It’s time to go back about a decade as the 2009 anime series Shangri-La has now found itself some additional streaming distribution through Crunchyroll. With their partnership with Funimation, the full series is now streaming on the service in its original Japanese language with English subtitles while the dub remains on Funimation’s site. With it being an older release it’s got limited availability as it’s open to viewers in the US and Canada only.
Check out our review of the series.
Directed by Makoto Bessho based on the series composition by Hiroshi Ohnogi, it’s based on the work by Eiichi Ikegami. Range Murata worked on the character designs with GONZO handling the animation production.
The Japanese cast includes Mikako Takahashi as Kuniko Houjou, Yui Ariga as Mikuni, Yuka Iguchi as Karin Ishida, Daisuke Hirakawa as Souichirou Hata, Hidetoshi Nakamura as Tarsian, Houchu Ohtsuka as Mi-ko, and Jouji Nakata as Momoko.
Plot Concept: In the distant future, earthquakes and the effects of global warming have splintered Japanese society. Some struggle hand-to-mouth in the jungle-tangled ruins of civilization. Some live comfortably within the closed-off city of Atlas. Others lurk online, anonymously hacking the global economy. As nature grows more violent and the divide between classes expands, one spirited girl, Kuniko, must face her destiny and lead her people into the utopia of Atlas.
The city’s ruthless government isn’t going to welcome them with open arms, but Kuniko won’t give up until the gates of Atlas are kicked open for good – even if it means discovering that the promised land she dreamed of is built upon a foundation of twisted secrets and lies.
