Akira Creator Katsuhiro Otomo Establishes His Own Animation Studio: A New Era Begins with OVAL GEAR!
The living legend of the anime and manga world, the creator of Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo, has announced the establishment of his own animation studio in a move that has created great excitement in the industry. OVAL GEAR animation studio, which officially opened its doors on May 11, 2026, has begun operations in the Musashino district of Tokyo. With the establishment of the studio, the official website and social media accounts went live, giving Otomo fans the news they have been waiting for: A new project is already in production!
The purpose of establishing OVAL GEAR is not limited to just producing new films. The studio's official statement emphasizes that it aims to pass on the visual expression styles and authorial sensibilities that Katsuhiro Otomo has developed over decades to future generations. As part of this vision, the studio has posted job openings to recruit both experienced artists and talented young people without industry experience. Otomo aims to leave a lasting legacy in the animation world by sharing his mastery with the younger generation.
So, what is that mysterious "new project" the studio is working on? The visuals on the studio's website point to the Orbital Era project, which was announced in 2019 but has been silent ever since. The iconic image of a cosmonaut holding a skateboard is proof that Orbital Era will now come to life under the OVAL GEAR banner. This action-adventure film, which will take place on a space colony under construction in the near future, will be the third major feature-length animation film directed by Otomo after 1988's Akira and 2004's Steamboy.
This development is also a special one for Akira fans.
