Overwatch cartoon, Diablo anime series reportedly in the works from Blizzard

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Adjust your gaming chairs and hold onto your Mountain Dew: Code Red, because rumors are swirling that Blizzard is reportedly developing animated television series for two of their most beloved video game franchises: Overwatch and Diablo. To be crystal clear, Activision Blizzard has yet to officially confirm that the aforementioned projects are indeed happening, though a recent post by Nick van Dyk, President of the film and TV division of Activision Blizzard, would suggest that both are in the works.

Dyk recently announced his involvement in the making of both series on his LinkedIn profile, saying that he'll be acting as an executive producer of a TV adaptation of Diablo that is "rendered in anime style." According to Dyk, the Diablo anime is poised to be distributed worldwide via Netflix.

In addition to posting about the supposed Diablo anime series, Dyk also stated that he has "developed and sold an animated series based Blizzard's Overwatch franchise." For those of you who might not be familiar with Overwatch, the first-person, team-based shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment first arrived on the scene in May of 2016. Featuring a robust cast of characters, Overwatch pits players against one another in frenzied, arena-style combat. Throughout the game's history, Blizzard has produced a number of animated shorts that provide background for many of the game's characters. With the prospect of an Overwatch cartoon now up for speculation, one would imagine that Blizzard plans to showcase the world of Overwatch on an even larger stage than ever before.

Recently video game adaptations have seen a rise in popularity. If you don't believe me, all you need to do is check out the success of Netflix's CASTLEVANIA series, or the $57 million domestic debut of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. Could it be that films and series based on video games will at long last be taken seriously by studio executives and fans alike? Only time will tell, though if I were a betting man, I'd say that things are looking good for our favorite game franchises and then some.