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Recently, it feels like there has been a saturation of media that references or revisits cultural elements ofthe 80s. Things like heavy metal music and table-top games likeDungeons & Dragonshave begun to resurface.Stranger ThingsSeason 4 character Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) represents this perfectly: he is both the leader of Dungeons & Dragons group The Hellfire Club and an avid fan of metal music. With his blue jean jacket, long, scraggly hair, and donning a devil-faced shirt, Eddie fits the “freak” moniker perfectly.
Many pieces of media are now trying to capture this particular style and set of interests, to varying degrees of success. Upcoming Netflix anime seriesBastard!! - Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasyis doing the opposite. First released as a manga in the late 80s,Kazushi Hagiwara’sBastard!!was directly influenced byDungeons & Dragonsand heavy metal. The series focuses on dark wizard Dark Schneider (Kisho Taniyama) as he battles the resurrection of Anthrasax, the God of Destruction, to save the Kingdom of Metallicana. It was a pivotal figure in the manga landscape and inspired many of the commonplace aspects of dark fantasy manga and anime in place today. Now, Netflix is trying to recapture the magic that made the series groundbreaking in the late 80s and move it forward for a contemporary viewing audience with this new anime adaptation. So get your devil horns and your best thrashing shoes ready, because this high-octane, violent, magical romp is looking to conjure up some magic.
Related:‘Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn Shares the ’80s Icons That Inspired Eddie’s Look
When Is the Release Date of Bastard!!?
The first thirteen episodes of the series will premiere exclusively on Netflix on June 09, 2025. The next eleven episodes do not have a set premiere date yet, but will presumably hit the streaming service later in the year.
Watch theBastard!! Trailer
The trailer is unashamedly shonen, unashamedly violent, and unashamedly metal. The trailer in many ways channels the adrenaline-laden music of heavy metal bands likeMetallica,Anthrax,Megadeth, andIron Maiden. On display is the trademark ferocity and fantasy that fans of the series are accustomed to. The trailer is a fast-paced flurry of magic spells, demons, and sword action, set within a fantasy backdrop of lightning-lit castles and burning battlefields. The thrum of guitars gallops forward like a battalion charging into battle. The trailer gives us a glimpse of anti-hero protagonist Dark Schneider showing off with arrogant cackling, and casting powerful magic. We even get a reference to the infamous slime scene that readers of the manga will recognize almost immediately.
Despite its flash, the trailer doesn’t give newer fans unfamiliar with the series much context about the story. Luckily, there is a special event panel on the upcoming series available on YouTube where the four lead voice actors (Kisho Taniyama,Tomori Kusunoki,Hiroki Yasumoto, andYoko Hikasa) answer questions about the series production and generally inform the viewer about the background and context of the series. It is also just entertaining to watch the voice actors talking about their relationship to the series.
Related:‘Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre’ Anime Anthology Coming to Netfilx
What Are the Opening and Ending Songs of Bastard!!?
The panel above also reveals the opening and ending songs. The opening song will be sung byColdrain, a Japanese rock band in the post-hardcore genre. The ending will be sung byTielle, who is best known for her work with composerHiroyuki Sawano, and the opening theme of the anime seriesMobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096. According to directorTakaharu Ozaki, the opening and ending animations incorporate some of his favorite cover art from the original manga. For him, “the opening and ending are paying tribute to Hagiwara-sensei.”
Who Are the Cast and Confirmed Characters?
The lead cast ofBastard!!includes Kisho Taniyama as Dark Schneider, Tomori Kusunoki as Tia Noto Yoko, Kanae Ito as Lucien Renlen, Hiroki Yasumoto as Gara, and Yoko Hikasa as Arshes Nei.
Additionally,Tomokazu Sugitavoices Abigail,Kensho Onovoices Kall-Su,Nao Toyamavoices Sheila Tuel Meta-llicana,Yoshitsugu Matsuokavoices Lars,Ari Ozawavoices Sean Ari,Shizuka Itovoices Kai Harn, andTakehito Koyasuvoices Di-amon.
Related:‘Spawn’: The Heavy-Metal Comic Book Movie That Takes You Straight to Hell
What Is the Background of Bastard!! Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy?
The original Japanese manga series was written and illustrated by Kazushi Hagiwara and ran in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 1988, and Ultra Jump in 2000. Hagiwara drew inspiration from heavy metal music and Dungeons & Dragons, both of which feature prominently through direct and indirect references in the story. Many characters and places in the story, for instance, are named after members of Hagiwara’s favorite bands, such as The Kingdom of Metallicana (Metallica), the God of Destruction Anthrasax (Anthrax), and lead character Dark Schneider (possibly named after German heavy metal singerUdo Dirkschneider).
An earlier six-episode OVA adaptation was done byKatsuhito Akiyamaand released in the US by Pioneer. This new series hopes to expand upon the OVA and stay more true to the original manga’s storyline thanks to its longer run-time. Produced byWarner Brothers Japan, the new animation comes from the studio Liden Films, known for work on other shonen series such asTokyo RevengersandBerserk.Bastard!!is being directed by Takaharu Ozaki, known forGoblin SlayerandGirl’s Last Tour. Ozaki works alongside story editorYosuke Kuroda(Trigun,My Hero Academia) and character designerSayaka Ono(Code Geass,Valvrave the Liberator).
So What Exactly Is Bastard!! About?
The official description ofBastard!! - Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasybelow has been sourced from what accompanies the Netflix trailer:
Four hundred years since the collapse of modern civilization, the world is dominated by the chaos of swords and sorcery. The Dark Rebel Army, which plans to resurrect the god of destruction Anthrasax, continues to expand its power in a bid to rule the world, led by the overwhelmingly powerful Four Divine Kings. The Kingdom of Meta-llicana on the Central Metallion Continent is assaulted by the sorcerer-led Dark Rebel Army. In order to save the kingdom, Tia Noto Yoko, daughter of the Great Priest, has a decision to make — she must resurrect the ancient great wizard who once plotted to rule the world, and who is sealed within her childhood friend Lucien Renren. The only thing that can undo the seal is a virgin’s maiden kiss. Facing imminent danger, Yoko puts her lips on Lucien’s, and in that moment, a dark and powerful energy fills the air. The strongest, wildest, and most beautiful protagonist, the legendary wizard Dark Schneider, is finally revived!
