Is Netflix making a Splatoon show?

While rumors may swirl amongst gamers, I can definitively state that as of February 2023, Netflix has announced no plans to adapt Nintendo‘s hit Splatoon games into a television show. However, examining Splatoon‘s success and Netflix‘s own efforts in the video game adaptation space illustrates why an animated series could eventually materialize.

Splatoon Has the Pedigree of a Breakout Media Franchise

Since launching in 2015 on the Wii U, Nintendo‘s Splatoon series has sold over 13 million copies worldwide across two games, quickly becoming one of Nintendo‘s most popular new properties in years (Source: Nintendo Life). The kid-friendly multiplayer shooter takes place in a bright, stylized post-apocalyptic future where teams of transforming human/squid hybrids – Inklings and Octolings – face off to control territory.

Boasting a Metacritic score of 83 and user score of 8.5 (Source: Metacritic), the first Splatoon delivered a wholly original take on the shooter genre. Its fresh mix of ink-based action and an infectiously cute look powered strong sales of 4.9 million units along with three years of free content updates keeping fans engaged (Source: Nintendo). The franchise catapulted further into the mainstream with Splatoon 2 on Nintendo Switch in 2017, amassing 7.47 million sales to date as the console‘s marquee online experience (Source: Nintendo).

Beyond games, Splatoon has spawned manga adaptations, artbooks, live concerts, and even a themed café at Universal Studios Japan. Nintendo has a breakout multimedia brand tailor-made for expanded exploitation. The question now shifts not to "if" but "when" Splatoon jumps to animation like so many major gaming IPs before it.

Netflix Emerges as a Go-To Home for Video Game Adaptations

While talk around a theoretical Splatoon Netflix show remains speculative, the global streaming giant has aggressively ramped up development of programming based on video games in recent years. Flagship titles like The Witcher and League of Legends sparked a rise in game-inspired projects now encompassing over a dozen Netflix series spanning beloved IPs like Tomb Raider, Assassin‘s Creed, Far Cry and more (Source: What‘s on Netflix).

Sony‘s surprise hit Uncharted also scored a long-in-development film adaptation earlier this year, outgrossing expectations with $401 million worldwide (Source: Box Office Mojo). This really illustrates gaming IP‘s current Hollywood momentum. Paramount+‘s Halo brought the legendary Xbox franchise to live-action as well in 2022.

With properties like DOTA: Dragon‘s Blood (97% audience score – Source: Rotten Tomatoes), Arcane (100% critics score – Source: Rotten Tomatoes), and Castlevania enjoying critical breakouts, Netflix now houses some of streaming‘s most acclaimed gaming content. The streamer certainly has its eyes out for more titles with built-in fanbases to translate into home entertainment events. As Nintendo‘s fastest-selling new IP ever (Source: Nintendo Life), Splatoon checks all the boxes.

Imagining a Splatoon Animated Series

So while again no actual Splatoon Netflix rumors have surfaced, what could an adaptation look like? CGI animation seems like a natural route to recreate the games‘ brightly stylized aesthetics and fluid action. Series would likely follow the core bands of Inkling characters like the Squid Sisters idols Callie and Marie. These hip hosts guide players through online battles and single-player campaigns alike with musical narration.

Centering a show around their rivalry with fellow hosts Pearl and Marina from Splatoon 2‘s "Off the Hook" band allows potential to target multiple audience demographics. Nintendo could incorporate game elements like Turf War team battles, zapfish creatures, and transforming hero weapons for all-ages appeal. More teen+ oriented storylines may tackle the surprisingly sinister post-apocalypse backstory hidden within Splatoon‘s worldbuilding – how rising sea levels drove humanity to extinction, with evolved squids now dominant!

This unique mythology provides plenty of narrative depth to mine across episodic arcs. Add in crossover potential with Nintendo staples (Splatoon characters already appeared in Mario Kart 8) and you have ingredients for a social media-propelled hit that builds Nintendo‘s multimedia plans beyond games and strengthens their relationships with platforms like Netflix.

When Could a Splatoon Netflix Series Premiere?

While any negotiations around a Splatoon adaptation likely remain in very early stages, hypothetically when could it release? Netflix has shown willingness to debut gaming-inspired shows swiftly, with only 2-3 years separating many projects‘ announcements from streaming premieres.

Splatoon 3 launches for Nintendo Switch in 2024 – if Netflix secured rights to the property soon after, one might realistically expect a finished series ready by late 2024 or 2025. This gives adequate production time while allowing Netflix to capitalize on anticipation from Splatoon 3 and a white-hot IP. Of course, final seasons of hits like Stranger Things opening up streaming real estate also incentivize Netflix expediating new originals based on popular brands.

I personally suspect official word around Netflix adapting the Splatoon franchise inevitable within the next year or two as momentum around both video game adaptations and Nintendo IP continues escalating. Which network or streaming service ultimately lands the coveted property comes down to bidding wars and backend negotiation details. But with youth-skewing games like Minecraft and Angry Birds already receiving their own expanded universes of cartoons, books, toys etc, Splatoon seems destined to make that leap before long.