The original anime film GROTESQQQUE is shaping up to be one of CloverWorks’ most experimental productions yet. Created by Atsushi Nishigori, best known for DARLING in the FRANXX and his work on Evangelion, the anthology brings together three standalone stories that embrace different visual styles, emotional tones, and musical identities while remaining connected under a single creative vision.
Rather than adapting an existing manga or novel, GROTESQQQUE began as an invitation from CloverWorks. That opportunity allowed Nishigori to step away from the structured productions he had worked on throughout his career and create something driven almost entirely by his own artistic instincts.
In a video interview with OtakuKart, Nishigori reflected on the freedom behind the project, the inspiration for its three unconventional heroines, the challenge of matching more than 35 artists’ music to the animation, and why he wanted every episode to feel as though it came from a completely different studio.
OtakuKart: GROTESQQQUE started as an invitation from CloverWorks rather than a story you had been developing. What went through your mind when you realized you could create this anime?
Atsushi Nishigori: So far, I’ve always been working on robot stories where everything was already well structured. Even when I was working on Evangelion, there was a proper budget and the story had a solid framework. I was in an environment where I needed to create properly structured films. This project, however, was centered much more around doing something that I personally wanted to create. I had far more freedom. It felt like my own little treat—my little dessert—where I could finally make what I truly wanted.
OtakuKart: The anthology follows three girls that society views as unusual. Was that shared theme intentional from the beginning?
Atsushi Nishigori: While creating the three stories, I wasn’t only thinking about the protagonists. I spent even more time considering the supporting characters and people who exist on the margins of society. I wanted to explore how those characters contribute to the world-building and how their distance from the main story could create something meaningful. I was interested in how different kinds of people become involved in those worlds.
OtakuKart: The soundtrack features more than 35 artists. Did any particular song change how you approached a scene?
Atsushi Nishigori: Visuals were always the first priority, and then we asked the musicians to create songs that matched what we had already animated, almost like scoring a live-action film. At the same time, music became equally important because we constantly worked with the music team to find the right emotional rhythm. We even rearranged songs several times until everything felt right.
OtakuKart: Was there a specific moment where changing the music made a major difference?
Atsushi Nishigori: The ending of Nocturne was probably the biggest example. That sequence carries both hopeful and painful emotions at the same time. We wanted to stay right on the edge between those feelings. Some songs leaned too heavily toward sadness, so we searched for music that restored more balance. Every person interprets emotion differently, so finding that perfect combination was difficult, but it also became one of the most rewarding parts of production.
OtakuKart: Each episode feels visually unique. What was the most enjoyable part of changing artistic styles within one project?
Atsushi Nishigori: Whenever I animate, I have countless ideas—from comedy to action—and I wanted audiences to enjoy every moment without becoming bored. That’s why every chapter was intentionally designed with its own artistic identity. We changed everything, from character designs to backgrounds, so it almost feels like three different studios worked on the anthology. I think that was only possible because of everything I’ve learned throughout my career.
OtakuKart: GROTESQQQUE will premiere internationally before opening in Japan. What do you hope audiences feel when they leave the theater?
Atsushi Nishigori: The film has many fun, emotional, and uplifting moments. Watching it with a large audience felt almost like attending a festival where everyone could laugh and experience those emotions together. Seeing people enjoy anime that way gave me a very positive impression, and I hope audiences leave the theater feeling that same shared excitement.
OtakuKart: Out of Alien, Yoroshiku★Shoujo, and Nocturne, do you have a personal favorite?
Atsushi Nishigori: No parent would rank their own children. I created these three stories together, so I love them equally. I hope viewers will come to love all three in the same way.
GROTESQQQUE is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on November 6, 2026. The anthology consists of three standalone stories—Aliens, Yoroshiku★Shoujo, and Nocturne: On This Grotesque Night—with Nishigori serving as the overall creator and director alongside CloverWorks.
The project also features an extensive soundtrack with music from more than 35 artists, including METALVERSE, ASCA, Reol, TAKU INOUE, and several others, further reinforcing its goal of giving each story its own distinctive identity.
