Cyrus Says Adi Shankar on Anime, Hollywood and Devil May Cry
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Mar 25, 2026 Adi Shankar, producer and showrunner behind adult animation and the Netflix Devil May Cry, reflects on a childhood across Kolkata, Hong Kong and LA that shaped his storytelling. He digs into bringing adult anime-style projects to the West, adapting video games into new screen worlds, creative control in production, and the future of animation amid shifting attention spans.
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Apu Debate As An Industry Infrastructure Problem
- Adi separates public outrage over jokes from industry-level problems; he frames Apu controversy as a B2B issue about casting and infrastructure, not only a cultural argument.
- He argues entertainment should address its own hiring and representation before lecturing audiences.
College Rebrands Launched His Creative Career
- Adi built an ad-agency-style side business at Northwestern rebranding local shops and the school turned it into a class.
- He used that experience to save a struggling comic shop and spark his transition from branding to storytelling and film.
Gap For Adult Animation In The West
- Adi Shankar saw a clear market gap for adult-oriented animation in the West because Japan already normalized mature anime.
- He felt the absence personally watching sophisticated animated shows in Hong Kong and U.S. TV, which motivated him to create adult animation content.