Fans of puppet-based martial arts mayhem are in for a treat, because at AnimeJapan 2017 Nitroplus announced that in addition to the upcoming sequel to Thunderbolt Fantasy, a spin-off prequel project which focuses on the exploits of Shā Wú Shēng, the Screaming Phoenix Killer, is in production.

The story of Thunderbolt Fantasy: Sword of Life and Death will be based in part on the Thunderbolt Fantasy Gaiden novel (which will be released in Japan on April 07, 2017), and in part on a new story penned by Gen Urobochi. A new character named Tiě Dí Xian, the instructor of Shā Wú Shēng, will appear in the film.

The exact format and release date for Thunderbolt Fantasy: Sword of Life and Death have not yet been revealed, although it appears the project may be composed of 2 episodes released in an omnibus format, and the project is scheduled for release some time in 2017.

Sources:

animate Times

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Paul Chapman is the host of The Greatest Movie EVER! Podcast and GME! Anime Fun Time.