The show will be Crunchyroll’s first ever original series | Photo: Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll are launching their first ever original anime series and a trans man is the creative force behind it.
The anime streaming service are taking inspiration from Netflix’s strategy and launching their first original series, High Guardian Spice. But that’s not all: the creator is life-long anime fan, storyboard artist, comic writer and transgender man, Raye Rodriguez. He’ll be leading an all-female writing room.
The show, created by Ellation Animation, is a coming-of-age tale filled with drama and sorcery. It’s set to release in 2019. Crunchyroll released its official synopsis in a press release:
‘In High Guardian Spice, the lives of four fierce girls, Rosemary, Sae, Thyme and Parsley, converge at High Guardian Academy, the one place where they can stumble towards adulthood while becoming the heroes they’ve always admired.
‘As they master the ways of battle and sorcery, our foursome form allegiances and comical kinships, uncover legacies and betrayals, and discover their true identities while preparing to protect the world from an ominous threat.’
Raye’s previously worked as a Storyboard Artist at Sprite Animation Studios. He was also a Character Designer on Amazon’s Danger & Eggs.
Not everyone’s happy…
Of course, the announcement of the anime has caused some controversy. The anime fan community have been in hot debate ever since the trailer dropped.
Many have accused the show of ‘pandering’ to a diverse audience. While others took issue with the fact the marketing centered the writing staff, and not the show.
High Guardian Spice looks like it ‘could’ be okay as far as art-direction goes, despite also looking a bit Cal-Arts’y
The “our staff is SO DIVERSE and I just think that’s so wonderful, and-” salespitch completely killed my interest though
— Nanaℬ (@Narehachi) August 22, 2018
I feel bad for Raye Rodriguez. The announcement would’ve been better if Crunchyroll focused on the actual show, not the female writers & diverse cast. It seemed artificial. High Guardian Spice could be good but cause the announcement failed & Kate Leth, most ppl aren’t excited.
— Keiso (@KeiSol7) August 23, 2018
Someone asked for my take on #HighGuardianSpice.
There’s nothing new to my take except I’m just invoking an ancient meme. pic.twitter.com/kIkofglk1x— Matt (@illeity) August 25, 2018
However, others defended the show – and made sure everyone knew they were excited.
It is so frustrating to watch people tear down often women and LGBT creators time and time again, especially in a field I plan to go into when I’m older. I made this small sketch for @dinoraye and the rest of the team as support. Fight like a magical girl 💕 #HighGuardianSpice pic.twitter.com/3rT74AoEaH
— EverAster (@EverAster_) August 24, 2018
seeing weebs get mad about high guardian spice is so amusing… y’all do realize that a show having diversity in their cast, characters, and staff doesn’t mean it’s “pandering to the sjws, right?” do any of you even go outside
— ch. 🦑💖 (@manga) August 23, 2018
end of my thoughts about yesterday:
Nobody is obligated to like high guardian spice. But getting mad that it exists at all and demanding that crunchyroll only spend money on stuff that interests you is silly.
I’m not cancelling netflix b/c they’re funding live action SAO.
— Geoff @Crunchy Expo (@G0ffThew) August 23, 2018
Watch the trailer for High Guardian Spice:
[embedded content]
More from Gay Star News:
Upcoming anime Back Street Girls will feature Yakuza members getting gender reassignment surgery
A Swedish orchestra has turned homophobic hate mail into an opera
These sexy gaymers want to share their love of all things geeky
