Norihiro Naganuma, the acclaimed director renowned for his breathtaking visuals and emotionally nuanced storytelling in The Apothecary Diaries, has announced a new original anime project titled Jurassic Shadows.
Jurassic Shadows combines dinosaurs and ninjas, two universally beloved motifs, with the unexpected modern element of “kesho” (make-up) to create a visually stunning battle anime unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
The project boasts a highly talented creative team renowned for their striking visual style, featuring character concept designs by Yoichi Amano—an accomplished manga artist with a track record in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump—alongside key staff from The Apothecary Diaries, including character designer Yukiko Nakatani and color designer Misato Aita.
The story is set in Tokyo in 2029. Dinosaurs, long believed to have been wiped out by the asteroid impact, have secretly survived by passing their DNA into humanity through interbreeding. Hidden among ordinary people, they now prey upon humans while living unnoticed within society. Standing against them is a covert order of ninjas who wield Ryugesho, a special pigment infused with ancient memories. By applying this mysterious pigment, they awaken the powers of dinosaurs within themselves and fight back against the predators threatening humanity. As the dinosaurs launch their campaign to wipe out humankind, the ninjas rise to stop them. The battle for the survival of two species begins.
In conjunction with the announcement, a project PV and concept visual have been released. Directed by Norihiro Naganuma himself, the promotional video offers a dynamic look at the world of Jurassic Shadows, showcasing hordes of dinosaurs tearing through Tokyo, ninjas utilizing dinosaur powers, and an impending asteroid. Despite this being Naganuma’s first venture into full-scale action, the PV boasts incredibly fluid, high-intensity camerawork. Additionally, the new concept visual captures the intense tension of the series, depicting a fierce standoff between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a ninja in the heart of modern Tokyo.
Additionally, a manga adaptation has been confirmed for serialization by Kodansha, allowing fans to enjoy the story across both anime and manga formats. Details regarding the publication platform and launch date will be announced later.
Source: Press Release
