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| Official website of Operation ONI,
an anime currently in production by
Studio ONI Ltd.,
utilizing the traditional Japanese ink brush painting technique
known as
Sumi-e. This project is created using
the traditional frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation style,
maintaining the classic approach of eight frames per second to
deliver an authentic and timeless visual experience. Our talented international team
collaborates across borders and languages, blending unique and
creative perspectives into every part of this anime. The project
is being developed through an “Open Production” approach, with
weekly updates shared every Friday evening on social media,
including original artwork and animation progress. Our first
goal is to bring this one-of-a-kind production to the film
festivals abroad and walk the red carpet. The first 15 minutes (Episode 1) is currently in production. The release of Episode 1 and the next crowdfunding campaign are scheduled after 2027. We sincerely appreciate your warm support! |
| Feb 20, | Video: Scene 8, Cut 2 - Colored Rough Animation New | |
| Feb 13, | Video: Scene 8, Cut 2 - Rough Animation | |
| Jan 30, | Video: Scene 7, Cut 3 – Completed | |
| Jan 23, | [Genga with ink painting background] Scene 7, Cut 3 | |
| Jan 16, | [Rough Genga] Mao Says Sorry to Onatsu. | |
| Jan 09, | Movement Test: Scene 08 - Cut 01 ver2! | |
| Jan 01, | Happy New Year from Studio ONI! |
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Sumi-e is one of the East Asian styles of traditional brush painting.
While it's monochrome, it can express rich and impressive
scenes. Watch these drawing videos and you'll find what it is.
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ONI are Japanese demons with horns. They have been popular stock
characters in Japanese fairytales, manga, film, art, literature,
theatre and so on for a long time.
And the lead of this film has these horns too, even though she is not an ONI. You will be able to see the reason why she has horns and discover the meaning of "Operation ONI" at the end of story. It's a military operation concerning her. |
| Set in samurai-era Japan, tensions rise between humans and the powerful Empire of Spirits. Mao, a formidable samurai marked by mysterious ONI (demon) horns on her head, has known only loneliness after losing her parents and enduring a harsh upbringing by a tyrant. Her closest bond is with her best friend, Onatsu, whose love has been Mao's sole solace. As war erupts, Mao vows to protect both her homeland and Onatsu, but Onatsu declares, "This is the end of our friendship," leaving Mao heartbroken. The true meaning of Onatsu's words and the fate of their friendship lie in the mystery of Mao's horns. |
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Neon Town Girl Voice actress: Neon (YouTube)  |
Sora Rice Shop Girl Voice actress: under consideration  |
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Umi Rice Shop Boy Voice actor: under consideration  |
Metoba Hakuo's Aide Voice actress: under consideration  |
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Kaidori Hakuo's Aide Voice actor: under consideration  |
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Sumi-e is one of the East Asian styles of traditional brush
painting. While it doesn't use many colors, it can express rich and
impressive scenes. These Sumi-e art will be background pictures of the
film. It's extremely compelling and I'm sure you will feel
inspired by it. We are very honored to invite you to this mysterious and
traditional Asian world.
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![[Genga with ink painting background] Scene 7, Cut 3](SNS%200123%202026%201200.jpg){kind=link}
![[Rough Genga] Mao Says Sorry to Onatsu.](SNS%200116%202026%201200.png){kind=link}
| Studio ONI is a Tokyo-based creative studio specializing in Japanese traditional ink painting animation and art.
