The anime-style opening cinematic for Shantae 5 is here already, and it’s been impressing everybody with just how good it turned out to be. WayForward announced via Twitter just a few days ago that they had teamed up with Studio Trigger for the opening animation. Now that opening animation has arrived, packed with detail and easter eggs for Shantae fans and newcomers alike to relish.
The cinematic almost acts as the opening for a Shantae anime that would air on Saturday mornings. We have Shantae’s voice actress Cristina Vee belting out some inspirational lyrics to a backdrop of standard Shantae series-style adventure. Her rival Risky Boots, the purple-skinned pirate queen of the seven seas, is attacking with her ship the Tinkertub and an army of bandanna-clad Tinkerbats. Eagle-Eyed fans may also notice recurring ally Squid Baron if they look closely enough. Cannons are firing and Scuttle Town is under siege, but our Half-Genie Hero isn’t alone, because thankfully her friends Sky, Bolo, and Rottytops along with her Uncle Mimic are there to help her out.
It’s possible that highlighting all of these characters jumping into action suggests that they will all be playable in some form in Shantae 5. Each of these characters, excluding Mimic, were playable in the Shantae: Half-Genie Hero DLC titled “Friends to the End”. So, it isn’t impossible. Another thing worth pointing out is the possible reference to Super Smash Bros. hidden in the opening.
Many have noticed that a window in her bedroom bares a striking resemblance to the logo for Super Smash Bros. and seeing how there are still planned DLC characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, many excited fans are wondering what – if anything – this could mean. Shantae is already present in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a spirit but given the reveals so far for that game, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to call Shantae’s inclusion as a fighter a possibility.
Shantae 5 is planned for release in 2019 for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Apple Arcade.