Crowdfunding Launched Today at 7 PM for Fullmetal Panic! Creator Shoji Gatoh's New Robot Light Novel 'Kidou Tensei' to Erect an 18-Meter-Scale Advertisement of Protagonist Mecha 'Leydas'!

KADOKAWA Corporation (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President, CEO: Tsuyoshi Natsuno, hereinafter 'KADOKAWA') announces the launch of a crowdfunding campaign today, July 4, 2026 (Saturday) at 19:00, for the upcoming new light novel 'Kidou Tensei,' to be published by the Fantasia Bunko imprint on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

The funds raised will be used to create and display a life-size, 18-meter-scale advertisement of 'Leydas,' the protagonist humanoid robot from 'Kidou Tensei.' Additionally, various exclusive rewards—including crowdfunding-only original goods—are available depending on the support tier. We sincerely appreciate your support and encouragement!

About 'Kidou Tensei'

- Credits - Author: Shoji Gatoh - Illustrations: BUNBUN - Mechanical Design: Kanmu Ebikawa, Toshiaki Igarashi

- Release Date - Scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026

- Synopsis - Reincarnated as an 18-meter-tall humanoid combat mecha—and a prototype at that. - An ordinary office worker is reborn as the ultimate mobile weapon!? Facing an enemy army attacking a lunar colony, the young pilot boards 'Leydas' and rises to fight. Can you survive? (Occasionally distracted by girls' thighs)

- Cover illustration now available!

Crowdfunding Launches Today, July 4 (Sat) at 7 PM!

'Leydas' stands upon the earth: The 'Kidou Tensei' 18-Meter-Scale Life-Size Advertisement Project

The book version of 'Kidou Tensei,' the new robot light novel by Shoji Gatoh, creator of 'Full Metal Panic!,' has been officially announced!

We want the protagonist mecha 'Leydas'—an 18-meter-tall humanoid robot—to stand in real city streets!

Driven by this vision, we have launched this project.

We kindly ask for your support in making the life-size advertisement of 'Leydas' a reality.

Crowdfunding page: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/950367

Schedule and Status

- Crowdfunding Period - July 4, 2026 (Sat) 19:00 to September 6, 2026 (Sun) 23:59

- Estimated Reward Shipment Dates - Physical Goods: Scheduled for sequential shipment starting December 2026 - Digital Goods: Scheduled between September and late October 2026

The life-size advertisement is planned to be displayed in the Kanto region. The display period is scheduled to begin in December 2026 or later. (Note: Timing is subject to availability alongside other advertisements.)

Funds raised will be used not only for the advertisement display costs but also for producing and shipping rewards, payment processing fees, and other operational expenses. We will create exclusive goods featuring a special short story written by Shoji Gatoh, characters illustrated by BUNBUN, and mechanical designs by Kanmu Ebikawa.

Support Tiers and Rewards

- Support starts from ¥1,000. For details, please refer to the reward summary table below. - Names listed in the Special Thanks section can be nicknames or pen names; real names are not required. If you wish to change the name for Special Thanks, please update the notes section of your support via your My Page before the project ends.

Support Tiers

- Entry Pack (¥1,000) - Standard Pack (¥5,000) - Standard Pack Revised (¥7,500) - Special Pack (¥10,000) - High Grade Pack (¥15,000) - Master Pack (¥30,000) - Perfect Pack (¥50,000) - All-in Perfect Pack (¥100,000)

Reward List

- Original Short Story by Shoji Gatoh - A special 'Kidou Tensei' story, available exclusively here, will be published in project updates.

- Access to Crowdfunding Progress Logs - Regular updates on the project's progress will be provided.

- 'Kidou Tensei' Illustration Rough Sketch Artbook - Limited release of rough sketches from the first volume.

- Smartphone & PC Wallpapers (Digital) - Digital wallpaper files featuring 'Kidou Tensei' illustrations will be sent via message.

- Serial Numbered Supporter Certificate Card - A card designed to reflect the 'Kidou Tensei' universe. Higher-tier packages include metal-quality materials.

- 1/20 Scale Heroine Acrylic Stand - Acrylic stands of characters designed by BUNBUN. - Characters: Abby, Samina, Emeru, Ney (4 characters planned)

- 1/144 Scale 'Leydas' Acrylic Stand - Acrylic stand of the protagonist 'Leydas,' designed by Kanmu Ebikawa. - Size: Approximately 12–13 cm

- 'Kidou Tensei' B2 Poster - Paper poster featuring 'Kidou Tensei' illustrations will be shipped.

- Retro-Style Fantasia Bunko Book Cover - A book cover inspired by the original Fantasia Bunko design.

- Acrylic Art Frame A (Character Illustration) - Acrylic Art Frame B (Mechanical Illustration) - Art frames featuring 'Kidou Tensei' illustrations. Double-layered design for a sense of depth.

- Special Thanks Listing (Listing location to be announced later!) - Names will be listed on a thank-you page in the book or on a dedicated website. - *Please enter your desired display name in the notes section when supporting. - *Nicknames allowed. Listing format: text only

Related Information

- 'Kidou Tensei' Crowdfunding Page: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/950367 - 'Kidou Tensei' Official X: https://x.com/KIDOTENSHO - Shoji Gatoh Official X: https://x.com/gatosyoji - Fantasia Bunko Official Website: https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/label/fantasiabunko/ - Fantasia Bunko Official X: https://x.com/fantasia_bunko