Japanese manufacturing company CHOCOLATE Inc. has released a 1-minute pilot for its upcoming experimental anime film project KILLTUBE. The 90-minute film is expected to be released worldwide in spring 2026.
The experimental film is based on the theme of “Edo punk” and introduces Tokyo's Shibuya and Shinjuku districts in a parallel world, where the Edo Shogunate has occupied Japan for more than four centuries until 2026. Team The production team will use 3D CG animation to simulate the look of Showa period woodblock prints with bright colors and rich textures. The film had a reported budget of 1 billion yen (US$6.5 million).
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Kazuaki Kuribayashi (Kizumonogatari trilogy web production assistant) will direct and plan the anime film at STUDIO DOTOU. VFX studio Kassen and artist collective Wachajack are also credited as co-creators on the film.
The film's entire production staff is listed in the pilot including:
• Writers: Saeri Matsuo, Ryo Takemura, Takenori Tokuyama • World setting: Yusuke Ujita • Technical direction: CAVIAR's Takumi Shiga, Masato Goto, Bivi, Frog96, Marusou • Character design/Technical direction: Nike Shimaguchi • Technical Direction/VFX Supervisor: Kassen's Takahiro Ota • Music Director: Matsuza Katakumi • Music Composition: Takao Ogi • Concept Art Director: Wachajack's Fujihiko Sawai • Concept Artist: Shusei Sasaya • Character setting: AruFa • Graphic designer: Masataka Yoshida • Art director: Takuya Sekikawa • CG animation lead: Daisuke Kaneko of StudioNoco • CG supervisor: Yūki Mizoguchi • CG animation supervisor : Satoshi Takeno of MontBlanc Pictures • Background modeling supervisor: Barehand's Jun Kazuse • CG effects supervisor: Tai Komatsu • Technical artist: Hiroyuki Okada • CG producer: Nanao Nakatsuka
KILLTUBE will be CHOCOLATE Inc's first animated feature as part of its “108 Experiments” initiative to develop new ways to “create works, showcase them, and earn revenue to nurture Origin stories.” The company previously handled the production and promotion of the animated television series Dark Gathering, as well as planning the Total Concentration exhibition of Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Concept images of the film's locations in Shibuya and Shinjuku were also posted on KILLTUBE's Twitter account earlier this week.
2026 江戸時代/Shibuya + Shinjuku#KILLTUBE pic.twitter.com/eN5WgFkCef
— KILLTUBE Official (@KILLTUBEJP) April 10, 2024
2026江戸時代/渋谷#KILLTUBE pic.twitter.com/LHBusDb4Eu
— KILLTUBE official (@KILLTUBEJP) April 9, 2024
The official synopsis of the film is described as follows:
In 2026, Japan continues to develop in isolation under the Edo Shogunate. Amid a strict social hierarchy, three individuals, considered the dregs of society, cross paths in a fateful prison cell for a fateful encounter. They join the dueling video platform “KILLTUBE” to pursue their fortune and win freedom in a racist world.
In an era known as the “Age of Great Duels,” where people could amass enormous wealth simply by defeating the strong, they faced discrimination. from samurai and merchants seeking power and authority. As they broke the limits of convention and racked up victory after victory, they grew in popularity, becoming the celebrated celebrities of their time.
However, just as they reach the peak of their fame, they discover the hidden truth behind “KILLTUBE”…
Source: PR Times, Anime News Network, KILLTUBE's official Twitter