The NTV television channel has launched a website for a new Gatchaman Crowds anime series. The website notes that the series will premiere in July. NTV does not specify if the new series will be a full anime series or a series of anime shorts.

NTV recently ended its Ohayō Ninja-Tai Gatchaman anime series of one-minute flash shorts based on Tatsunoko Production's classic science-fiction hero series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. These shorts aired during the station's Zip! television program on weekday mornings.

The first Gatchaman anime premiered in October of 1972 and earned an average rating of 21%. It was only planned for two quarters (kūru or cours) of a year, but was extended to two full years and 105 episodes. It has since spawned anime films as well as later television and video series. The anime series in the Gatchaman franchise were adapted, with varying degrees of faithfulness, into English under the names Battle of the Planets, G-Force, and Eagle Riders.

The franchise is also inspiring a live-action film adaptation starring Tori Matsuzaka, Gō Ayano, Ayame Gōriki, Tatsuomi Hamada, and Ryōhei Suzuki that will open in Japan on August 24.

Image © Tatsunoko Productions / Gatchaman Crowds Production Committee