John Wick Anime Prequel Explains Why It Goes Pop and Delves Into Wick’s Past

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The “John Wick” series intends to grow with an innovative anime spin-off set prior to the events depicted in the live-action movies, and the co-creator has shed light on their decision to explore the prequel path for this new anime project. Although it may have seemed like “John Wick” concluded a couple of years ago following the release of “John Wick: Chapter 4”, it appears that was simply the start of something entirely different, as the series has only continued to gain strength since then. In addition to the upcoming spinoff movie, there is also an anime project in development.

The news broke that a fresh “John Wick” anime undertaking was underway before the premiere of “John Wick: Chapter 4.” Franchise director and co-creator Chad Stahelski hinted they were collaborating with Japanese talents to bring this new project to fruition. Initially, it was suggested that this would be a prequel addressing some unanswered questions from the live-action films. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski disclosed the reasoning behind choosing a prequel for this new venture: “Keanu and I aren’t keen on moving backward.

Why John Wick’s Anime Is a Prequel

Chad Stahelski, one of the creators of John Wick, explained that they are not considering going back in time with their new anime project. Instead, he stated, “Anime doesn’t require de-aging characters or providing explanations for oddities. It stands on its own without needing justification. Anime is self-explanatory and instant.” This approach makes sense because it allows them to avoid addressing Keanu Reeves’ real-life age in the context of a younger John Wick, as well as offering more creative freedom when developing the franchise within the anime medium.

Last year, when asked about the prequel anime film of John Wick, Stahelski shared that they are currently developing a feature-length anime centered around John Wick. This prequel will serve as a lead-up to the movies, offering an entertaining exploration of events that would enable Wick to retire before the first film. However, he emphasized that this animated venture is intended to be lighthearted and enjoyable, rather than following a rigid narrative structure like some other franchise prequels or sequels. In essence, they aim to have fun with the John Wick universe, as they’ve already concluded the storyline up to John Wick: Chapter 4, so they are now exploring a different medium.

Why Is John Wick Going Anime?

Instead of merely continuing the John Wick saga, I find it intriguing that Stahelski is choosing to delve into an anime interpretation. Previously, he expressed that this approach would allow for a fresh perspective on a well-trodden path. This new format will enable us to explore previously uncharted territories of John Wick’s world and his past, making it more exciting and less repetitive. Additionally, the anime format provides an opportunity to be bolder and more imaginative in our storytelling, while the television series allows for a deeper exploration of the world we’ve created. It’s all about keeping things fresh and engaging without retreading old ground.

The specific producer for the upcoming “John Wick” anime series hasn’t been disclosed yet, but director Chad Stahelski has a rich background in anime projects like the ongoing “Lazarus,” created by renowned animator Shinichiro Watanabe. The co-creator has already hinted at how his expertise might be applied to the anime genre, leaving fans eagerly anticipating that a complete “John Wick” anime could match or surpass the quality of those previous projects.

HT – THR

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2025-06-08 18:39