As RWBY Volume 9 marks one of the largest delays in the animated series' history, RWBY: Ice Queendom is going to come out very soon. But what will the forthcoming fantasy anime entail? Will it be a different story? Or will RWBY: Ice Queendom be a reboot of the animated series by Rooster Teeth?
About RWBY: Ice Queendom
Much like the original anime-style science fantasy show by Rooster Teeth, RWBY: Ice Queendom will take place in Remnant, a world that has lost its magic and is infested by monsters who attack wherever there's an excess of negative emotions.
The world's safety rests on the shoulders of Hunters and Huntresses who possess a semblance of magic and train in specialized academies until they are ready to deal with monsters.
RWBY: Ice Queendom will follow the same cast of main characters; Ruby Rose, an exceptionally gifted huntress in training; and her team; her half-sister young and friends Weiss and Blake. But where does the new studio Shaft anime stand where the original animated series is concerned?
Is RWBY: Ice Queendom a Reboot?
Since the trailer of RWBY: Ice Queendom seems to focus on Ruby's first days at Beacon Academy and her initial rivalry with Weiss, it's fair to assume that the show is a reboot. However, a Rooster Teeth staff member confirmed that this isn't the case:
Related: RWBY Volume 9 Theories and Predictions
He went on to explain that the first two episodes of RWBY: Ice Queendom will be a recap of Volumes 1 and 2 but the characters will then embark on different adventures. This means that we can expect new settings and characters, though, of course, characters we know and love will also be there.
Technically, RWBY: Ice Queendom won't be part of the main canon, but nor will it be opposed to it.
We need to wait for it to come out in order to fully make up our minds, but, for now, it seems that the new anime is going to be a new adventure - set early on in Ruby's story - that won't contradict the canon, even if it isn't exactly part of it.
It will definitely be something interesting to check out until RWBY Volume 9 comes out.