All 10 episodes of Golden Axe premiere Wednesday, Sept. 16, exclusively on Paramount+. Sharpen those blades! SEGA’s classic Golden Axe franchise is making the jump from arcade game to streaming with a new animated action-comedy series.
The series reunites legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead for another battle against the evil Death Adder, but this time they have an inexperienced would-be hero named Hampton Squib tagging along. Golden Axe is a comedic homage to SEGA’s 1989 arcade video game. The show’s creators are Mike McMahan (Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Joe Chandler, and its voice cast includes Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay) and Danny Pudi (Community).
We’ve got all the info you need to prepare for the epic adventure that awaits, including how the show connects to the games, when to watch and stream the show, the official cast list and trailer, and lots more.
Key facts
- Premiere date: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026
- Where to Watch: Paramount+
- Episodes: 10
- Release cadence: All 10 episodes premiere at once
- Genre: animated fantasy action-comedy
- Based on: SEGA’s Golden Axe video-game franchise, which began with the 1989 arcade game of the same name
- Creators: Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler
When does it premiere?
All 10 episodes of Golden Axe premiere Wednesday, Sept. 16, exclusively on Paramount+. The full season is launching at once rather than episodes rolling out weekly. The project was originally announced in 2024 as a Comedy Central series before moving to Paramount+ for its 2026 debut.
What is the series about?
In Golden Axe, legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead reunite to save the land of Yuria from Death Adder, the evil giant who refuses to stay dead. Their quest becomes considerably more complicated when they are joined by Hampton Squib, an inexperienced and wildly underprepared adventurer whose ambitions are much greater than his abilities. These very different adventurers must work together despite their flaws to stop Death Adder.
The animated series is a humorous homage to the Golden Axe games that combines sword-and-sorcery adventure, fantasy action, and comedy.
How does it connect to the games?
Golden Axe is based on the SEGA fantasy beat-’em-up video-game franchise that began in arcades in 1989. Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead are the established heroes in the games, while Death Adder is the franchise’s iconic villain. Chronos “Evil” Lait is a character in Golden Axe III. Hampton Squib is a new character created for the animated series. He’s a newcomer alongside the veteran heroes.
The Golden Axe trailer and early coverage indicate that the adaptation incorporates recognizable game creatures, enemies, and other visual callbacks. The adaptation is intended to reward existing fans while still giving newcomers a clear entry point.
Who is in the voice cast?
Below is the main ensemble cast of Golden Axe:
Matthew Rhys as Gilius Thunderhead
Gilius – voiced by Matthew Rhys – is a grumpy battle dwarf with questionable hygiene and a sizable chip on his shoulder. He is one of the returning legendary warriors from the Golden Axe games.
Where you’ve seen him: The Americans, Widow’s Bay, Perry Mason
Danny Pudi as Hampton Squib
Hampton – voiced by Danni Pudi – is a naive, inexperienced first-time adventurer who has dreamed about going on a heroic quest his entire life. Hampton is a new character created for the animated adaptation.
Where you’ve seen him: Community, Mythic Quest
Lisa Gilroy as Tyris Flare
Tyris – voiced by Lisa Gilroy – is a formidable battle sorceress, dangerous in combat and armed with an equally sharp wit. She is one of the franchise’s returning heroes.
Where you’ve seen her: Jury Duty, Interior Chinatown
Liam McIntyre as Ax Battler
Ax – voiced by Liam McIntyre – is a barbarian warrior governed by a strict code of honor, contrasted with a surprisingly sweet personality. Ax is another returning hero from the Golden Axe games. Marvel fans will hear McIntyre’s voice via PlayStation soon, as he is voicing Wolverine in the new Marvel’s Wolverine game releasing on Sept. 15.
Where you’ve seen him: Spartacus, The Flash
Carl Tart as Chronos “Evil” Lait
Chronos – voiced by Carl Tart – is a humanoid panther who sees himself as exceptionally tough, even if his personality doesn’t always support that self-image. The character originated in the game Golden Axe III.
Where you’ve seen him: Grand Crew, Star Trek: Lower Decks
Who created the series?
Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler co-created Golden Axe, co-wrote the first episode, and serve as executive producers. Chandler serves as showrunner. McMahan is known for Star Trek: Lower Decks and Solar Opposites, while Chandler has worked on American Dad!. Titmouse is the animation studio.
The show is produced by CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Studios’ animation arm; Sony Pictures Television; and Original Film. Golden Axe game producer SEGA is directly involved with the show as well. SEGA executives Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi and Toru Nakahara are among its executive producers.
Watch the trailer
The official Golden Axe trailer was released Aug. 20. It gives viewers their first look at the show’s combination of fantasy combat, game-inspired creatures, and irreverent comedy. The trailer also introduces the show’s central adventuring party and showcases how the series is translating the arcade franchise’s world into animation. Plus, it’s packed with Easter eggs for longtime Golden Axe fans!
See the first-look images
Check out the official key art and first-look imagery from Golden Axe Season 1 below.
Why this adaptation stands out
Golden Axe offers a combination of retro gaming nostalgia and contemporary adult animation in a fantasy comedy. The show draws from a video game franchise that dates back to 1989 while putting recognizable characters into a comedic ensemble format.
The show’s creators Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler have quite the comedic pedigree, having crafted hit animated series like Star Trek: Lower Decks, Solar Opposites and American Dad! Plus, Golden Axe’s mix of established game heroes and hapless newcomer Hampton Squib makes for a story that can be enjoyed by all viewers.
Watch Golden Axe on Paramount+
All 10 episodes of Golden Axe premiere Wednesday, Sept. 16 exclusively on Paramount+. Both longtime SEGA fans and newcomers can enter Yuria with Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, Gilius Thunderhead, and their less-than-qualified new companion Hampton Squib.
FAQ
Is Golden Axe based on the video game?
Yes, Golden Axe is an adaptation/homage to SEGA’s Golden Axe video game franchise, which began with the 1989 arcade game. The show features familiar game characters like Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead.
Is Golden Axe for adults?
Golden Axe is an action-comedy series that’s rated M-14, which means its content may be unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.
Do you need to play the Golden Axe games first?
No. Based on what has been revealed thus far, no prior knowledge of the Golden Axe games is required before watching the show. Though longtime fans will recognize characters, creatures and references from the games, the adaptation presents a new character, Hampton Squib, alongside the established heroes.
