First Trailer Released for Golden Axe Animated Series on Paramount Plus

The first trailer for the animated television series adaptation of Sega's classic franchise Golden Axe has officially been released. Co-created by Mike McMahan (creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Joe Chandler (American Dad), the fantasy-themed action-comedy series offers a silly, bloody, and action-packed romp through medieval times that pays direct homage to the classic 1989 side-scrolling video game.

Initially greenlit in 2024 by Comedy Central as a 10-episode order, the project has undergone some distribution changes behind the scenes. Paramount has taken over distribution for the series, which is now scheduled to premiere on Paramount Plus on September 16, 2026.

The animated adaptation features a prominent voice cast bringing the iconic video game characters to life. Liam McIntyre voices the barbarian warrior Ax Battler, Lisa Gilroy plays Tyris Flare, and Matthew Rhys portrays the dwarf Gilius Thunderhead. Together, these legendary warriors must reunite to save the mythical land of Yuria from the recurring threat of the evil giant Death Adder.

Their heroic quest is complicated by a new addition to the group, Hampton Squib (voiced by Danny Pudi), an inexperienced and wildly underprepared adventurer whose dreams of heroism far outmatch his actual abilities. Additionally, Carl Tart provides the voice for a humanoid panther named Chronos "Evil" Lait. Forced to work past their personal flaws, this unlikely group must find a way to stop Death Adder once and for all.

Behind the scenes, Joe Chandler serves as the project's showrunner. The series is animated by Titmouse, with production handled by CBS Eye Animation alongside Sony Pictures Television and Original Film. Sega's corporate leadership is also heavily involved; Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. president and CEO Haruki Satomi, Sega Corporation president and COO Shuji Utsumi, and Sega’s Toru Nakahara are all serving as executive producers on the show.

The original Golden Axe beat 'em up was released by Sega in 1989 as an arcade title before being ported to the Sega Genesis, where players chose between Ax, Tyris, or Gilius to battle through fantasy landscapes and save Yuria.