KILLTUBE Production Team Presents at Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 Work in Progress, Unveiling Latest Footage

CHOCOLATE Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Yusuke Watanabe) participated in the 50th Annecy International Animation Film Festival held in Annecy, France from June 21 to 27, 2026, presenting a Work in Progress (WIP) session for the original theatrical anime film 'KILLTUBE' (Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi; scheduled completion: 2026) on June 26 local time.

The 'Work in Progress' section is one of the festival's most highly anticipated programs alongside the official competition, showcasing ongoing animation projects from around the world. Creators present their production processes and exclusive footage directly to the audience. Director Kazuaki Kuribayashi, along with Fujihiko Sawai (Concept Art Director), Ryo Takebayashi (Screenwriter), and Kayaoto Fujimura (Producer), traveled to Annecy to present the project to animation industry professionals and creators from across the globe.

Approximately 300 attendees participated in the session, engaging in an active Q&A about the film's experimental production techniques and artistic development. The screening of dynamic 3DCG action sequences and newly revealed footage from the main production elicited enthusiastic cheers.

The team reported on the project's progress toward a global release from 2027 onward, with initial rollouts planned in Japan, followed by France and North America. At the session's conclusion, the audience chanted 'KILLTUBE,' and a long line formed for autographs and handshakes, marking a highly successful event.

Newly Unveiled Footage from the Work-in-Progress Film

Included scenes of the protagonists walking through the fictional lower districts of Shibuya, as well as a newly revealed sequence suggesting a grand-scale duel.

Session Highlights

The session opened with greetings in French by the four panelists, setting a warm and welcoming tone.

Director Kazuaki Kuribayashi introduced the project, incorporating a screening of the pilot footage. He emphasized that KILLTUBE is more than just a film—it is an 'experimental space' for creating original content. He shared his vision of openly sharing the extensive trial-and-error process behind the production.

Concept Art Director Fujihiko Sawai explained the visual development process behind the film's unique 'Edo Punk' aesthetic. He detailed how the team built an original world inspired by traditional ukiyo-e and lantern color palettes, breaking free from conventional visual styles. The audience responded with cheers during the presentation of actual concept art, highlighting strong interest in the film's visual creativity.

Screenwriter Ryo Takebayashi described the project's experimental production structure, which includes a core team of three co-writers alongside over 20 additional creators from diverse genres. With humor, he discussed the innovative 'story framework' developed specifically for KILLTUBE, as well as the challenges of managing such a large collaborative effort.

Panelist Profiles and Comments

Project Lead and Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi (CHOCOLATE Inc.)

CHOCOLATE Inc. CCO / Creative Director. Youngest medalist of the JAAA Creator of the Year. Awarded over 60 honors at international and domestic festivals including Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, the Japan Media Arts Festival, and ACC. He actively blends and transcends wisdom from various forms of entertainment to pioneer new creative methodologies.

<Post-Session Comment>

This was my first-ever Work in Progress presentation, revealing aspects of our process for the first time. The overwhelming enthusiasm exceeded my expectations and truly gave me courage. We're packing every last moment with relentless ideas and ingenuity to plunge audiences into a world they've never seen before. Please look forward to it.

Concept Art Director: Fujihiko Sawai (WACHAJACK Inc.)

Founder and representative of WACHAJACK Inc., a concept art-focused studio. As a member of WACHAJACK, he contributed to the concept art for Square Enix's 'FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE' and 'FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.' For 'KILLTUBE,' he has led the visual development, establishing the film's unique 'Edo Punk' aesthetic by fusing CG influenced by traditional Japanese woodblock prints with vivid street culture.

<Post-Session Comment>

As a member of 'STUDIO DOTOU,' it was the ultimate creative fulfillment to help build 'KILLTUBE'—the world's most intense playground—from a visual standpoint, and to deliver our 'Edo Punk' vision to the Annecy audience. Being so warmly welcomed on site was unforgettable. We've condensed the madness and ideas of the entire team into our concept art, and I'm confident we've created a world that's both exceptional and wildly entertaining. I hope people everywhere will enjoy it together!

