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Original Streampunk Anime Kurayukaba Launches Crowdfunding

Shigeyoshi Tsukahara and Twiflo launched a Makuake crowdfunding campaign for their original anime project Kurayukaba on Wednesday. The campaign seeks to raise 2,500,000 yen (about US$22,100) to fund a new 30-second promotional video that doubles as a pilot film for the project, with a stretch goal to create a 1-minute video if the campaign reaches 4,000,000 yen (about US$35,300). The campaign will also fund the creation of a "VR anime," that users can use to explore the project's world setting. The campaign will run until January 30.

Twiflo describes the anime:

Our story is set beneath the surface of the great metropolis, below the district of Ogi-town in a realm of dreams that floats in a haze of purple lignite smoke.

A network of roads stretches away underground, concealing bandits at every turn! An armored train snakes through the looming darkness: the steel-clad train Sokore 463 is equipped with a 75mm mountain gun that can blow a target to smithereens! In command is the mysterious girl Tanne.

What awaits her and her comrades? From the winding alleys of Akegata (dawn) to the deep subterranean world of Kuragari (dark), a daring adventure unfolds!

Shigeyoshi Tsukahara ("The Man Traveling with the Brocade Portrait," "Joseito," "Hashi no Mukou," SEKAI NO OWARI rock band's in-concert anime footage and set design) is directing the anime, with a script by Naohiro Fukushima (Santa Company, The Laughing Salesman NEW). Kazunori Minagawa (animation director on Macross Delta, Tokyo Ravens, Yuruyuri, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled) designed the characters, and Ryo-timo (Yozakura Quartet) is credited as digital coordinator.

The project screened during 2018 Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June. The anime also has an English website.

Sources: Kuroyukaba Makuake crowdfunding page, Twitter account via Ota-Suke