KILLTUBE, the original animated feature directed by Kazuaki Kuribayashi (CHOCOLATE Inc.), has been selected for the Work in Progress (WIP) program at the 50th Annecy International Animation Film Festival, taking place from June 21–27, 2026, in Annecy, France.
As one of the festival’s flagship industry events, the WIP program highlights major animation projects currently in production and offers audiences an exclusive look at their creative development.
Director Kazuaki Kuribayashi will present KILLTUBE alongside concept art director Fujihiko Sawai (WACHAJACK), screenwriter Ryo Takebayashi (CHOCOLATE Inc.), and producer Kayane Fujimura (CHOCOLATE Inc.).
Since its announcement in April 2024, KILLTUBE has generated strong interest among animation fans, with its teaser trailer surpassing 5 million views. The film remains in active production as the team continues to develop the original feature.
Pilot Film:
Key Visual:
CAST:
Yui Tsukada as Musashi
Kengo Kawanishi as Kikuchiyo
Ayane Sakura as Leo
FULL STAFF:
Director & Planner: Kazuaki Kuribayashi
Co-creators: VFX studio Kassen, Wachajack
Scriptwriters: Saeri Natsuo, Ryo Takemura, Takenori Tokuyama
World View Setting: Yusuke Ujita
Technical Direction: CAVIAR’s Takumi Shiga , Masato Goto, Bivi, Frog96, Marusou
Character Design/Technical Direction: Nike Shimaguchi
Technical Direction/VFX Supervisor: Kassen’s Takahiro Ota
Music Director: Matsuza Katakumi
Music Composition: Takao Ogi
Concept Art Director: Wachajack’s Fujihiko Sawai
Concept Artist: Shusei Sasaya
Character Settings: ARuFa
Graphic Designer: Masataka Yoshida
Art Director: Takuya Sekikawa
CG Lead Animator: StudioNoco’s Daisuke Kaneko
CG Supervisor: Yūki Mizoguchi
CG Animation Supervisor: MontBlanc Pictures’s Satoshi Takeno
Background Modeling Supervisor: Barehand’s Jun Kazuse
CG Effects Supervisor: Tai Komatsu
Technical Artist: Hiroyuki Okada
CG Producer: Nanao Nakatsuka
Production: STUDIO DOTOU
Produced by: CHOCOLATE Inc.
About the “Work in Progress” at Annecy:
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, established in 1960, is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious animation film festivals. The “Work in Progress” program has served as a platform where numerous notable projects have been presented prior to completion. In 2025, it was announced that approximately 3,900 works were submitted from around the world across all categories.
Annecy 2026 – Event Overview
- Dates: June 21–27, 2026
- Location: Annecy, France
- Official Website: https://www.annecyfestival.com/
Official Synopsis:
In 2026, Japan continues its isolation under the Edo Shogunate. Amidst strict social hierarchies, three individuals, treated as scums ofsociety, cross paths in a prison cell destined for a fateful encounter. They join the dueling video platform “KILLTUBE” to pursue fortune and to win their freedom in a segregational world.In an era dubbed the “Age of Great Duels,” where one can amassimmense wealth simply by defeating the strong, they face discrimination from samurais and merchants seeking power and authority. As they break the limits of convention and claim victory after victory, they rise in popularity, becoming decorated celebritiesof their time.However, just as they reach the height of their fame, they uncover the hidden truth behind “KILLTUBE”..
About CHOCOLATE Inc.:
CHOCOLATE Inc. is a company dedicated to creating diverse entertainment content and crafting a future that inspires. We have produced over 1,000 entertainment pieces, includinglive-action films, documentaries,characters, YouTube channels, and board games. Among our notable works is the feature film “MONDAYS:See You ‘This’ Week!,” which won the Grand Prize in the feature-length category at the 2023 Vevey International Funny Film Festival in Switzerland, and the character “Blue Ham Ham,” known for collaborations withrenowned global artists. We aim for our journey with this original work “KILLTUBE” to become the new standard in entertainment creation.
About “KILLTUBE”:
In 2026, Japan continues its isolation under the Edo Shogunate. Amidst strict social hierarchies, three individuals, treated as scums of society, cross paths in a prison cell destined for a fateful encounter. They join the dueling video platform “KILLTUBE” to pursuefortune and to win their freedom in a segregational world…This battle entertainment follows three underdogs who defy public ridicule and rise to the top in a closed environment.
Source: Press Release
©CHOCOLATE/KILLTUBE
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