VR Animation 'IF YOU SEE A CAT', Nominated at the Venice International Film Festival, Launches Globally on Steam and Meta Store from April 3!

Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Ishimaru; hereinafter 'the Company') has announced that the VR animation 'IF YOU SEE A CAT', planned and produced by the Company, will be available worldwide on Steam and Meta Store starting Friday, April 3, 2026.

This work has been highly acclaimed at numerous international film festivals, including the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and the NewImages Festival 2026. To commemorate the release, a 20% OFF launch sale will be held exclusively on Steam for a limited two-week period from April 3 to April 17.

Maximizing the immersive nature of VR, players watch over a young boy's hospital life from the perspective of an 'illusory cat', raising questions about the reality of psychiatric care, the mother-child relationship, and the meaning of 'salvation'. The audio is available in both English and Japanese. In the Japanese version, actor Tatsuya Wakaba passionately plays the protagonist boy, 'Naoki', while Ryoko Yuui plays the mother, 'Midori'.

[About the Work] This project is an ambitious piece that tackles the social issue of Japan's psychiatric care challenges, teaming up animation director Atsushi Wada, winner of the Silver Bear at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival (for 'The Great Rabbit'), with Kenji Ishimaru, who has produced numerous highly acclaimed VR films. The script, based on meticulous research, blends with Director Wada's unique animation expression to create a work that resonates deeply in the hearts of those who experience it.

[Release Information & Launch Sale] To celebrate the release, the game will be offered at a discounted price on Steam for a limited time from April 3 to April 17. Release Date: Friday, April 3, 2026 Distribution Platforms: Steam: https://s.team/a/4458990 Meta Store: https://vr.meta.me/s/2i5ixSRp1AecLsn Sale Period: April 3 to April 17, 2026 (Steam only) Sale Details: 20% OFF the regular price (Steam only)

[Work Overview] Title: IF YOU SEE A CAT Duration: Approx. 37 minutes Genre: VR Animation Planning/Production: Kodansha VR Lab Presented by: Kodansha Languages: English, Japanese (Subtitles: English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese)

[Awards] Venice International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection TITAN International Film Festival – Best AR/VR Film Animateka International Animated Film Festival – Official Selection Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival – Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam – Official Selection Asia Digital Art Award FUKUOKA – Excellence Prize Newimages Festival 2026 – Official Selection One World International Human Rights Film Festival - Official Selection New Media Festival – Official Selection Kaboom Animation Film Festival – Official Selection

[Screening Invitations] Feinaki Beijing Animation Week Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival Piccolo Festival Animazione Carthage Film Festival (JCC) XR Program Beyond the Frame Festival

[Synopsis] It is said that one in 20 people in Japan receives treatment for some form of mental illness. The reality of psychiatric care in Japan involves various problems stemming from historical background, the inherent difficulties of psychiatric treatment itself, and systemic distortions, which potentially hinder the recovery of those suffering from mental illnesses. In this work, a young boy who hallucinates seeing his deceased beloved cat is diagnosed with a mental illness solely for 'seeing a cat', and is subsequently hospitalized for treatment. In VR, the player takes on the perspective of the hallucinatory cat and watches what the boy experiences in the hospital. By witnessing these events up close, it becomes a distinctively VR experience that allows the audience to tangibly feel the issues of psychiatric care, the relationship between mother and son, and what salvation truly means for the boy.

[Comments from Tatsuya Wakaba (as Naoki)] I am extremely happy to be approached by a team trying to do something new. It brings me joy to know there are comrades fighting with new things in conservative times. Please experience the unexperienced.

[Comments from Ryoko Yuui (as Midori)] What is a parent supposed to do when one day their child says a cat that is supposed to be dead is there, and they see their child conversing with a cat they cannot see? What is a child supposed to do when told that the cat right in front of them is invisible to everyone else? The correct answer probably differs for everyone, and perhaps there is no such thing as a 'correct answer' to begin with.

This work allows everyone to watch over the parent and child from the perspective of that cat. I would be delighted if you could see and feel what is truly important within the world of VR.

[About Tatsuya Wakaba] Born June 10, 1989, in Tokyo. In 2016, won Best New Actor at the 8th TAMA Film Awards. In 2024, won Best Supporting Actor at the 120th The Television Drama Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor at the Tokyo Drama Awards 2024, and the Newcomer of the Year at the 49th Elan d'or Awards. Recent film appearances include 'Over the Town' ('21), 'Prior Convictions' ('22), 'The Lightning in Love' ('23), 'Ichiko' ('23), 'Penalty Loop' ('24), 'Warau Mushi' ('25), and 'Teppen no Mukou ni Anata ga Iru' ('25). Co-starring film 'Street Kingdom: Jibun no Oto wo Narase.' ('26).

[About Ryoko Yuui] Born August 10, 1976, in Tokyo. Debuted in the drama 'Shizukanaru Don' (Nippon TV). Since then, she has been widely active as an actress in dramas, films, and theater. Representative works include the dramas 'Hakusen Nagashi' and 'Code Blue'. Recent major works include the film 'Cells at Work!' and the dramas 'Asakusa Last Boss Obaachan' and 'Chastity High'.

[Main Cast (Japanese)] Naoki: Tatsuya Wakaba Midori: Ryoko Yuui Dr. Inai: Kentaro Tone Nurse Takato: Emiko Takeuchi Nurse Mikita: Wataru Komada

[Main Cast (English)] Naoki: Caleb Yen Midori: Rosie Okumura Dr. Inai: Doug Erholtz Nurse Takato: Rebecca Davis Nurse Mikita: Sean Chiplock

[About Director Atsushi Wada] Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1980. Studied film/video at Osaka Kyoiku University, Image Forum Institute of the Moving Image, and Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School. Started creating animations around 2002, continuing to produce works with 'pauses' and 'pleasant movements' as major themes.

[About Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd.] Established in October 2017 by Kodansha, a comprehensive publishing company, and Polygon Pictures, Japan's largest digital animation studio, it is a studio that plans and researches new entertainment centered on VR. Exploring what content maximizes the latest technology, we will give it shape and broadcast it to the world.

Representative Director: Kenji Ishimaru