MAPPA’s animation label CONTRAIL has released a new animated brand film for NAMICS to celebrate the Niigata-based company’s 80th anniversary. Titled Sono Kagaku wa, Subete ni Ai o Tsunagu, the original short tells a heartfelt story while showcasing the company’s long history.
The collaboration also reflects a growing trend in Japan, where anime studios are creating original animated films for brands that focus on meaningful storytelling instead of traditional commercials.
A Short Film About Human and Robot Connection
The new animated film tells the story of a man and his robot companion, highlighting themes of trust, kindness, and the connection between science and people. The story reflects NAMICS’ values while presenting them through an emotional and easy-to-follow narrative.
The short was storyboarded and directed by Masatsugu Nagasoe, who also created the original character designs. Tatsuo Ryuno, known for Showa Monogatari, served as the character designer, while Yuji Kaneko, whose previous work includes Tengoku-Daimakyo and L’étoile de Paris en Fleur, handled the background art direction.
The project was produced under the supervision of MAPPA president Manabu Otsuka, bringing together experienced creators to deliver a polished animated film for the company’s 80th anniversary.
Another Major Brand Collaboration
The NAMICS anniversary film is not CONTRAIL’s first commercial project. Earlier this year, the label produced an animated commercial for Marukome titled Watashi no Obaa-chan-hen and created the promotional short Fukufuku no Chizu for Fukushima Prefecture.
These collaborations show how Japanese animation studios are increasingly working with companies and public organizations to create emotionally driven stories instead of traditional advertisements. The approach helps brands connect with audiences through memorable characters and animation. For CONTRAIL, these projects provide opportunities to work on original ideas while expanding its portfolio beyond entertainment-focused productions.
