Ghost Of Tsushima Is Getting An Anime Adaptation, And I Can’t Wait To See How These 5 Aspects Of The Game Are Handled

2021 signifies the fifth year since the release of “Ghost of Tsushima”, the 2020 PlayStation action role-playing game that was not only a tribute to traditional samurai films, but also offered one of the most immersive video game experiences this century. Moreover, the long-awaited film adaptation by Chad Stahelski is highly anticipated, and we’re also looking forward to “Ghost of Tsushima: Legends”, a new anime series produced by Crunchyroll.

As someone who’s been a devoted fan of the game (trust me, give it a try), I’m incredibly excited to find out how the anime series based on Ghost of Tsushima and its multiplayer expansion, Legends, will unfold over the next few years. There are certainly many who share my curiosity about how specific elements of the game will be portrayed in this television adaptation. In anticipation, here are five aspects I can’t wait to witness…

It Sounds Like The Anime Series Will Focus On The ‘Legends’ Add-On, But I Hope Jin Sakai’s Story Isn’t Left Out

In January 2025, Crunchyroll and Sony jointly revealed during their CES press conference that they would collaborate on the game “Ghost of Tsushima: Legends,” with a planned release date in the year 2027. Given that an upcoming anime series borrows its name from the multiplayer expansion released following the main game in 2020, it seems plausible that this collaboration will primarily adapt the bonus mode focusing on players joining forces to battle various supernatural adversaries based on Japanese mythology. Despite this being intriguing, I can’t help but express a hope that the main story of Jin Sakai, which evokes the spirit of Akira Kurosawa’s timeless classics, will also be portrayed alongside it.

In the game titled “Ghost of Tsushima,” the protagonist Jin, stands out among video game characters from the last ten years for his compelling, emotional, and transformative journey. This is notable given the abundance of exceptional narrative-focused games during that period. I look forward to revisiting the spectacular opening battle against the Mongols, Jin’s role as the “Ghost,” his complex relationship with Lord Shimura, his uncle who disagreed with Jin’s unconventional methods of resisting the invasion.

I Hope The Series Has A Combination Of Samurai And Horror Elements Introduced In The Game

Should the “Ghost of Tsushima: Legends” series blend aspects from both the original game and multiplayer addition, I’m eagerly anticipating how those elements will play out in an anime style. With a rich background of horror-influenced anime films and series, I have a strong feeling that this upcoming adaptation won’t deviate from the trend.

In one perspective, there’s the realistic and intense narrative of the main game where a young samurai takes extreme measures, including some unconventional and violent actions, to safeguard Tsushima Island against invaders. Conversely, in the Legends expansion, you encounter various warriors joining forces to battle supernatural foes inspired by Japanese folklore and mythology.

In a more whimsical and supernatural manner, the multiplayer game was filled with terrifying elements that I believe could translate effectively into an anime television series. With director Takanobu Mizuno, known for his work on Star Wars: Visions, at the helm, achieving this balance seems like a feasible task.

I Also Can’t Wait To See How The Supernatural Worlds And Enemies Of ‘Legends’ Are Depicted

For those who’ve experienced ‘Ghost of Tsushima: Legends’, the multiplayer extension offers striking, though chilling, supernatural landscapes and adversaries that starkly differ from the authentic feel of the primary game. I’m eagerly anticipating how these realms and the foes within them will translate into anime style, as it could prove to be truly awe-inspiring.

It’s clear that portraying this in a Ghost of Tsushima movie, which has been under development for some time, would be quite difficult, but it could easily be accomplished in an anime, especially with a talented team of animators working on it. Despite my curiosity about how they might represent the game’s worlds and enemies, I am eager to find out whether they will resemble those from the game or receive unique adaptations specifically for the anime series.

I’m Eager To See How Gyozen The Storyteller Fits Into The Show

As a movie buff, I can’t help but reminisce about Gyozen the Storyteller from the captivating game Legends. This enigmatic character was one of many non-playable characters (NPCs) that breathed life into the game, making it an unforgettable experience. For those unfamiliar with this intriguing figure, he was a wandering storyteller who traversed the beautiful island of Tsushima, regaling us with tales of ancient warriors who once protected the land. Engaging with him would kick-start one of the multiplayer quests, where he acted as our narrator, leading us on thrilling adventures through time.

It’s quite likely that character Gyozen could return as the series narrator and introduce each episode (the exact number of episodes hasn’t been revealed yet), similar to shows like Disney+’s What If…?. Previously, Jeffrey Wright played The Watcher in a show that concluded at the end of 2024, and he would both initiate the stories and sometimes participate in them. It remains unclear if Gyozen will follow a similar pattern, but it’d be intriguing to delve deeper into the storyteller’s own tale.

Ghost Of Tsushima Doesn’t Hold Back With The Violence, And I’m Excited To See How That’s Depicted In The Series

In simpler terms, Tsushima isn’t an overly violent game like Mortal Kombat or Gears of War, but it does feature intense samurai battles, stealth takedowns, and some brutal duels leading up to the end credits. I’m excited to see how they portray this aspect in the series.

Based on the direction the series may follow, Jin Sakai might employ arrows, swords, knives, and innovative methods to vanquish Mongols, straw hats, and assorted adversaries from the game, or we might witness the ancient heroes confronting possessed soldiers and supernatural foes. Regardless of the route, I’m excited!

(Bonus): But I Hope This Doesn’t Mean Chad Stahelski’s Ghost Of Tsushima Movie Is On Ice

Reminiscing back to the thrilling release of “John Wick: Chapter 4” in March 2023, I penned my thoughts on how Chad Stahelski’s upcoming “Ghost of Tsushima” film had me more intrigued than any other venture from this former stuntman-director. As time passes and there seems to be a dearth of updates regarding the movie, I can’t help but feel a tinge of concern about its progress. Fervently hoping that the “Legends” anime series won’t signal the demise of Stahelski’s live-action masterpiece instead.

There’s plenty of space globally for these two initiatives to flourish without interfering with each other. In fact, they might benefit from one another by presenting distinct versions of the same intriguing concept. Let’s wait and observe.

As we eagerly anticipate updates on “Ghost of Tsushima: Legends” and the upcoming title “Ghost of Yotei,” slated for release this year, there’s an abundance of exciting 2025 films and television series to keep us engaged in the meantime.

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2025-01-12 17:07