Japanese Anime ‘Killtube’ Brings Dystopian Battle to Tokyo Market
An original anime feature set in an alternate 2027 Japan is at the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market, promising a high-octane blend of feudal imagery and futuristic warfare.
“Killtube,” directed by Kuribayashi Kazuaki, takes place in a world where Japan remains under Edo Shogunate rule, transformed into a sprawling metropolis of skyscrapers behind isolationist walls. In this stratified society, citizens are divided into seven status levels that determine every aspect of their lives — from housing to occupation to food rations.
The only escape from predetermined fate comes through “Killtube,” a government-run streaming platform where combatants duel to the death for fortune and freedom. At the story’s center is Musashi, a boy raised by dogs at the bottom of society’s hierarchy, who teams up with Kikuchiyo, a shrewd producer, and Leo, an inventive genius, to fight their way to the top. Their unconventional approach catches the eye of Shogun Ieyasu himself, ultimately forcing them to confront the darker truths beneath their controlled world.
“Within the 90 minutes of the film, I want to paint the feeling of excitement that someone has felt in their life, and to do that, I try to keep that same excitement within myself throughout the process,” Kuribayashi tells Variety. “We would like the audience to feel that sense of excitement and anticipation, and if this original work can reach people across borders and connect with them, that would be a real success for us.”
The production has adopted an unconventional approach that sets it apart from typical anime workflows. “‘Killtube’s identity is built on continuously gathering and integrating ideas from creators across diverse industries,” Kuribayashi explains. “Rather than following a conventional assembly-line workflow, we iterate through idea cycles. The greatest challenge has been maintaining a sense of speed, but we are now at a stage where that flow is becoming firmly established.”
Producer Fujimura Kayane notes that the team completed the screenplay and storyboards in 2025 and has now entered the CG pre-visualization phase. “Because we adopted a unique workflow that required moving back and forth between scriptwriting and storyboarding, we faced some major creative challenges,” Fujimura says. “However, through that process, our team was able to shape a story and characters we are truly proud of.”
Casting is currently underway, bringing fresh momentum to the production. “Hearing the characters come to life through the actors’ voices has given the entire team a renewed sense of excitement and confidence in the project,” Fujimura adds.
For the filmmakers, the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market represents a crucial opportunity to expand the project’s reach beyond Japan. “It’s a very valuable opportunity for us to present ‘Killtube’ to audiences outside Japan,” Fujimura says. “We hope to directly share our vision and explore how people around the world perceive the potential of this project, while building new international relationships and collaborations along the way.”
The production is targeting completion in 2026, with plans for both local and international release. Kuribayashi remains hands-on throughout the process, “deeply involved in checking and directing every part of the production, from animation and recording to background CG and color keys.”
“We aim to release Killt’ube not only in Japan but also to audiences around the world,” Fujimura says. “We’re working hard to make it a film that people everywhere can look forward to.”
