First unveiled during Anime Expo, Jurassic Shadows is an original shounen action anime directed by Naganuma that blends dinosaurs, ninjas, and makeup-inspired powers into a modern-day battle story. Set in Tokyo in 2029, the series centers on characters who awaken dinosaur abilities through their DNA, with more than ten different dinosaur species appearing throughout the story. While dinosaurs naturally dominated much of the discussion, the panel revealed that they are only one piece of the show’s identity. Iizumi explained that makeup and ninjas are equally important pillars of the series, helping shape both the world and its unique power system alongside the prehistoric creatures.
The creative team also spoke extensively about the visual philosophy behind the project. Several key staff members who worked on The Apothecary Diaries reunited for Jurassic Shadows, particularly in the color design department. According to the panelists, color plays a critical role in both the dinosaurs themselves and the overall story, making it one of the production’s biggest artistic challenges. Finding the right color palettes for each dinosaur required extensive research. During the Q&A, the staff explained that selecting the perfect colors involved countless palette tests before arriving at designs that fit both the creatures and the narrative. Another visual element carried over from The Apothecary Diaries is the emphasis on expressive eyes. Just as eye acting was an important storytelling tool in their previous work, the team is once again placing significant focus on large, expressive eyes to convey emotion throughout Jurassic Shadows. The panel’s audience eagerly participated in a lively question-and-answer session, offering fans a deeper look into the philosophy behind the series.
