The team behind the upcoming original theatrical anime KILLTUBE made a strong impression at the 50th Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where the project was showcased during the prestigious Work in Progress (WIP) program on June 26. The presentation marked the first time footage and production stills from the film were publicly revealed, giving attendees an early look at the anime’s unique “Edo-punk” world and high-energy action.
According to the production team, nearly 300 attendees packed the session in Annecy, France, with the audience responding enthusiastically to the latest footage. Cheers reportedly erupted during the screening, and the presentation concluded with attendees chanting “KILLTUBE” before lining up for autographs from the creators. The positive reception comes as the film continues production ahead of its planned Japanese theatrical debut, followed by releases in France, North America, and a wider global rollout beginning in 2027.
New footage showcases KILLTUBE’s distinctive Edo-punk world
During the Annecy presentation, Director Kazuaki Kuribayashi, Concept Art Director Fujihiko Sawai, Screenwriter Ryo Takebayashi, and Producer Kayane Fujimura introduced the project to animation professionals from around the world.
Among the newly revealed material were scenes featuring the main cast walking through the film’s version of Shibuya, along with an intense duel sequence that highlights the anime’s action-focused storytelling. The production also showcased dynamic 3DCG animation, giving audiences a better understanding of the film’s visual direction.
One of the biggest talking points was KILLTUBE’s original “Edo-punk” aesthetic. Instead of following traditional cyberpunk influences, the creative team blends the colors of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Japanese lanterns, and modern street culture to create a setting unlike other sci-fi anime.
Director Kuribayashi described the project as more than just another animated film.
“KILLTUBE is not simply a film, but an experimental ground for original animated content creation,”
he explained during the presentation, emphasizing the team’s willingness to document its creative process and push new storytelling techniques.
Creators share vision as global release moves forward
Following the session, Kuribayashi reflected on the overwhelming audience response.
“This was my first-ever Work in Progress, and everything we shared was something the world had never seen before. The response far exceeded anything I could have imagined, and it gave me real courage. We’re pushing every last idea and creative experiment to the absolute limit so audiences can look into a world unlike anything they’ve experienced.”
Concept Art Director Fujihiko Sawai also highlighted the importance of sharing the film’s visual identity with an international audience.
“Every ounce of the team’s passion and ideas has been poured into the concept art. I’m confident we’ve created a world that is genuinely unlike anything else out there.”
Set in an alternate world where the Edo period never ended, KILLTUBE follows Musashi, a boy raised by dogs, who enters the government-run duel streaming platform known as KILLTUBE alongside producer Kikuchiyo and inventor Leo. In this rigid society, citizens are assigned social status at birth, and only victory in deadly streamed battles offers a path to freedom.
Produced by CHOCOLATE Inc. and STUDIO DOTOU, the approximately 90-minute theatrical anime is currently scheduled for completion in 2026 before beginning its worldwide release strategy.
