Ryuu Unveils First Vertical Anime Streamer, Partners with Indie Creators with 1B+ Total Views

Ryuu, promoting itself as the first vertical animation streaming platform, has revealed its launch alongside an expanding collection of internet-based creators whose combined online audience surpasses 1 billion views. The service is currently available for early access preorders leading up to its Summer 2026 debut.

While established studios and streamers discuss the merits of vertical mobile-friendly formatting and modifying existing content, Ryuu aims to create, finance, and distribute independent original premium anime series natively in 9:16 vertical format, designed specifically for mobile use. The company asserts: ‘No cropping. No Compromise. No AI.’

Aga Palka

Ryuu was established by Aga Palka, a dedicated anime enthusiast who began watching Shaman King at age five and has always held the belief that animation can transform the world — and that the creators capable of effecting change deserve more than what the current industry provides. With the introduction of Ryuu, Palka is wagering that financing internet-born creators whose creativity and cultural insight resonate with vertical platform viewers will naturally foster fan connection, transcending what an algorithm can produce.

“The next Masashi Kishimoto or Eiichirō Oda may be in their 20s at this very moment, anonymously sharing their work on TikTok from a small town you’ve never heard of. We’re here to ensure they get to share their Naruto or One Piece, even when the rest of the industry is focused on AI-generated content instead of artistry,” stated Palka, who also acts as producer on Ryuu’s flagship series, Granite Waves. “Ryuu exists to support legendary indie creators when no one else will.”

Ryuu’s launch lineup spans various continents and platforms; animators and creators who have built extensive online audiences are now, for the first time, supported by a studio to realize their original concepts. Six creators are confirmed at launch, with over 10 additional signings expected to be announced throughout 2026:

• Tezeze – anonymous creator and director, whose Granite Waves teasers garnered over 100 million views; creator of Granite Waves
• Alindraws – creator of Sonnenlied, accumulating 50M views across social media platforms, previously collaborated with Daft Punk as an illustrator
• Shar – Filipino YouTuber-animator, recipient of the YouTube Golden Button with over 1 million subscribers and 150M views; creator of Little Wizard, Big Journey
• No Sam – creator of Infinit, artist whose sculptures, paintings, and illustrations were showcased in an exhibition at the Korean art gallery CICA미술관
• Prin – creator of Moth to Flame, a well-known artist and animator with over half a million fans online, spanning Japan to the United States
• SpacearTEAst – series title to be announced, original comic author and artist with a strong presence in Central Europe

While every creator is compensated for their contributions to the project, they receive lifelong royalties for their series. Ryuu’s human-centric approach also stands against the rise of AI-generated content and the associated layoffs: the platform ensures that the entire production team, including animators, voice actors, editors, and designers, benefit from a revenue share in the stories they help bring to life.

The platform also focuses on connecting industry professionals with emerging talents. Through open online auditions that attracted over 10,000 entries from both seasoned professionals and newcomers, Ryuu has established a distinctive venue for fresh voices to enter the industry. Consequently, Ryuu’s series include a blend of first-time V.O. actors collaborating with well-known names in English-language anime. More announcements are forthcoming as additional series are unveiled.

Confirmed voice talent includes:

• Sarah Natochenny – multiple Webby and Voice Arts award recipient, recognized as the voice of Ash Ketchum throughout the entire Pokémon franchise, Anime Awards nominee for Best English Performance; voices Elya in Granite Waves
• Jenny Yokobori – known for portraying Yoimiya in Genshin Impact, Kuromi in Hello Kitty and Friends, and roles in The Simpsons, Fortnite, and Ghost of Tsushima
• Katie Wetch – recognized for roles in a variety of Crunchyroll’s anime catalog, including Mio Tsuchiya in Wind Breaker

The platform’s flagship series is Granite Waves, crafted by Tezeze. The project has already garnered over 100 million views on its teasers and amassed 1 million online followers, with over 10,000 fans auditioning for voice roles. Pilot Part 1 has approached nearly 6 million views.

Natochenny voices Elya, the lead of the series — a 25-year-old mad scientist seeking a second chance at life in a town besieged by spirits hungry for the living. The world draws upon the grit and visual atmosphere of Central Asia and Slavic Central-Eastern Europe, featuring characters from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland, or Finland, moving definitively beyond familiar Western fantasy tropes.

“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how long it took to develop the world of Granite Waves — it evolves organically and accompanies you. There comes a moment when you realize that you’re carrying a significant narrative universe with you, a collection of stories and characters, and it evolves naturally, without intentionality. Even now, when I reflect on certain elements or plotlines, it occurs seamlessly— a scene unfolds in my mind, and I simply observe the events as they play out. From the outside, my creative process often appears as though I’m staring at a blank wall for hours on end,” Tezeze shared in the announcement.

“I believe that the challenge of preserving the ‘soul’ of a narrative has become acutely significant for large-scale productions. Corporations are altering and disassembling original concepts for solely monetary gain. This damages both creators and their audience.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve partnered with Ryuu; this is a studio that truly values the original ideas, the ‘soul of the project,’ and genuinely trusts its creators. Trusting a creator is vital; it allows them to invest their skills and energy wholeheartedly, leading to a project that shines.”

Every series on Ryuu is produced directly in a 9:16 vertical format, released in weekly episodes of two to three minutes, exclusively on the platform. At launch, Ryuu presents a slate of original series following a consistent weekly release pattern. Engagement within the community is enhanced by a live chat feature that enables creators to connect with fans in real-time during premieres.

The content library is designed for rapid growth; new original titles will be introduced monthly throughout 2026, with a strategic plan to escalate to multiple series launches each month in 2027. To guarantee accessibility worldwide, Ryuu provides localized pricing by region, along with comprehensive translations available from the outset.

The app is currently accessible in early access. Preorder holders gain early platform access before the Summer 2026 general launch, including early episodes and behind-the-scenes content, Granite Waves merchandise, and in-app incentives like skins and icons. A Legendary tier encompasses original series merchandise created in collaboration with creators.

Preorders are currently available at ryuu.com. The general platform launch is planned for Summer 2026.