Legendary director Katsuhiro Ōtomo, best known for the seminal cyberpunk film Akira, has established a new feature animation studio in Tokyo named OVAL GEAR. The studio's stated mission is twofold: to transmit Ōtomo's decades of filmmaking experience and artistic sensibilities to a new generation, and to create and release new animated works globally.
OVAL GEAR is already in the process of producing its first title and is actively seeking animators and production personnel to join its team. While the studio has not confirmed its inaugural project, its newly revealed logo shares a visual similarity with concept art for Ōtomo's previously announced film Orbital Era. This ambitious science-fiction project, originally revealed in 2019, is set to follow the coming-of-age story of young people living in a space colony.
Ōtomo’s prolific career began in manga with works like Domu, before he transitioned to directing anime. His directorial credits include segments of Robot Carnival, the feature film adaptation of Akira, Memories, and Steamboy. He has also contributed to numerous other animated projects, including Gundam: Mission to the Rise, Harmagedon, Roujin Z, Spriggan, Metropolis, Freedom Project, and Hipira: The Little Vampire.
Source: Anime News Network(https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-05-11/akira-katsuhiro-otomo-establishes-new-feature-animation-studio-oval-gear/.237245)
