HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'Sol Levante': Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about the first hand-drawn anime in 4K HDR quality

This is Netflix's first collaboration with Production IG, which was founded in 1987 and has an incredible influence on the anime industry

Netflix recently announced that 'Sol Levante', the streaming services collaboration with Production IG. It was supposed to be launched last fall but it's finally time for the 4K HDR animation technology come to life. This is the first 4K HDR hand-drawn animated series and has been streaming on Netflix in 190 countries since before the end of 2019.

Release date

'Sol Levante' will premiere on the streaming service on March 23, 2020.

Plot

Netflix has not released any details on the plot but a bit of the behind-the-scenes has been released revealing exceptional art. The upcoming Netflix original is an ONA (Original Net Animation) or web anime in Japan. This is the first hand-drawn anime in 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range) quality.

Creators

This is Netflix's first collaboration with Production IG, which was founded in 1987 and has an incredible influence on the anime industry. Some of the studio's acclaimed works include 'Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror', ' Miss Hokusai', 'Psycho-Pass', 'East of Eden', 'Guilty Crown' and 'Ghost in the Shell.' 

The production team used the ColorEdge CG319X as their main editing monitor and the ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG3145 for final color checks and referencing. Akira Saito serves as director/editor in visual concepts/visual effects. Hisashi Ezura serves in animation technical supervision/screen design. Miho Tanaka serves in color design/ color coordination.

When asked what the best part of 'Sol Levante' was, Saito said, "I just want people to experience the pure beauty produced by the detail, color, and contrasts of bright and dark. If people want to see more works like this in the future, 4K HDR production will gain momentum, so I’d just like for people to watch it without thinking too much. 4K HDR will lead to the dawn of a new era of film."

“'Sol Levante' means 'morning sun' or 'sunrise' in Italian. A direct translation would be 'rising sun,' which could be interpreted as Japan, the Land of Rising Sun, so it includes our desire that the dawn of the new era of film to begin in Japan," added Saito.

Trailer

This is the behind the scenes glimpses of the exceptional project coming to life.

Where to watch

Stream 'Sol Levante' on Netflix on March 23, 2020, in 4K HDR.

If you like this, you'll love these

'Death Note'

'Robotech'

'Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet'

'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'

'Mobile Suit Gundam UC'