Announced at the annual Industry Panel at Anime Expo 2016, Funimation Entertainment revealed to the capacity audience its acquisition of “Drifters” – the eagerly anticipated new anime series from “Hellsing” creator Kouta Hirano. Funimation has secured the exclusive international rights to home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast distribution of the title from NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan. “Drifters” is set to premiere this October on the company’s subscription streaming service, FunimationNow, in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Ireland.

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with NBC Universal Entertainment Japan following last year’s acquisition of ‘Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign,’” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. “We are anticipating a great response from fans for Kouta Hirano’s ‘Drifters’ – given the tremendous popularity of his ‘Hellsing’ series.”

“Drifters” is based on the immensely popular, 5-volume manga series of the same name which currently has more than 1.5 million copies in print including English, French, German, Italian and Chinese translations. Writer Kouta Hirano, best known for his highly successful “Hellsing” series, leads the creative team for the series. He is joined by fellow “Hellsing” alums Kenichi Suzuki (director) and Ryoji Nakamori (character designer) among others.

“NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner for us – first in physical distribution ” said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation. “With the addition of ‘Drifters,’ Funimation can already assure fans of an exciting fall simulcast season, both for subtitled shows and Broadcast Dubs (near-simulcast English dubbed shows). “

For information on Funimation’s current summer simulcast & broadcast dub season, visit funimation.com/summer