Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2021 is unveiling a lot of series, and Blade Runner: Black Lotus is one of them. In fact, they have decided to unveil the opening for this anime at the expo. Check it out:

Not sure about the song yet, but I’m loving those visuals.

Crunchyroll and Adult Swim are responsible for bringing the opening sequence for Blade Runner: Black Lotus to us on YouTube. That song you’re hearing throughout the opening is “Feel You Now” by GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. To me, the song still doesn’t quite scream “Blade Runner” yet. However, the visuals more than make up for it. The visual sequences throughout the opening feels very much like it came straight out of the original film, but there’s also just this hint of Ghost in the Shell in there.

Unfortunately, we still don’t know exactly when Crunchyroll and Adult Swim are planning to premier Blade Runner: Black Lotus. The best we have so far is a release date sometime in Q4 2021. Watch out for swinging blades and Replicant action then.

Blade Runner: Black Lotus ~ A New Hope?

Blade Runner: Black Lotus key art.
Definitely looking more like Blade Runner, but with that hint of Ghost in the Shell.

Not sure about anyone else, but for me, that opening for Blade Runner: Black Lotus smoothed out any doubts I had for this anime from the trailer a short time ago. It definitely feels like Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama have done a masterful job on this anime based purely on that opening. As a fan of both Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell, I approve of the subtle mixing of the 2 styles. The plot certainly doesn’t hurt, according to the official synopsis:

Los Angeles 2032. A young woman wakes up with no memories, and possessing deadly skills. The only clues to her mystery are a locked data device and a tattoo of a black lotus. Putting together the pieces, she must hunt down the people responsible for her brutal and bloody past to find the truth of her lost identity.

Conclusion

Blade Runner: Black Lotus just unveiled the series opening and a new bit of key art as well, thanks to Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2021. Said opening and key art feels very much like the original Blade Runner, with hints of Ghost in the Shell. As a fan of both series, they restore my faith in this upcoming CGI anime. The only thing that would make this day better would be an exact release date, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

Source: Crunchyroll Collection