What is Killtube? Is it something like YouTube only people die on it? Actually….that’s exactly what it is. It’s also the title of a new feature anime film coming from CHOCOLATE Inc, who describes the vibe of their creation as “Edo-punk.”
If you don’t know your Japanese history. the Edo era was a harsh period full of power struggles, danger and murder. Edo-punk, in this case, is “a dystopian 2026 where outcasts enter mortal combat on a deadly duel streaming platform in a fight for fame and survival.” 2026 is also the year the movie is projected to be completed — at a budget of one billion yen, it should look nice.
The Killtube panel at Anime Expo was led by director Kazuaki Kuribayashi and animation producer Fuuko Noda. The audience was first shown a never-before-seen trailer showcasing in-development footage, which was released online shortly afterward (scroll below to find it).
Noda described the animation process of Killtube as a hybrid of past and present, combining 2D, 3D and traditional hand-drawn animation. ”We’re experimenting with a hybrid look that pulls the best from both worlds, and even adding elements inspired by Edo-period art,” says Noda. “It’s creating a style that’s uniquely Japanese.” Noda remarked. “I believe that this kind of creative freedom leads to surprises you could never get if everything were fully planned from the start.”
Kuribayashi has pretty lofty goals for Killtube — he says it was born out of the ambition to shake up the anime film industry. “Killtube is a project that will change the history of anime,” he claims. “It’s something that could only be born in Japan, an entirely new stage for animation. Please look forward to it!” Okay then!
The pair then revealed the Japanese voice cast: Yui Tsukada stars as protagonist Musashi, Kengo Kawanishi plays sneaky con-artist Kikuchiyo (this is her first lead role), and Ayane Sakura voices the genius inventor Leonardo, who believes she’s the reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci.
If you’d like to help the Killtube project before it’s done, the “KILLTUBE BACKERS’ STORE” is now open: it’s sort of like a crowdfunding campaign except there’s no real time limit. Supporters can purchase a poster featuring themselves drawn as a background character, get their name in the credits, and even, with enough cash, get to appear in the film.
Killtube will be released next year in Japan.
