“Leviathan” is a brand-new anime series now streaming on Netflix. The series is based on a trilogy of novels written by Scott Westerfeld (also known for the “Uglies” series) and illustrated by Keith Thompson. It is a steampunk-themed alternate universe look at the world during the era of World War I.

Temple of Geek spoke with Scott Westerfeld about the process of bringing his novels to life in the form of an anime, produced by Qubic Pictures and Studio Orange.

Scott Westerfeld’s “Leviathan” Brings Cultures Together

“Leviathan” follows Prince Alek of Austria-Hungary, who flees his home after his parents’ deaths. Alek’s homeland takes pride in being “Clankers.” “Clankers” are nations that rely on heavy machines. Alek meets “Dylan” Sharp, a young Scottish airman. Sharp is from a nation of “Beasties,” the biologically enhanced creatures that replace machines. Furthermore, they learn to embrace each other’s cultures to help end the war.

Q: How does it feel to see your novels come to life in the form of an anime?

Scott Westerfeld: The novels were illustrated, so in a funny way, the music is the biggest kick. The soaring score (Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi) makes every scene more emotional and intense. I would never have thought about the songs of Leviathan’s world (Joe Hisaishi). The books are about two cultures colliding, so it’s kind of cool to have a third culture (Japan overall, and anime specifically) adding to the mix.

Q: What sparked the inspiration for this steampunk universe? Where did Darwinists vs. Clankers come from?

Scott Westerfeld: Leviathan started with the question: What if Charles Darwin had discovered DNA, and bioengineering turned out to be a thing that Victorian science could do? That led to a world in which fabricated creatures took the place of machine, but also machines took on the characteristics of animals. So we have both airship whales and walking tanks. Sometimes cultures, like characters, are best exposited by what they are fighting against.

Q: What does your involvement look like in the adaptation process?

Scott Westerfeld: I was in the writers’ room once a week, and getting concept art, designs, animatics, and scripts. Also, Keith Thompson, the novels’ illustrator, was hired as a consultant. We both enjoyed putting in our two cents while also letting Orange and Qubic do what they do best.

Get Excited! “Leviathan” is a Fun Look at History

Q: Is there anything you are the most excited for audiences to see? Are you hoping fans of your novels are just as excited?

Scott Westerfeld: I think the fans will enjoy Bovril, the bioengineered perspicacious loris. Bovril knows all, but does not always tell.

Q: What are you hoping people take away or learn from the Leviathan series?

Scott Westerfeld: An unbelievable number of fans have written me over the years to say they passed AP History thanks to Leviathan’s WW1 timeline. If the anime can get just a few more across the line, I will be happy.