Orange’s Alternate-History Anime Leviathan Sets Sail on Netflix This July 10!
Acclaimed animation studio Orange has officially announced that its upcoming anime adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan novel series will debut exclusively on Netflix on July 10, 2025. The announcement was made on Tuesday, alongside the release of a brand-new key visual for the show, giving fans their first glimpse into the steampunk-inspired alternate-history world of Leviathan.
What Is Leviathan About?
Set in 1914, just as World War I is about to erupt, Leviathan explores a reimagined version of history with bioengineered creatures and steam-powered war machines. The story follows a fugitive prince who encounters a girl disguised as a boy aboard a massive living airship known as Leviathan. With war looming on the horizon, their chance meeting could change the course of history.
Behind the Scenes: A Stellar Production Team
This ambitious project is a collaboration between Orange (known for high-quality CG animation) and Qubic Pictures, a production company co-founded by anime producer Justin Leach. Leach, alongside Taiki Sakurai (former anime chief producer at Netflix), is producing the series.
Christophe Ferreira, who previously worked on Eden, is directing the anime.
Joe Hisaishi, the legendary composer known for his work with Studio Ghibli, is contributing an original song to the project—an exciting addition for anime music fans.
The soundtrack will be composed by Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi, a powerful duo known for their work on Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, Ultraman, RWBY: Ice Queendom, and even major game titles like Halo 4, Halo 5, and Metal Gear Solid 3 & 4.
The original novel illustrations were drawn by Keith Thompson, and the story blends sci-fi and historical drama in a way that’s perfect for anime adaptation.
To build excitement, Qubic Pictures is showcasing Leviathan at the Otakon anime convention (August 2–4) in Washington, D.C. Notable guests include producer Justin Leach, co-producer Katrina Minett, and director Christophe Ferreira. Fans attending the event will likely get exclusive insights and possibly even early previews of the series.
Why This Matters: Orange’s Animation Legacy
Orange has built a strong reputation for pushing the boundaries of CG anime. Their previous works include:
BEASTARS (Paru Itagaki)
Land of the Lustrous (Haruko Ichikawa)
Godzilla Singular Point (Netflix series)
Trigun Stampede
Their signature blend of fluid CG animation and character-driven storytelling makes them an ideal studio for adapting Leviathan’s intricate world of biopunk and steampunk warfare.
If you're interested in alternate-history anime, high-stakes adventures, or are a fan of Joe Hisaishi's music, Leviathan is one summer anime you won’t want to miss.