Get Jiro! Animated Series Has Premiered
The show is based on the 2012 graphic novel co-written by the late Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Japanese Food
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An animated series adaptation of the graphic novel Get Jiro! debuted this month on Adult Swim and HBO Max. The production comes from Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios.
Why it matters
The creators sought to develop an adaptation that Anthony Bourdain would have approved of. The project aims to honor the spirit of the original source material while expanding the story for a new format.
Alessandro Tanaka, who has a 15-year career in writing and production, leads the series alongside Brian Gatewood. The project is directed by Rick Morales with executive production by Jordan Blum.
The players
Anthony Bourdain
He was a celebrated chef, author, and television personality who co-wrote the original Get Jiro! graphic novel.
Joel Rose
He is an accomplished author who served as the co-writer for the Get Jiro! graphic novel.
Alessandro Tanaka
He is an experienced writer and producer serving as a showrunner for the new animated series.
Brian Gatewood
He serves as a showrunner for the series alongside Alessandro Tanaka.
Rick Morales
He is the series director responsible for overseeing the visual production of the project.
The details
The production team utilized detailed whiteboards to choreograph camera paths for long continuous shots, integrating visual cues from traditional Japanese samurai and yakuza cinema. Set across locations including Los Angeles and Tokyo, the animation builds on the world established in the 2012 graphic novel.
Timeline
The original Get Jiro! graphic novel was published in 2012.
Anthony Bourdain passed away in 2018.
The series premiered on Adult Swim on October 3, 2026.
The series became available on HBO Max on October 4, 2026.
Culture Shift
The transition of this property from a graphic novel to an animated series reflects a broader trend of prestige graphic novels being adapted for adult-oriented streaming platforms. This movement continues the shift toward visual storytelling that leverages established cult-classic narratives to capture modern audiences.
Viewers can access the new series through existing subscriptions to Adult Swim or HBO Max. The show is designed to appeal to both long-time fans of the original graphic novel and those new to the series narrative.
The takeaway
The creators have outlined a roadmap for potential future seasons based on how well the show performs. Fans can revisit the original 2012 graphic novel to see how the source material compares to the new animated version.
Further reading
Learn more about the culinary influences behind the story in our Japanese Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cartoon Brew.
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