Shogakukan officially announced on Friday that Hinasho’s popular Shion manga will receive a net anime adaptation, set to debut on YouTube. The dedicated YouTube channel for the anime is scheduled to fully launch on December 1st, promising a new way for fans to experience the series.
Unveiling the Shion Net Anime
The upcoming net anime for Shion marks a significant step for the manga, bringing its narrative to a wider, digitally native audience. The official YouTube channel, which will host the anime installments, is slated for a full launch on December 1st, coinciding with the release of the first animated content. This production involves BitStar Anime, a brand under the influencer marketing company Bitstar Inc., indicating a strategic approach to online distribution and engagement. The choice of a “net anime” format underscores a growing trend in the industry, leveraging platforms like YouTube for direct and accessible content delivery to a global viewership.
About Hinasho’s Shion Manga
Penned and illustrated by Hinasho, the Shion manga is serialized in Shogakukan’s Gekkan CoroCoro Comic. It falls under the genres of action, school life, and shonen, catering to a young male demographic. While specific plot details are best experienced directly, the categorized elements for the series on MangaUpdates include a blue-haired protagonist, bodyguards, braids, guns, hitmen, and middle school students, suggesting an exciting narrative set within a school environment with elements of danger and conflict. The manga was first published in 2025.
The Rising Popularity of Net Anime
The decision to adapt Shion into a net anime reflects a broader industry shift towards digital distribution. Net anime, or original net animation (ONA), refers to anime directly released on the internet, bypassing traditional television broadcast schedules. This format offers several advantages, including greater accessibility for international audiences, flexibility in episode length and release schedules, and often, a more direct connection with the fanbase through online platforms. For titles like Shion, a net anime can cultivate a dedicated online community and potentially reach viewers who might not engage with conventional broadcast television. This model also allows for innovative marketing strategies, often leveraging influencer networks, as suggested by BitStar Anime’s involvement.
Anticipation for the Digital Debut
The announcement of the Shion net anime has generated anticipation among existing fans of Hinasho’s work and new viewers alike. With the YouTube channel’s full launch on December 1st, audiences will soon be able to immerse themselves in the animated world of Shion, marking an exciting new chapter for the manga series. The move into online animation highlights the evolving landscape of content consumption and the industry’s adaptation to digital-first strategies.
