Exciting New Developments for Akira Creator’s Upcoming Sci-Fi Film

Katsuhiro Otomo, the mastermind behind Akira, has been relatively quiet about his upcoming projects. Back in 2019, it was revealed that he would be writing and directing a feature film titled Orbital Era, with Sunrise attached as the studio. Recently, however, Otomo has taken a significant step by launching a new animation studio called Oval Gear. This raises the question: will we see more updates on Orbital Era soon, or is this the start of an entirely new venture? Fans are eager for answers!

It’s worth noting that it’s been nearly thirteen years since Otomo’s last project, the short film Hi no Youjin, which was part of the 2013 anime anthology Short Peace. His impact on both the comic and film industries is undeniable. As a key figure in Japan’s manga New Wave during the 1970s, he spent about a decade as a mangaka before creating the groundbreaking Akira, which ran from 1982 to 1990. The anime adaptation he directed in 1988 has since become one of the most influential and commercially successful animated films ever made.

Details about Otomo’s next film remain scarce, but the banner on Oval Gear’s website features a cosmonaut character from Orbital Era. The site is mostly minimalistic but starts with a compelling mission statement. The About page emphasizes that the studio aims to pass on the visual storytelling and creative vision that Otomo has honed over the years to the next generation, while also bringing new animation works to a global audience. Additionally, there’s a job openings tab at the top of the page, suggesting that Oval Gear is gearing up to nurture a new wave of animators.

As for what Oval Gear has in store, the site hints at a new anime project—likely Orbital Era—and promises more news is on the horizon. For now, fans of anime are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of a new feature from Otomo.