A New Chapter for RWBY
During its panel at Anime Expo 2026, Viz Media officially announced that the 10th volume of the popular animated series RWBY has been greenlit. This confirmation marks a significant milestone for the franchise, which has been in a state of uncertainty following the closure of its original studio, Rooster Teeth, in 2024.
Viz Media, which acquired the rights to RWBY in July 2024, unveiled a trailer featuring the show’s primary voice cast and showrunner Kerry Shawcross. The announcement signals the company’s commitment to continuing the story of Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang, who have been central to the series since its debut in 2013.
Institutional Context and Franchise Legacy
The original web series, created by the late Monty Oum, spanned nine volumes and 117 episodes before production halted. The franchise has since expanded into a vast ecosystem of media, including the RWBY: Ice Queendom television anime, various manga adaptations, and crossover projects like the Justice League x RWBY films. According to data released by Viz Media, the franchise has accumulated over 350 million global views, with individual episodes averaging more than 7 million views.
The production of Volume 10 follows a turbulent period for the IP. In March 2024, Rooster Teeth shuttered after 21 years of operation, citing fundamental shifts in digital media monetization and advertising. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company at the time, sought to offload the IP, leading to the acquisition by Viz Media. With this greenlight, Viz Media aims to leverage the established fanbase to revitalize the series and continue its expansion across digital platforms and consumer products.