{"id":157,"date":"2026-05-14T17:26:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anime-roulette.com\/blog\/?p=157"},"modified":"2026-05-14T17:26:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:26:25","slug":"katsuhiro-otomo-oval-gear-animation-studio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anime-roulette.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/14\/katsuhiro-otomo-oval-gear-animation-studio\/","title":{"rendered":"The Godfather of Anime Is Back: Katsuhiro Otomo Launches Oval Gear Studio"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Breaking News<\/span><\/p>\n

The Godfather of Anime Is Back: Katsuhiro Otomo Launches Oval Gear Studio<\/h1>\n

Published May 15, 2026 · Anime Recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n<\/header>\n

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The creator of Akira<\/em> \u2014 arguably the most influential anime film ever made \u2014 has returned. Katsuhiro Otomo has launched his own animation studio in Tokyo, is hiring a new generation of artists, and already has a feature film in production.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

This is not a drill. After more than a decade of near-silence, Katsuhiro Otomo<\/strong> \u2014 the man who gave us Akira<\/em>, Steamboy<\/em>, and some of the most visually stunning animation ever committed to film \u2014 has launched his own animation studio. Oval Gear<\/strong> opened its doors this week in Tokyo’s Musashino district with a clear mission: pass on Otomo’s craft to the next generation, and produce new animated works for the world. If this is your first time here, welcome to the Anime Roulette blog<\/a> \u2014 and if you care about the future of animation, this is the most important news you’ll read this year.<\/p>\n

What Is Oval Gear?<\/h2>\n

Oval Gear Animation Studio<\/strong> is a feature animation production company founded by Katsuhiro Otomo in May 2026<\/strong>. According to the studio’s official website:<\/p>