We create hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animated works that fuse centuries-old ink painting techniques with contemporary cinematic storytelling. Our focus is on emotionally resonant worlds shaped through visual rhythm, negative space, and movement. Our recent work includes a large-scale animation project tied to an NHK Taiga Drama, now presented as a permanent exhibition in Nagahama City, as well as worldbuilding and narrative direction for major immersive edutainment facilities in Japan. Our practice spans animation production, ink painting art, and VTuber projects, working across Japan and internationally. Learn more on our official website. |
| Hiroshi Takane CEO and Founder of Studio ONI Ltd. Creative Director, Executive Producer, Director and Scriptwriter |
| Hiroshi Takane is a
Tokyo-born creative director, producer, and scriptwriter with over
20 years of experience in creative storytelling, advertising, and
art direction. As the founder and CEO of Studio ONI Ltd., he leads
projects that blend Japanese traditional ink painting aesthetics
with modern hand-drawn animation. He has created advertising and branded content for clients such as NHK, LEXUS, SONY, DeNA, Wacoal, BABYMETAL, and Granblue Fantasy, developing story concepts, scripts, worldbuilding, and narrative-driven promotional experiences across these campaigns. He also served as Associate Producer for the hand-drawn Japanese traditional ink painting and watercolor animation music video “Himitsu,” produced in collaboration with Graphinica, as well as for the Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. ink painting art exhibition. Most recently, Takane served as Creative Director for “The Tale of Nagamasa Azai and His Family,” a hand-drawn animation series created in the style of Japanese traditional ink painting as a satellite exhibition work for the NHK Taiga Drama “Toyotomi Brothers! (BROTHERS IN ARMS).” The work is permanently exhibited at the Azai Three Sisters’ Hometown “Gito Kizuna-kan” in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Takane also wrote scripts for acclaimed video games including 428: Shibuya Scramble and Nintendo’s Fire Emblem series. He is a certified lifetime member of Creators HQ, an international creative network based in Dubai. (Linkedin / FilmFreeway / IMDb) |
| Sho
Hosokawa COO of Studio ONI Ltd. Sumi-e Art Director, Background Artist and Co-Producer |
| Sho Hosokawa is a
Kyoto-based artist specializing in Japanese traditional ink
painting. Self-taught since childhood, he has pursued the essence of
beauty by studying masterpieces from both Eastern and Western art
traditions. His YouTube art channel, Turara-an, has gained over 50,000 followers worldwide, attracting a global audience interested in traditional ink expression and contemporary visual storytelling. In 2025, he received the Visual Impression Award at the JAPAN Kyoto Trade Exhibition held in Dubai, and his works were also exhibited at Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. Hosokawa served as Original Artist, Background Artist, and Art Director for the hand-drawn Japanese traditional ink painting and watercolor animation music video “Himitsu,” produced in collaboration with Graphinica. Most recently, he worked as Original Artist, Background Artist, and Japanese traditional ink painting Art Director for “The Tale of Nagamasa Azai and His Family,” a hand-drawn animation series created as a satellite exhibition work for the NHK Taiga Drama “Toyotomi Brothers! (BROTHERS IN ARMS).” The work is permanently exhibited at the Azai Three Sisters’ Hometown “Gito Kizuna-kan” in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Hosokawa is also a certified lifetime member of Creators HQ, an international network of creative professionals in the global film and media industry based in Dubai. (Website / IMDB / Linkedin / YouTube / Twitter / Threads) |
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Kinosuke Rakuga
(Yoko Mori) COO of Studio ONI Ltd. Action Director, Main Animator, Character Designer Representative of Ink Dancer (舞墨桜) |
| Kinosuke Rakuga is the Vice President,
Producer, Lead Animator, and Chief Animation Director at Studio ONI
Ltd. She is currently working on the ink-brush animated film
Operation ONI. Known for her strong sense of responsibility and deep
passion for animation, Kinosuke leads a global team with outstanding
leadership skills, bringing warmth and energy to every project she
oversees. She served as Chief Animation Director and Lead Animator for the hand-drawn Japanese traditional ink painting and watercolor animation music video “Himitsu,” produced in collaboration with Graphinica. Her work blends traditional Japanese digital brush techniques with dynamic action, creating animation that is both graceful and powerfully alive. This distinctive style has earned her recognition in Japan and internationally. Most recently, Kinosuke served as Storyboard Artist for “The Tale of Nagamasa Azai and His Family,” a hand-drawn animation series created as a satellite exhibition work for the NHK Taiga Drama “Toyotomi Brothers! (BROTHERS IN ARMS).” The work is permanently exhibited at the Azai Three Sisters’ Hometown “Gito Kizuna-kan” in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. (IMDB / Linkedin) |
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Miya Painting Animator / Member of Animation Team "Ink Dancer (舞墨桜)" |
| Agreed with the project and joined to help in any way she can. She draws manga and novels as a hobby. |
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Oksana Grabenko Inbetween Animator / Member of Animation Team "Ink Dancer (舞墨桜)" |
| An animator, artist and screenwriter. Worked on such projects as “Hacking Universe” series and “Winter“ comics, “Marilya. In search of weirdos” series, “Take my muffin” YouTube series, and the Japanese music video "Himitsu (Secret)" performed by HIPPY. (Website / Linkedin / Twitter(x) / Instagram) |
| Tukine Natsuki Character Designer Painting Animator / Member of Animation Team "Ink Dancer (舞墨桜)" |
| Has created numerous illustrations of cute females with creative worldviews and rich personalities, including the #Healing Little Girls series. Scouted by Director Takane and Kinosuke, and is in charge of character design now, mainly for Operation ONI's costumes. Twitter(x)) |
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Mirko De Stefano Animator / Member of Animation Team "Ink Dancer (舞墨桜)" |
| Mirko De Stefano is a traditional animator, 2D digital artist, and author of several commercials and AMVs, with nearly four years of experience as a lead animator. After finishing high school and earning a degree in Cinema and Visual Arts from the University of Turin (UNITO) in Italy, he worked as a lead animator, story artist, and director at Sound and Sense Record Label in Milan.
