Recalling the old way with Shenmue. After three games in 20 years, Shenmue franchise is expanding with its first animation series. Here the evolution of this pioneer of the 3D fighting games.
An old game for an old buddy
Shenmue is an action-adventure videogame series, who, in 1999, pioneers the 3D open-world fighting game system. Allowing players to experiment between a good deal of: role-playing, life/social simulations and of course brawls. Shenmue’s first two titles showed the new possibility and versatility of the new technologies in the fighting genre. Eighteen years later, after the success of Shenmue and Shenmue II, creator Yu Suzuki comes back with a brand new title and an animated series!
Animating the game
If Shenmue III continues to tell the story of the protagonist Ryo Hazuki and his investigation to discover more about his father’s murder, Shenmue the animation is starting from the very start, giving the new audience the chance to follow the story from the beginning, and the old fans to recall the old story.
Fighting is the key
Of course martial arts are the center of this franchise, and the anime introduces Ryo Hazuki’s fighting style legitimately. In fact, if Ryo inherits the Hazuki fighting style from his father, it is also true that this mix of Jujitsu and Karate will evolve in something greater. There is always something to learn from everyone and in Hong Kong, Ryo will soon meet Chinese masters that will influence not only his fighting style, but also his way of thinking. Learning the Wude (the Chinese Martial Ethics), Ryo will open himself to Kung fu and Tai chi techniques, definitely improving his skills.
Is this the end?
Maybe the anime reaches to deliver what Shenmue III was aimed to, a strong connection to the first two games, modernizing the design style and giving more depth to the interactions. Maybe the anime is the perfect media for this franchise, capable to introduce the fighting sequence and the investigation parts of the story, following the original plot and adding new elements without losing its peculiarity.
So, how not recalling the old way with Shenmue? Did you watch the anime? What do you think of the games?