Screenwriter: Ryo Takebayashi (CHOCOLATE Inc.)

Began his career directing documentaries before transitioning to feature films. His film 'MONDAYS / This Time Loop Won't End Until My Boss Notices' (2022), which he directed and co-wrote, expanded to 45 cities through word of mouth. It won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Vevey International Comedy Film Festival and the New Director and Editing Awards at the 32nd Japan Film Critics Awards. It was also released theatrically and on television in France (French title: Comme un lundi). His latest directorial work, 'The Invisibles,' is scheduled to screen at BIFAN this year.

<Post-Session Comment>

The energy from everyone gathered at Annecy was incredible—it was truly inspiring to speak in front of such an audience.

As the story team, we're now in the final stretch, and all we can do is cheer each other on. Just imagining everyone watching the completed film fills me with excitement!

Producer: Kayaoto Fujimura (CHOCOLATE Inc.)

Producer at CHOCOLATE Inc., overseeing film production and promotion. Past credits include 'Kirie's Song' (2023, Promotional Producer), 'MONDAYS / This Time Loop Won't End Until My Boss Notices' (2022, Promotional Producer), and the short anime 'Baby Bread' (2024, Producer). For 'KILLTUBE,' she is actively leading efforts toward a worldwide theatrical release.

<Post-Session Comment>

In the world of 'KILLTUBE,' where social status is predetermined from birth, the protagonists strive to carve their own destinies from the very bottom of society. Director Kuribayashi, along with Ryo Takebayashi, Fujihiko Sawai, and the entire production team, are exactly like the film's protagonists—pioneering toward a new horizon through this very project. The passionate support we received at Annecy still feels like a dream! We ask for your continued anticipation until the day we can share this film with you.

Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 Overview

Festival Dates: June 21–27, 2026

Location: Annecy, France

Official Website: https://www.annecyfestival.com/

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, established in 1960 when the animation section of the Cannes Film Festival became independent, is one of the world's largest and most prestigious animation festivals. The 'Work in Progress' section has previously introduced numerous acclaimed works before their completion.

In 2025, the festival received over 3,900 entries from more than 100 countries worldwide (across all categories).

About the Theatrical Anime Film 'KILLTUBE'

Set in a Japan where the Edo period has continued into the modern era for mysterious reasons, 'KILLTUBE' unfolds in a rigidly stratified society where the only way to change one's status is through 'duel streaming.' It follows a battle entertainment story in which three underdogs from the lowest social class defy public ridicule and fight their way to the top.

Story Synopsis

In a Japan where the Edo era continues to the present day,

a massive vertical city thrives behind a wall sealing off the sea.

For the sake of social peace, people's residences, occupations, and even diets are strictly managed according to a seven-tier class system.

The only way to change one's inherited status

is to win through the state-run duel streaming platform 'KILLTUBE.'

For dreams, for freedom, the masses throw themselves onto blood-soaked stages.

Enter Musashi, an unconventional youth raised by dogs.

Together with the con artist Kikuchiyo and the inventor Leo, the trio enters 'KILLTUBE' from the very bottom of Edo society to fight for the top.

Their unorthodox methods catch the eye of the Shogun Ieyasu, but they also begin to confront the unsettling distortions of this society.

Can Musashi and his companions truly achieve freedom in this world?

Basic Information

Production: STUDIO DOTOU

Title: KILLTUBE (Killtube)

Project Lead and Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi (CHOCOLATE Inc.)

Production Planning: CHOCOLATE/KILLTUBE

Runtime: 90 minutes (approximate)

Official Website: https://killtu.be/

Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KILLTUBEJP

Official X: https://x.com/KILLTUBEJP

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killtubejp/

Contact: info@killtube.jp

About CHOCOLATE Inc.

CHOCOLATE Inc. is a company dedicated to creating diverse forms of entertainment and shaping a joyful future. We operate across a wide range of businesses that increase the world's 'fun things,' including films, anime, characters, exhibitions, and advertising.

Official Website: https://www.chocolate-inc.com/

※When using materials related to this work, please credit as follows:

©CHOCOLATE/KILLTUBE