'Kengan Ashura' Part 2: Release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know about the Netflix original anime series
One of the most unique combinations of art, entertainment and comic storytelling, Japanese manga gives us the most fascinating visual experience. While we have seen ample manga comics translated into anime series for years, 'Kengan Ashura' brings us something refreshing, exciting, and packed with action.
Release Date
The anime adaptation is split into two parts for Netflix. The first part premiered on the streaming service on July 31, 2019. The upcoming second part is all set to stream on Halloween day — October 21, 2019.
Plot
The plot revolves around Kengan or gladiator fighting, a practice that has existed in Japan since the Edo periods. Wealthy merchants and businessmen would hire fighters to combat each other in a public arena.
The winner takes it all while offering a spectacle of strength, strategy, and power to crush his enemy. 'Kengan Ashura' follows the story of the mysterious gladiator Ohma Tokita /Ashura who fights on behalf of the Chairman of Nogi Group, to protect his corporate rights.
Kazuo Yamashita, an ordinary, 56-year old man is summoned by his company chairman to be the handler for Ashura/Tokita. The duo soon joins hands and prepares for the Kengan Zetsumei Tournament vying for the winning spot as the chairman of the Kengan Organization.
Meanwhile, during the fights, Ashura/Tokita and his fighting abilities attracts the attention of many business owners, each lining up to hire the gladiator.
The first season highlights the Kengan Annihilation Tournament and deals with the evolution of Yamashita and Ashura's friendship. The second season will cover the climax of the tournament and showcase more brutal action as well as focus on Ashura's character.
Cast/Characters
Kengan Ashura has one of the most diverse and impressive character ensembles for any anime/manga title, with the most significant ones below:
Ohma Tokita / Ashura voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese), Kaiji Tang (English)
Kazuo Yamashita voiced by Chō (Japanese), Keith Silverstein (English)
Hideki Nogi voiced by Jouji Nakata (Japanese), Michael C. Pizzuto (English)
Kaede Akiyama voiced by Yumi Uchiyama (Japanese), Erika Harlacher (English)
Lihito voiced by Hayato Kaneko (Japanese), Jonah Scott (English)
Jun Sekibayashi voiced by Tetsu Inada (Japanese), Jake Green (English)
Cosmo Imai voiced by Junya Enoki (Japanese), Bryce Papenbrook (English)
Setsuna Kiryū voiced by Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese), Todd Haberkorn (English)
Showrunner
The Netflix original anime series is adapted from its namesake manga series, created by Yabako Sandrovich and illustrated by Daromeon. Sandrovich released the series in hogakukan's shōnen manga website Ura Sunday and in the MangaONE app since April 18, 2012, which ended on August 9, 2018.
The sequel, Kengan Omega was then released on January 17, 2019, again on Ura Sunday. Netflix picked up the first set of series for their original anime in July 2019 and created by Seiji Kishi.
Director and art/animation artist and producer Kishi is known for his recent anime TV series like 'Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun', 'Radiant', 'Yuki Yana is a Hero' to name a few.
Trailer
If you haven’t watched the first part yet, then it’s time to update yourself before the second part hits the screen. Watch the trailer of Part 1 here.
Also, take a peek at the preview of Part 2 of Kengan Ashura here.
Where to watch
To watch Kengan Ashura Part 2, you must catch up on the initial story. Kengan Ashura Part 1 is available on Netflix now and Part 2 will also exclusively stream on the channel on October 31.
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