Golden Axe Animated Series Sets September Release Date on Paramount Plus
The Golden Axe animated series will premiere all 10 of its episodes on September 16, according to an announcement from Paramount+ cited by Deadline. The production adapts SEGA’s 1989 side-scrolling arcade beat-em-up game for a television audience, bringing classic characters back to the screen alongside newly introduced adventurers.
Cast and Character Details
According to reporting from Deadline, the voice cast features Matthew Rhys as Gilius Thunderhead, described as a grumpy battle dwarf with poor hygiene and a chip on his shoulder. Danny Pudi stars as Hampton Squib, a naive, inexperienced first-time adventurer whose dream of heroism far exceeds his abilities. Lisa Gilroy voices Tyris Flare, a fearsome battle sorceress who is deadly in a fight and sharp-witted. Liam McIntyre portrays Ax Battler, a barbarian warrior with a strict code of honor and a sweet golden retriever demeanor. Carl Tart rounds out the core cast as Chronos “Evil” Lait, an uncomfortably cheesy humanoid panther.
Plot and Production Team
The narrative follows legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead as they reunite to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder, who refuses to stay dead, according to summaries provided by Deadline and Final Weapon. Their quest is complicated by the presence of Hampton Squib, forcing the mismatched group to work through their flaws to stop Death Adder.
The series is produced by CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Studios’ animation arm, alongside Sony Pictures Television and Original Film, as reported by Deadline. Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler co-wrote the first episode, co-created the series, and serve as executive producers, with Chandler operating as showrunner. SEGA executives Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi, and Toru Nakahara executive produce alongside Original Film’s Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, and Toby Ascher. Titmouse handles the animation, with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina serving as executive producers.
Franchise Revival Context
The adaptation arrives as part of a broader push by SEGA to resurrect classic intellectual properties. Final Weapon reported that SEGA announced plans in 2023 to bring back Golden Axe alongside other legacy arcade and console franchises like Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi. While the exact status of other revived properties remains unconfirmed, Crazy Taxi: World Tour is scheduled to release next year, according to Final Weapon.