While hardcore fans of the mecha-anime series may already know where to stream it, the graphic novel adaptation of gen:LOCK has received a linear television premiere date during the anime block of Adult Swim’s programming, known as Toonami. Variety reports that starting August 3, 2019, the Rooster Teeth series can officially be seen on WarnerMedia channel. A dip into adult anime definitely shows an interest in diversifying a roster for a potential streaming platform that pulls from several subsidiaries.
gen:LOCK is mecha-anime, so expect lots of high-tech gadgets, and the fight to control them. The official logline reads:
Set fifty years in the future, where an oppressive authoritarian force threatens to conquer the world, with Earth’s last free society on the losing side of that war, a diverse team of young pilots are recruited to control the next generation of mecha—giant, weaponized robot bodies. These daring recruits will find, however, that their newfound abilities come at no small cost. As Chase leaves behind his life as a fighter pilot to become the first candidate for the program, he finds his endurance, as well as his very identity, will be tested beyond anything he ever imagined.
The show also has an impressive slate of voice actors, with Michael B. Jordan leading and featuring Dakota Fanning, Maisie Williams, Kōichi Yamadera, Golshifteh Farahani, Asia Kate Dillon, and David Tennant. For those who absolutely cannot wait until August, the show is available to stream through Rooster Teeth and Crunchyroll.
With the release of gen:LOCK on a traditional platform, comes the additional release of a tie-in print comic. The material had previously been released in its digital art form, but can now be purchased as a literal graphic novel. Earlier this week, DC Comics announced a partnership with Rooster Teeth for gen:LOCK and RWBY, another digital comic, this via Gizmodo. The creative team behind the print series are no stranger to comic books either. The comic is set to expand on what viewers will be able to watch and will be co-written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzig (Green Arrow, Nightwing, Gotham City Garage) and illustrated by artist Carlo Barbieri (Green Lantern, Adventures of Super Sons).
Kelly and Lanzig released a statement saying, “Giant mechas, heartfelt drama, and a whole new theater of war – we’re deeply excited to be telling the next chapter of the gen:LOCK universe. Huge thanks to everyone at Rooster Teeth & DC for recruiting us into this grand experiment – we promise to turn the screws on Chase, Cammie, Kazu, Val, and Yaz as they face an uncertain future and a devastating new threat.”