A teaser video and teaser visual for the completely original 3DCG animation “URAHARA,” with Ryosuke Kamide serving as the original creator, screenwriter, and director, and Kanta Mochida handling direction, visuals, and design. A story about the changing city, the soil being covered over, the fungi being killed off, and the humans who are allowed to live on. It is about the many pangs of conscience borne by humans who have set out running toward a dystopia.

The music video for VESPERBELL's original song, newly written by Hiiragi Magnetite and featured on "SPOTLIGHT vol.2"

Upopoy, Japan’s first national facility dedicated to sharing the history and culture of the Ainu people, opened in Shiraoi, Hokkaido on Sunday, July 12. Comprising a folklore museum, an interactive field museum, and an Ainu symbiosis park, it has drawn attention as a base for reviving and developing the Ainu culture that is gradually being lost. What JKD was responsible for this time was the large-scale projection mapping and lighting show that began on Saturday, July 18, and serves as the highlight of Upopoy’s night program. Through a delicate yet dynamic hand-drawn full animation running just under 14 minutes, synchronized with soul-stirring music and sound design, it depicts the Ainu creation myth. The visuals are projected mainly onto the walls of the dome-shaped Experience Exchange Hall, as well as onto the surrounding hills, river, and statues. Lighting placed throughout the expansive grounds is tightly synchronized with the music and mapped imagery, creating a fantastical spatial presentation that draws viewers into the story. Among the audio-visual works JKD has produced so far, this one ranks in the top three. The music was created by OKI, the world-renowned musician known for the OKI Dub Ainu Band, and Kuniyuki Takahashi, also based in Sapporo and known internationally for his work. To approach truly authentic expression, the animators—Ryoji Yamada, Hana Ono, Yutaro Kubo, and Tatsuhiro Ariyoshi—took on the project in a serious collaborative effort. The opening and ending motion were handled by Shotaro Tomiyama and Ko Kudo of the JKD visual team, and the overall visual direction was led by Shane Lester. The story of the Ainu creation myth unfolds across the vast grounds facing a beautiful lake. We hope we were able to create an experience that truly draws people in. If you ever have the chance to visit Hokkaido, please be sure to see it. (Through 8/30: daily except Mondays. From September onward: every Saturday and Sunday, and on public holidays at night, several screenings after sunset)