Anime Series ‘Sentinel 6’ Lands NBA and NFL Heavyweights as Executive Producers

When you hear the words “NBA star” and “anime” in the same sentence, you might raise an eyebrow. Yet that’s exactly what’s happening with the upcoming series Sentinel 6, an Afro‑futurist sci‑fi adventure that’s now being shepherded by pro‑athletes Michael Carter‑Williams and Jamaal Williams.

The show was originally dreamed up in 2019 by Pat Stout, a Jamaican‑American writer, and the late Asa Palmer of Bronx roots. Together they founded the boutique studio Sable Kudzu, hoping to build a world that felt both wildly escapist and oddly familiar to under‑represented audiences.

Set in the year 2429—roughly four centuries after Earth’s Great Phoenix War—a near‑extinction event that ripped the planet apart, Sentinel 6 follows six young “sentinels”—three men and three women—who embody the mind, heart, sword and shield of a shared, ancient power. The story spirals from xenophobic tensions to an intergalactic terrorist who unintentionally awakens this collective force.

What makes the project stand out isn’t just its premise; it’s the roster of talent now attached. LeSean Thomas—known for his work on Bass x Machina, Yasuke and The Boondocks—penned the pilot and serves as a consulting producer. Influencer King Vader lends his voice to one of the characters, adding a pop‑culture flavor that fans will recognize.

On the athletic side, Carter‑Williams (NBA Rookie of the Year, former 76er) and Jamaal Williams (veteran NFL running back for the Packers and Saints) didn’t just sign on for a name‑check. After Palmer’s untimely passing in 2025, the two athletes fully funded the pilot and invested personally in the indie series. Their involvement helped the team secure a partnership with Creative Freaks, the studio that won the animation bid after a two‑dozen‑studio vetting process.

Back in 2024, Sentinel 6 ran a modest Kickstarter, pulling in just under $20,000. That seed money produced a trailer crafted by the Bulgarian‑German outfit Chase A Cloud Studio, which in turn attracted the sports stars’ interest and led to the current wave of financing.

Stout explains the motivation behind the series: “We wanted a world that felt like it could be ours, yet still let us escape. Growing up, Black kids were told anime wasn’t for us, that we wouldn’t see ourselves on screen. That changed with the rise of the ‘Blerd’ community, but the representation gap remains.”

Both Carter‑Williams and Williams echo that sentiment. “Seeing yourself as a hero matters,” Carter‑Williams said. “I want Black kids to watch this and feel like they belong in any universe, even one full of interstellar warfare.”

When it finally launches, the series is slated for 11‑12 half‑hour episodes, each packed with high‑octane action, mature themes and a visual style that blends classic anime aesthetics with fresh Afro‑futurist flair. It’s a bold bet on representation, a nod to nostalgic influences like Static Shock and Samurai Jack, and a testament to how cross‑industry collaborations can breathe new life into storytelling.

For fans of sci‑fi, anime, or anyone who believes the next great adventure might just come from a partnership between a basketball court, a football field, and a sketchbook, Sentinel 6 is a project worth keeping an eye on.