Synopsis: After parting ways with Feste and the others, Eirinze and Tiris travel through the lands of Regnas in the past. As the two set up camp, a suspicious shadow draws near... Director’s Comment: This was my first time taking on a 3D animated video work! Directing the 3D assets was all fresh and exciting, and I really enjoyed it.

From the project "Pokémon feat. Hatsune Miku Project VOLTAGE 18 Types/Songs," a collaboration between Hatsune Miku and Pokémon, this is the music video for PinocchioP's "Pocket no Monster." It tells the story of reliving the youth of a protagonist who grew up alongside Pokémon.

Description: The endless forms created by BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE’s primitive triangular pieces are expressed through motifs inspired by various objects and phenomena in nature. Phenomena abstracted by the BAO BAO structure are endowed with new meaning and beauty, creating a distinctive world. Through this process, the work explores the fascination of the organic and unique forms and movements produced by a triangular structure. www.baobaoisseymiyake.com

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)