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Monkey Quest

Toei Animation's hybrid 2D-3D film Monkey Quest is in post-production with a 2027 release target, following the studio's public shift toward international production.

Synthesized from 2 Yomimono stories · updated Jun 28

Toei Animation is developing its first hybrid 2D-3D feature, Monkey Quest, which was presented at the Annecy Festival. Studio SANZIGEN is handling the 3D animation. The film follows a girl and her brother who free a forgotten protector of Earth. The cast includes Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, and J.K. Simmons. The project brings together an international crew that includes Sonic the Hedgehog designer Naoto Oshima and Shrek 2 writer David N. Weiss.

The film's development follows a broader strategic statement from Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke, who told Variety at Cannes that the era of anime being made only by Japanese people is over. Asama said the studio aims to create works rooted in local cultures with creators worldwide. The remark from a foundational studio executive signals a potential shift in the industry's self-definition.

Monkey Quest is in post-production and aiming for a 2027 release. No specific release date has been announced.

Key facts

Format
2D-3D hybrid animated film
3D animation studio
Studio SANZIGEN
Key staff
Naoto Oshima (Sonic the Hedgehog designer) and David N. Weiss (Shrek 2 writer) are involved
Cast
Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, J.K. Simmons
Production status
In post-production
Target release window
2027
Executive statement
Toei Animation GM Asama Yosuke said anime is no longer exclusively Japanese in origin

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
movie · 2027 · 2026-06-27

Connections

Produces of
toei animation

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/monkey-quest. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

Jun 27

Toei Animation Details 2D-3D Hybrid Film Monkey Quest for 2027

Toei Animation presented its next film project, the 2D-3D hybrid animated film Monkey Quest, at the Annecy Festival. Studio SANZIGEN is handling the 3D animation. The film follows a girl and her brother who free a forgotten protector of Earth. The cast includes Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, and J.K. Simmons. The film is in post-production and aiming for a 2027 release.

May 22

Toei Animation GM Says Anime Is No Longer Exclusively Japanese

Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke told Variety at Cannes that the era of anime being made only by Japanese people is over, saying the studio aims to create works rooted in local cultures with creators worldwide. The remark from a foundational studio executive signals a potential shift in the industry's self-definition.