wreck at least ?

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2 hours ago, thr33stack said:

ok, but why is this filed under World of Warcraft news ?

The Blizzard section is displayed globally on the site.

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3 hours ago, Grimij said:

I would have thought Blizz would have learned from Diablo Immoral and W3 Refunded that western audiences don't really like eastern art style as much as they would like us to.

I'd beg to differ. Anime is has grown in popularity exponentially over the past few years... just about everyone I know and meet at least have a favorite show. If it's good, it's good! 

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9 minutes ago, Rhondis said:

I'd beg to differ. Anime is has grown in popularity exponentially over the past few years... just about everyone I know and meet at least have a favorite show. If it's good, it's good! 

I agree with you Rhondis

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as a non-anime fan (I grew up on Ninja Scroll and Samurai Pizza Cats... that's my anime resume), I will say this:

If this show is ANYTHING like Castlevania on Netflix, it'll be AMAZING.

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2 hours ago, Rhondis said:

I'd beg to differ. Anime is has grown in popularity exponentially over the past few years... just about everyone I know and meet at least have a favorite show. If it's good, it's good! 

No doubt, as the Asian market and it's influence has done the same. Mostly my point. Globally it will do well, but domestically less so, likely mostly depending on age bracket. Personally grew up with Escaflowne/Macross/Gundam, and deeply loved those for what they were and the depth of soul in how they were created. However was well into adulthood by the time things like Americanime Avatar came out, and hated it because it lacked true artistic culture and overall felt cheap and emulated - but the kids apparently didn't mind.

I totally may be aging out, but Blizzard doubling down on anime/asian art style across the board feels akin to Disney ditching all western art styles and solely attempting Miyazaki. I can't help but think that would only end up dividing the market more than unite, and overall diluting the artistic culture it was built upon.

Oh well, though. Don't get me wrong, I'll totally give it a shot if it appears to end up decent, but am admittedly far less than interested currently.

Edited by Grimij

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1 hour ago, Grimij said:

I totally may be aging out, but Blizzard doubling down on anime/asian art style across the board feels akin to Disney ditching all western art styles and solely attempting Miyazaki. I can't help but think that would only end up dividing the market more than unite, and overall diluting the artistic culture it was built upon.

Fair argument. The art style and direction of the show will be very important in ensuring it won't become a total flop and divide the market as you stated. We will have to see when it does come into fruition! 

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There's also a case to be made for Western styles being well received, take Cuphead's very distinctive look for example! But yea the vast majority of styles used in games and general media nowadays are of Eastern inspiration.

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15 hours ago, Grimij said:

I would have thought Blizz would have learned from Diablo Immoral and W3 Refunded that western audiences don't really like eastern art style as much as they would like us to.

Back in 2012 Blizzard already made a short movie in an anime style. It got very positive feedback. So I guess that's where they want to continue.
 

 

Edited by Alkasar

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1 hour ago, Wiesuaw said:

Anime was a mistake. It's nothing, but trash.

It is just a style after all. Thebloodiest and most gruesome animated series are all Anime. This could be a match if done right as in the 2012 film.

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7 hours ago, Alkasar said:

Back in 2012 Blizzard already made a short movie in an anime style. It got very positive feedback. So I guess that's where they want to continue.
 

 

I don't remember seeing this... that was really fun to watch. Especially the appearance of Red ?

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On 2/17/2020 at 4:25 PM, Grimij said:

I would have thought Blizz would have learned from Diablo Immoral and W3 Refunded that western audiences don't really like eastern art style as much as they would like us to.

My thoughts exactly. I love Diablo art style, but I can't stand Anime.

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On 2/18/2020 at 7:46 AM, Alkasar said:

Back in 2012 Blizzard already made a short movie in an anime style. It got very positive feedback. So I guess that's where they want to continue.
 

 

I, personally, find this cartoon pretty ugly... On the other hand, I really like the Diablo IV intro video: 

 

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