Tomb Raider Anime Netflix - What We Know So Far
The legend of archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft grows larger every day. Originally one of gaming's most foundational female heroes, the protagonist of the "Tomb Raider" franchise became an icon of the medium and a poster child for the new era of 3D gaming that was emerging at the time. She became so big that in 2001, the games received two film adaptations in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and its 2003 sequel, "The Cradle of Life," starring Angelina Jolie.
Despite this, Lara and the rest of the "Tomb Raider" franchise suffered a bit of a downturn in popularity, being supplanted in the late 2000s by new adventure protagonists such as "Uncharted's" Nathan Drake. That was, until publisher Square Enix enlisted developer Crystal Dynamics to reboot the franchise (technically for the second time) in 2013 with the aptly-named "Tomb Raider" (via PC Gamer). This is the modern "Tomb Raider" franchise we know today, complete with its own sequels, film spin-offs, and now, anime adaptations.
That's right, Lara Croft is bound to explore new horizons once more with another genre-hop into the ever-expanding anime industry, courtesy of Netflix and Legendary Television. So far, Netflix kept news regarding the "Tomb Raider" anime to a minimum, revealing little to nothing about its release date, cast, and plot respectively. Even so, the series is sure to strike a chord with gamers, warranting a look at what we know so far regarding this upcoming project.
What is the release date for the Tomb Raider anime?
Considering that Netflix only announced its intentions to create a "Tomb Raider" anime in January (via Variety), it makes sense that the streaming giant hasn't shared an official release date quite yet. However, it has discussed the actress set to voice Lara (more on that later), indicating that Netflix and Legendary are at least partway through the series' production process. Taking this into account, it is likely that Netflix will release the "Tomb Raider" show sometime in 2022 or 2023.
However, this is nothing more than an educated estimate, and Netflix's reluctance to offer further information could indicate that the series isn't anywhere near ready. Regardless of the case, 'Tomb Raider" fans are going to have to occupy their time with something else until Netflix decides to show more regarding its upcoming into the worlds of video game adaptations and anime.
Who is in the cast for the Tomb Raider anime?
In the months since Netflix has revealed the upcoming "Tomb Raider" anime, the company has only announced one member of the voice cast. Of course, it's for exactly the character you'd expect. According to Variety, Netflix elected to enlist one of the MCU's flock, acquiring Hayley Atwell (a.k.a. Peggy Carter of "Captain America" fame) to portray Lara in the anime.
On the whole, Atwell is a great fit for Lara. We know from the MCU that Atwell is more than capable of playing a strong-willed, refined, and adventurous British woman of Lara's sort. Plus, she has experience in voice acting through her inclusion in Marvel's animated "What If..?" series. Given the right writing and direction, this could be "Tomb Raider's" most faithful and entertaining adaptations yet.
Unfortunately, Netflix has given no word on the other cast and characters set to appear in the "Tomb Raider" anime. Lara may be a leading lady, but she's never carried a story entirely on her own, leaving fans expectantly waiting for further news.
What is the plot of the Tomb Raider anime?
Fans are also waiting for further details regarding the series' plot. It has been confirmed that the series is supposed to take place after the reboot franchise's most recent third game "Shadow of the Tomb Raider." However, the conclusion of that game leaves Lara in a proverbial "neutral" state. Safe at home in her opulent manor, Lara ends "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" unsure of where her next adventure will take her. Anything could happen, and that remains doubly true for the plot of the anime.
The series is being written by Tasha Huo, according to Polygon, who has handled multiple other video game-related projects — including "The Witcher: Blood Orange" — in the past. So, while fans may not know exactly what Lara will be up to in the "Tomb Raider" anime, they can rest assured that the minds behind its story likely have a good grasp on the source material. In other words, the 'Tomb Raider" anime is setting its sights on being faithful to the games. How faithful it is, and how successful that turns out to be, however, are yet to be determined.