Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of Akira, has opened a new feature animation studio called Oval Gear in Tokyo, which is already producing its first film. The Akira franchise itself has no new direct announcements, but continues to be referenced in other media, such as a recent music video by MNNK Bro.
Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of the manga and film Akira, has established a new animation studio in Tokyo called Oval Gear. The studio is focused on feature-length films and has already begun production on its first project. This is Otomo's first official update on his feature animation plans since the 2019 reveal of the sci-fi film Orbital Era, which may now be in production at Oval Gear. The studio is actively hiring animators and production staff, indicating a long-term production base rather than a one-off project. Otomo's last full-length directorial work was Steamboy in 2004.
While the Akira franchise itself has not seen new direct announcements, it continues to be referenced in other media. The music unit MNNK Bro., formed by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and rapper JP THE WAVY, released the single 'SHUTOKO TOKYO' on May 22. The song's music video, directed by the New York duo BRTHR, explicitly connects the Shuto Expressway with the world of Otomo's manga Akira, continuing Murakami's project of blending hip-hop, contemporary art, and Japanese youth culture.
Separately, the manga artist Akira, who shares a name with Otomo's work but is a different creator, is currently drawing the manga adaptation of the web novel The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride is My First Love?! for Square Enix's Manga UP! platform. That series began in March 2025 and its third collected volume shipped in Japan on April 7. The English simulpub launched on Manga UP! Global on May 16.
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The unit formed by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and rapper JP THE WAVY released their fourth single 'SHUTOKO TOKYO' on May 22. The music video, directed by New York duo BRTHR, connects the Shuto Expressway with the world of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga 'AKIRA.'
Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of Akira, launched a new Tokyo-based animation studio called Oval Gear. The studio is already producing its first feature film. The announcement is the first official word on Otomo's projects since the 2019 reveal of the sci-fi film Orbital Era, which may now be in production at Oval Gear.
Square Enix's Manga UP! Global service added an English simulpub of The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride is My First Love?! on Wednesday. The series adapts Aoi's web novel of the same name, with art by Akira. The story follows Kanae Yano, a 28-year-old woman summoned to another world. A duke and his daughter, who looks identical to Kanae, ask her to act as a body double and marry King Eugene Eistalotte, a ruler known as the Cold-Hearted Wolf. Unable to return home, Kanae agrees. When she meets the king, she discovers his true identity, setting up a fantasy romance about reuniting with a first love. Akira began the manga on Square Enix's Japanese Manga UP! platform in March 2025. The third collected volume shipped in Japan on April 7. Aoi first published the web novel on the TellerNovel platform in October 2021. The Fandom Post notes Aoi has nine works to their name since debuting in 2007, while Akira has seven works since 2020.
Director and manga artist Katsuhiro Ōtomo has founded a new animation studio called Oval Gear. The studio will focus on feature-length work. Its first project is already in production. The company is hiring animators and production staff as it builds out its team. Ōtomo is best known for the 1988 film Akira, which he directed and wrote based on his own manga. His other directing credits include the anthology Memories, the steampunk feature Steamboy, and the science-fiction story Roujin Z. He also contributed to Perfect Blue, the psychological thriller directed by the late Satoshi Kon. The formation of Oval Gear marks a return to feature animation for Ōtomo, whose last full-length directorial work was Steamboy in 2004. The studio name and its immediate hiring push suggest a permanent production base rather than a one-off project team. No release window or title for the first film has been shared.