He also contributed as an animator for the
Japanese music video “Himitsu (Secret)” performed by HIPPY. A great admirer of Michelangelo and Stanley Kubrick, Mirko joined Operation ONI drawn by its artistic vision and the opportunity to create visually striking, emotionally resonant animation. (Linkedin) |
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Kaori Fukui Director of audiography |
| She started her career in 2010 as a game recording director and has worked in a wide variety of genres including dubbing, commercials, and radio dramas. |
| Suzu Nomiya
Character Designer |
| A freelance illustrator. Striving to draw attractive expressions. |
| Hiroko
Aoyama Script Director |
| Has worked several times with Director Takane since NHK, and directed most of his scripts. Founded a creative team named "DIP.LÔME" with him in 2015. This film is the first work as DIP.LÔME. |
| Fawkes
Sutherland (南国 鷹) Music Composer |
| A young composer in U.K. |
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Itsuki Amakusa Music Composer |
| Based in Kyoto, Itsuki began composing in 2012. Influenced by video game music, he creates pieces ranging from orchestral to rock, dance music, and vocal songs, often centered around the piano. He has a love for strings, electronic sounds, and matcha. In Operation ONI, he composed “The Strongest Samurai, Mao.” (X (Twitter)) |
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Alejandro Jiang (Hazeiko) Monster Designer |
| A freelance illustrator and concept artist. His inspiration comes from the deep value and heart of things that roam in our world, in meanings behind surfaces, behind crude ideas that blossom into beauty. Searching for a way to express those hidden gems to the jeweled eyes of those that wander. (Website / Twitter) |
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Roberta Alosi Monster Designer |
| Italian character designer and concept artist. She graduated from her country's art academy. She loves art in all its forms, from traditional to modern. Her goal in life is to get into people's hearts by her art. (Instagram / Twitter) |
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Tenkuroku Vtuber (Real-time Live2D motion capture animation) Creator (Sample) |
| I have been given the opportunity to create VTuber Live2D models at Studio ONI. I hope to help bring smiles to everyone's faces. Thank you! (Twitter(x), Youtube) |
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Marco Preißer English Advisor |
| A teacher for English, ethics and philosophy from Germany. In his spare time, he writes music and plays the guitar in several metal bands. |
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Carolyn Anderson Interpreter, translator, website creator, logo creator, LINE stamp creator |
| (Website, Twitter(x), Instagram, Youtube) |
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B-draw Concept Artist |
| Creating lots for Operation ONI such as Kyofu All Back and Onatsu's knife Work. Her concept art "Prayer" has been selected for the Noto Reconstruction Support Event. And she planned and managed Mao's birthday party. Her gallery is here. (Twitter(x) / Instagram) |
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Haruki Miniature Creator |
| I started my career as a miniature creator in June 2024. I have had a wonderful opportunity to work with Studio ONI in my favorite genre. I am still learning, but I hope to help everyone while enjoying the world of Operation ONI. We look forward to working with you for many years to come! (Shop / Twitter(x)) |
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Gerardo Coppola International Jurist |
| (Instagram) |
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Jacques Pearce Ambassador |
| (Website / Instagram) |
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Deanna J. Wright English Translator |
| She is an American writer, translator, teacher, and project leader currently living in Berlin to complete her Master's degree in Sociology and Politics. She lived in Osaka for seven years and hopes to share her love and appreciation for Japan and the Japanese language through her translation and teaching work. (LinkedIn) |
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kofudeya (Kumiko
Goto) Kanji Logo Designer |
| An amazing Kanji Logo Designer who created a Kanji Logo for this anime. |
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Pedro H. de
Souza Brazilian portuguese Translator |
| Hi I'm a college student that just likes pop culture so much and fell in love with this project so I decided to help with what I can. (Twitter) |
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Soundays Arranger |
| Producing and providing background music, mixing, mastering, and karaoke sound sources. He's extremely thrilled because he loves Japanese style music and wanted to be involved in this film production. |
| Izumin |
| Ever since she was a little girl, she loved singing and drawing. Her teacher was a cathode-ray tube TV that was still in black and white. Atom, Sally, and Leo, the Jungle Emperor, appeared on it. It was her awakening to drawing. She found a ballpoint pen and drew her favorite characters on the back of the flier, excitedly enjoying the world of cartoons. She has experienced many things in her life, but now she is feeling as if she is in the same space as she was back then. She is sure that it is a blessing that she was able to meet Director Takane, the Ink Dancer Animation Team, and all the staff of Studio ONI, Operation ONI, as she approaches the milestone of her 60th birthday this year. She will cherish this relationship and continue to support Operation ONI. (Twitter(x)) |
| Goma Channel & Ayaka |
| has been a member of
the Tsurara-an family for 3 years and watched it with her family.
