Kasagi Labo Unveils New Ninja Scroll Project, Living in a World Without Magic Feature
Kasagi Labo's announcements highlight its 'Open Pitch' model, which uses fan feedback and crowdfunding to finance original anime, a departure from the traditional production committee system.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, Cartoon Brew.
Singapore-based anime venture studio Kasagi Labo announced multiple projects during its MIFA presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 24. The company unveiled a new film connected to the Ninja Scroll franchise, with Masao Maruyama, producer of the original 1993 film and co-founder of Madhouse and MAPPA, serving as special creative advisor. Kasagi Labo also announced a theatrical feature adaptation of the viral YouTube short Living in a World Without Magic, which has amassed over six million views. The screenplay is by Michiko Yokote, known for Cowboy Bebop, Bleach, and Shirobako. Two additional projects were revealed: Casshan 2045, a reimagining of Tatsunoko Production's 1973 classic with character designs by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, and Ars Gratia, an original sci-fi feature from director Ilya Kuvshinov developed with Good Smile Company and Liden Films. The company also provided production updates on its feature GATE 2 and the original sci-fi series Special Kid Factory, from talent behind ID: Invaded. Kasagi Labo is using its AnimeOshi platform to gather fan feedback and crowdfunding through an 'Open Pitch' model, which it presented as an alternative to the traditional production committee system.
Singapore-based anime venture studio Kasagi Labo made a series of announcements during its MIFA presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 24. The company unveiled three new projects and provided updates on two others, all under its 'Open Pitch' development model that uses the AnimeOshi platform to gather audience feedback and crowdfunding. The announcements were made alongside special creative advisor Masao Maruyama, co-founder of Madhouse and MAPPA, who produced the original Ninja Scroll film. Chief Production Officer Tony Izumi and industry veteran Jerome Mazandarani also participated in the panel.
The company's strategy focuses on creating opportunities for original anime productions by allowing studios and creators to retain ownership and upside, with fan interest measured through the AnimeOshi platform, which has already attracted over 15,000 supporters around the Living in a World Without Magic project.
- Ninja Scroll (new film): New project connected to the franchise, with Masao Maruyama as special creative advisor.
- Living in a World Without Magic: Theatrical feature adaptation of the viral YouTube short, screenplay by Michiko Yokote.
- Casshan 2045: Reimagining of Tatsunoko Production's 1973 classic, with character designs by Yoshitaka Amano.
- Ars Gratia: Original sci-fi feature from director Ilya Kuvshinov, in partnership with Good Smile Company and Liden Films.
- GATE 2: Production update on the feature.
- Special Kid Factory: Original sci-fi series from talent behind ID: Invaded.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.