Ryuu Rising: The Vertical Revolution of Indie Anime

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On May 4, 2026, Ryuu announced its upcoming launch as the first streaming platform dedicated entirely to vertical animation (9:16 format). Built specifically for mobile viewing, the platform distinguishes itself by funding and publishing original indie anime series without the use of AI, cropping, or “retrofitting” horizontal content.

Here are the key details from the announcement:

The Mission: Empowering Indie Creators

Founded by Aga Palka, Ryuu aims to provide a professional home for “internet-born” creators who have built massive followings on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Palka’s philosophy centers on supporting human artistry over “AI slop,” ensuring that independent animators receive:

  • Funding to turn their concepts into full series.

  • Lifelong royalties for their work.

  • Revenue sharing for the entire production crew, including voice actors and editors.

Flagship Series and Creator Roster

The platform is launching with a roster of creators who collectively boast over 1 billion views online.

  • Flagship Series: Granite Waves – Created by the anonymous director Tezeze, this series has already generated 100 million views on its teasers. It features a Slavic and Central Asian-inspired world and follows Elya, a “mad scientist” voiced by Sarah Natochenny (the long-time voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokémon).

  • Other Launch Creators: * Alindraws: Creator of Sonnenlied (50M views).

    • Shar: Filipino YouTuber and Golden Button holder (150M views), creator of Little Wizard, Big Journey.

    • No Sam: Creator of Infinit.

    • Prin: Creator of Moth to Flame.

    • SpacearTEAst: An artist with a major following in Central Europe.

Production and Talent

  • Vertical-First: Every episode is produced natively in 9:16 and runs roughly two to three minutes.

  • Voice Talent: In addition to Sarah Natochenny, the platform features Jenny Yokobori (Genshin Impact) and Katie Wetch (Wind Breaker). Ryuu also held open auditions that drew over 10,000 entries to discover fresh talent.

Launch Roadmap

The platform includes community-focused features like live chat during premieres, allowing creators to interact with fans in real-time. By focusing on mobile-native formatting and creator-led storytelling, Ryuu is positioning itself as a modern alternative to traditional landscape-oriented streaming giants.