Netflix is ready to unleash its next major anime adventure, Leviathan, premiering this July. It’s a breathtaking adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s bestselling steampunk novel trilogy. The anime reimagines World War I in a world where mechanical war machines clash with bioengineered beasts. It is a blend of alternate history, sci-fi, and coming-of-age drama.

The series is brought to life by the creators of BEASTARS and Star Wars: Visions. Get ready to explore the combination of Western storytelling with Japanese animation in a war. With sweeping action, breathtaking music, and elite animation, Leviathan promises to be one of the year’s standout streaming titles.

Leviathan will premiere on Thursday, July 10, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. The full 12-episode season will be available for streaming worldwide. The series is rated TV-14 and is classified as an Original Net Animation (ONA). Watch the teaser here,

Leviathan is a 2009 novel by Scott Westerfeld and illustrated by Keith Thompson. The Leviathan trilogy follows Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath. The trilogy will be adapted in this anime season.

Set in an alternate version of 1914, Leviathan explores a divided world at the brink of war. On one side are the Clankers, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which relies on massive mechanical war machines. On the other side are the Darwinists, who use fabricated beasts created through advanced genetic engineering.

Caught in the middle of this ideological and technological conflict are two unlikely heroes. Prince Aleksandar, a fugitive heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Deryn Sharp, a brave Scottish girl who disguises herself as a boy to serve in the British Air Service. Their paths collide aboard the HMS Leviathan, a massive living airship that carries them on a journey. It could change the fate of the world (via Netflix).

The voice cast is led by Ayumu Murase (Haikyu!!, Devilman Crybaby) as Prince Alek and Natsumi Fujiwara (Spy x Family, The Orbital Children) as Deryn Sharp. The ensemble also includes Shunsuke Sakuya as Count Volger, Hiroki Touchi as Nikola Tesla, Fairouz Ai as Lilit, and Mie Sonozaki as Dr. Nora Barlow.

Together, they bring to life a cast of characters that span political factions and fantastical creatures. An English dub is expected to follow.

The series is produced by Qubic Pictures and animated by Studio Orange. The studio is renowned for its work on BEASTARS, Trigun Stampede, and Land of the Lustrous. Christophe Ferreira directs the series, with Yuichiro Kido handling series composition.

Tadashi Nakajima joins them as the art director. Creature designs are handled by Lē Yamamura, while mechanical elements are designed by Takehiko Hoashi and Shinobu Tsuneki.

The series also includes breathtaking original score by Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 and Metal Gear Solid) 4. The music is further elevated by original songs by Joe Hisaishi, the legendary composer behind Studio Ghibli movies such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke. His compositions include the opening theme, Paths Combine, and the ending track, The Sky Ahead, featuring singer Diana Garnet.

Author Scott Westerfeld also serves as a co-executive producer on the anime. He has praised the adaptation’s faithfulness to his work. Westerfeld told Netflix,

It’s been wonderful to work so closely with Studio Orange and Qubic on this adaptation of Leviathan. Series illustrator Keith Thompson and I have loved watching another layer added to our already weird creation. Walking tanks and flying whales, brought to life with the dynamism of state-of-the-art anime!

With its steampunk setting, powerful narrative, and a powerhouse team of creators and performers, the series is poised to captivate anime fans. As Netflix continues its push into original anime, this adaptation is gearing up to be one of its most ambitious projects yet. Anime fans, are you excited for the steampunk adventure this summer on Netflix? Stay tuned for more.