New Anime From ‘Akira’ Creator in Development — Here’s Everything We Know So Far

A new chapter has started for legendary anime creator Katsuhiro Otomo, best known for Akira, as he officially launches a new animation studio called OVAL GEAR. The announcement was made through the studio’s newly opened official website and X account, which also confirmed that work on its first project has already begun.

According to the announcement shared through OVAL GEAR’s official channels, the studio is not just in planning stages but is already actively recruiting talent. At the same time, its first anime project is in development, although no details about the story or release date have been revealed yet.

Otomo is one of the most influential figures in anime history. He created the Akira manga and later directed its iconic film adaptation produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. Over the years, he has also worked on projects like Memories and Steamboy, building a reputation for detailed storytelling and strong visual direction.

With OVAL GEAR, Otomo says he wants to pass on his experience to a new generation of creators. The studio is expected to focus on original storytelling, though the exact direction of its first work is still being kept secret for now.

The studio’s official banner has also drawn attention. It features a central character from ORBITAL ERA, a sci-fi film project that was first announced in 2019. That project was linked to Studio Sunrise and was revealed around the same time as a planned new version of Akira. However, there have been no major updates on either project since their initial announcements.

For now, OVAL GEAR remains in its early phase, but the fact that production is already underway on its first title has created strong interest among fans. The announcement comes from OVAL GEAR’s official website and social media accounts, with further updates expected in the future as the studio develops its lineup of work.

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