That is where she met Operation ONI and is now a supporter of it.
She started making dolls as a hobby, and is now making dolls by
utilizing her daughter's hobby of digital artistry in doll making.
An Operation ONI doll is about to be born!
(Twitter(x) / Youtube) |
| YUKiNA |
| became fascinated with this project after watching Mr. Hosokawa's Youtube channel. She is training herself daily to draw attractive characters. Her current goal is to be able to receive requests for character design and illustrations. (Twitter(x)) |
| Rokusho Hinata |
| is a painter who depict the world of Operation ONI's Sumi-e paintings in anime style. In addition to fan art, he paints various motifs in oil, watercolor, and other materials. (Twitter(x)) |
| Lal Ito |
| Has been a portrait artist for 25 years. Former bus guide. Loves anime and manga. An art materials geek who draws pictures as a hobby. She got to know Operation ONI through Mr. Hosokawa's YouTube channel and is very happy to be involved in the anime film produced by the director Takane with fan art. (Twitter(x)) |
| Ponta 3GO |
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Loves to paint! After working with watercolor, hand-painted yuzen,
and oil painting, she arrived at Japanese painting. While searching
for Japanese paintings, she came across Mr. Hosokawa's Japanese
goods shop Turara-an and then OperationONI, where she started to
draw fan art. If there is a connection, you come to see them even if
they are far away from you. She is grateful to have met them. (Twitter(x)) |
| Lemongrass07 |
| Started making
ceramics to create ikebana vases and entered the world of three
dimensional art. In 2020, she started watching Mr. Hosokawa's
Youtube channel named "Turara-an" and started to draw analog
pictures such as watercolor, ink, and acrylic paintings, and entered
the world of two-dimensional art. After that, she met OperationONI
through Mr. Hosokawa and started to draw fan art. (Twitter(x), Youtube, Instagram, Threads) |
| Oyapon |
| I remember I was very excited to draw Operation ONI's first fanart in color when there was no fan art for Operation ONI yet. Seeing people going about making their dreams come true made me want to look forward to the future. I feel happy to be able to be involved in the process of creating animation, and to be able to make it lively. (Twitter(x)) |
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Thanks to all of you, our crowdfunding campaign for the first 15
minutes (Episode 1) in 2022 ended successfully on both
Kickstarter and
CAMPFIRE. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your warm
support!
The first 15 minutes (episode 1) is currently in production. The release of Episode 1 and the next crowdfunding campaign are scheduled after 2027. The length of the film is approximately 60 minutes. Since we do not have a large production team, it will take about 5 years to complete the film. We feel bad about keeping you waiting for a long time, so we decided to divide the film into 4 episodes and produce and release 15 minutes of each part every year (12-15 months). In the scripts, I created a climax and a cliffhanger every 15 minutes , so this anime can be enjoyed either in full version or in small 15-minute episodes. This way, our supporters will be able to enjoy our film every year or so. Our first goal is to combine these four episodes into a single movie and bring it to film festivals in the U.S. We would like to walk the red carpet. It is our dream. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Best regards, Producer, director, story, script writer and editor of Operation ONI Founder and CEO of Studio ONI Ltd. Hiroshi Takane |
| Actor/actress agency | YU-RIN PRO |
| Foreign talent agency | Free Wave Co.,Ltd. |
| Actor/actress agency | Early Wing |
| Recording Studio | STUDIO effort |
Copyright (C) Studio ONI Ltd. All rights reserved.