Dragons of Wonderhatch: Everything we know
The Walt Disney Company Disney’s Dragons of Wonderhatch is set to be a magical fusion of live-action and anime. Here’s everything we know so far.
After 100 years dominating the animation world, Disney will venture once again into almost uncharted territory with their upcoming anime adventure: Dragons of Wonderhatch. Also known in Japanese as Wonderhatch Sora-Tobu Ryu no Shima, the series will combine live-action and anime elements to create a one-of-a-kind fantasy adventure.
In this Disney original, the live-action segments will immerse viewers in the real world, while the anime portions will transport them to an alternate dimension that’s inhabited by dragons.
So get ready for a new kind of fantasy adventure? Here is everything we know about Disney’s Dragons of Wonderhatch.
Dragons of Wonderhatch premiere date
Dragons of Wonderhatch’s premiere is around the corner. It will be released on December 20, 2023, exclusively on Disney+.
Anime fans can look forward to an exciting winter season as Disney partners with Production I.G, the studio behind popular titles like “Haikyuu” and “Psycho-Pass.” This collaboration introduces a fresh perspective on anime that we predict will introduce Disney among the titans of Japanese animation.
The project also boasts an impressive team of creators behind it. Kentaro Hagiwara, known for his work on the live-action adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul, is directing the real-world segments, and Takashi Otsuka, renowned for the Precure franchise and One Piece Stampede, is taking the helm for the anime parts. Additionally, Posuka Demizu, the illustrator behind The Promised Neverland manga, is responsible for the original character designs and concept art.
Dragons of Wonderhatch Plot
Like with any TV series, the heart of Dragons of Wonderhatch lies in its story.
The narrative revolves around Nagi, a High School girl in the real world, and Tyme, a young boy in an extraordinary alternate dimension where dragonriders communicate with these mythical beasts. But as their worlds collide, an adventure that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy (and animation with real life) unfolds.
The film also boasts an impressive cast. The officially released cast members include: Nakajima Sena portraying Nagi, Okudaira Daiken as Tyme, and Mackenyu Arata taking on the role of Akuta. Additionally, in October 2023, the production team announced new cast members, with Rena Tanaka taking on the role of Nagi’s mother, Hana, and Masami Miura portraying Nagi’s father.
Dragons of Wonderhatch cast
On December 5, a special video for the anime segment revealed four new cast members.
These cast members are as follows:
- Yu Shimamura as Kate, the deputy commander of Akuta’s unit
- Kenta Miyake as Byce, a member of Akuta’s unit
- Jun Fukuyama as Gatz, a member of Akuta’s unit
- Shimba Tsuchiya as Maul
These four new members will join the rest of the cast:
- Sena Nakajima as Nagi
- Daiken Okudaira as Tyme
- Yoshita Emmanuelle as Son
- Mackenyu Arata as Dragonrider Akuta
- Rena Tanaka as Hana
- Masaki Miura as Taichi
- Riko Narumi as Ayana Nijisaki
- SUMIRE as Saira
- Kenjiro Tsuda as Gyro
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Gafin
While it’s a Disney project, C & I Entertainment, which is known for the live-action of Rurouni Kenshin is overseeing the production, with Production I.G. is producing the anime portion of the project.
Kentara Hagiwara, known for the Tokyo Ghoul live-action film, will direct the series after five years developing it, with One Piece Stampede’s Takashi Otsuka directing the anime portions. Kyota Fujimoto, Takamasa Oe and Anna Kawahara are the series scriptwriters, with Teruhisa Yamamoto, Hitoshi Itou and Hideyuki Wakuta as the producers. While Posuka Demizu is behind the original character designs.
Dragons of Wonderhatch: Teaser trailer
Disney+ released a teaser trailer for Dragons of Wonderhatch on October 23, 2023, which offered a glimpse of what’s to come.
The teaser trailer introduces audiences to two of the main characters, Japanese schoolgirl Nagi and Tyme, the dragon rider from an alternate world. Colorful 2D animation, reminiscent of beloved anime styles, and live-action that evokes popular J-dramas has only heightened anticipation for this new series.
With the premiere date just around the corner, Dragons of Wonderhatch is currently in uncharted waters. But this hybrid could inject anime (and the world of fantasy entertainment) with a fresh take that fans didn’t know they needed and provide viewers with an unparalleled viewing experience.
So, make sure you stay tuned for an adventure that promises to transcend the boundaries of imagination. On December 20, 2023, Dragons of Wonderhatch will transport audiences to a world where dragons and reality coexist in captivating harmony.
Coming to Disney+.
While you wait, you can check out our other anime coverage here.