If you’re an anime fan with a taste for history, steampunk aesthetics, or ambitious world-building, Leviathan might just be your next obsession. As of July 10, 2025, Netflix has officially released Leviathan, an anime adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s acclaimed novel trilogy. With top-tier animation from Studio Orange and a music team that includes none other than Joe Hisaishi of Ghibli fame, this series is already making waves across social media, Reddit, and anime forums. But Leviathan isn’t just another flashy release—it’s a meticulously crafted, globally inspired project that stands out in this year’s anime landscape.
The Storyline: A War, a Whale, and Two Worlds Colliding
Set in an alternate history version of 1914, Leviathan takes place in a world on the edge of the First World War—but with a powerful twist. The global conflict isn’t between countries alone—it’s between two ideological and technological giants: the Darwinists, who use genetically engineered "beast-machines" (living airships, battle animals, and more), and the Clankers, who rely on steam-powered walkers, mechs, and diesel-driven military hardware.
At the heart of this clash are two very different teens:
Prince Aleksandar (Alek): The young, exiled heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, who’s been forced to flee after his parents’ assassination. Raised in a mechanical world, he pilots a two-legged war machine and struggles with the legacy of imperialism, duty, and survival.
Deryn Sharp: A girl from Britain who disguises herself as a boy to join the British Air Service. She’s assigned to the HMS Leviathan, a massive living airship made from a modified blue whale, filled with fabricated animals and bio-engineered systems. Her world is one of science and imagination—but also secrecy.
When Alek and Deryn’s worlds collide—quite literally in the skies—their alliance could tip the scales of war. Together, they navigate battles, espionage, internal identity struggles, and a friendship that challenges the very ideologies they were raised in.
Leviathan isn’t just a war story—it’s a coming-of-age epic set against the backdrop of geopolitical upheaval, with themes of gender, loyalty, identity, and survival running throughout.
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Who’s Behind the Magic? A Visual & Narrative Powerhouse
This anime adaptation brings together some of the finest names in the industry:
Animation Studio: Studio Orange (BEASTARS, Trigun Stampede) known for their hyper-polished CG visuals and emotionally grounded storytelling.
Production Partner: Qubic Pictures (Eden, Blade Runner: Black Out).Director: Christophe Ferreira, praised for his elegant direction in Eden.
Screenplay: Yuichiro Kido (Beastars, Blue Period), known for nuanced character writing.CG Direction: Takayuki Miyakoda and Eiji Inomoto, experts in hybrid animation techniques that blend realism with anime style.
The result? Visually stunning character expressions, epic battle sequences in the skies, and seamless transitions between human drama and high-stakes war scenes.
Main Characters & Voice Cast
The Japanese dub features:
Ayumu Murase as Prince Alek – known for emotional range (Shoyo Hinata – Haikyuu!!)
Natsumi Fujiwara as Deryn Sharp – known for portraying tough-yet-vulnerable roles
With such a seasoned cast, even the quieter emotional moments land powerfully.
The Sound of War and Wonder: Music by Joe Hisaishi
Yes, you read that right—Joe Hisaishi, legendary composer for Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke, has composed the theme music for Leviathan. His lush, emotional orchestration adds gravitas and warmth to an otherwise war-torn world.
Complementing his themes are Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, Ultraman), who score the series with atmospheric tension, swelling brass, and futuristic undertones. It's a sonic experience worthy of theaters, not just streaming.
Buzz & Early Fan Reactions
🎉 Reddit users are praising the visual fidelity and steampunk vibe, calling it “Ghibli meets Attack on Titan.”
🎬 Fans of the book series are thrilled that Scott Westerfeld and illustrator Keith Thompson were involved in the adaptation.🧠 There's talk of Leviathan becoming a benchmark for Western-Japanese anime hybrids, especially due to its literary source and production quality.
Streaming Details
Now streaming globally on Netflix
Languages: English, Japanese, French, German (with subs & dubs)Episode count: 12
Runtime: ~24 minutes per episodeGenre tags: Steampunk, Action, Historical Fiction, Drama, Sci-Fi
Netflix’s Leviathan isn’t just another anime—it’s a cultural blend of Western literature and Japanese animation that delivers on both spectacle and story. Whether you're here for airship battles, rich lore, or simply Joe Hisaishi’s music, this one’s worth your watchlist.
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