Pony Canyon forms business alliance with new animation studio "STUDIO DOTOU". Participation in the production of original theatrical animation "KILLTUBE" was decided!

STUDIO DOTOU is a new animation studio jointly established by CHOCOLATE Inc., KASSEN, and WACHAJACK on July 4, 2024. And Pony Canyon has now announced a business alliance with DOTOU. Pony Canyon will also produce the original theatrical animation "KILLTUBE" (Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi, to be released in 2026).

The significance of the establishment of "DOTOU" and comments from each company have now arrived.

Please look forward to more information in the future.

What "STUDIO DOTOU" is aiming for

Studio Dotou was created to bring together a variety of professionals to create a "new way of making things" without being bound by the boundaries of their respective fields of expertise or the conventions of the industry. We hope to expand the possibilities for creating various types of works by opening up the lessons learned through our experiments to the public.

[Comment

Kazuaki Kuribayashi, Chief Content Officer, CHOCOLATE Inc.

The name "Rage Tao" is written "怒る涛", which means "angry waves" in Japanese. When I came up with this name, for some reason, I was struck by a flash of inspiration and thought, "This is the only way to do it. I was furious with myself and thought, "I can make something more interesting than this! I was probably filled with anger toward myself and thought to myself, "I can make something more interesting! I will continue to break down unnecessary barriers and create something that sticks in the spine.

Takahiro Ota, President of KASSEN Corporation

Since its launch in 2020, KASSEN has continued to innovate in a variety of ways to create new era of filmmaking and team building as a studio that pioneers a new era. We also offer a wide range of services from other studios and freelancers. In addition, we have valued our connections with other studios and freelance artists, and this is exactly what we have been able to utilize at DOTOU. We look forward to your continued support as we aim to renew the culture of humanity through the creation of artworks.

Mr. Fujihiko Sawai, President of WACHAJACK, Inc.

WACHAJACK was established in 2018 as the largest concept art production team in Japan. Aiming to be a platform to realize (ARTilize) artists' expression, we have been working mainly on game and video production as a HUB connecting artists in Japan and around the world.
Together with the three companies, which have strong synergy, DOTOU will promote the creation of new works that are not bound by conventional frameworks through a bilateral approach that straddles various industries.

Sadakazu Kikuchi, Director (General Manager, Animation and Video Business Division), Pony Canyon Inc.

We were impressed by the pilot film released in April, and had the opportunity to discuss participation in the project. We were so impressed by the pilot film released in April that we had a meeting to discuss our participation in the project. During the discussion, we strongly felt the enthusiasm of "STUDIO DOTOU" to create a new animation production and business, and decided to enter into a business alliance with them. We will make every effort to deliver works that meet the expectations of animation fans around the world.

Comment (original text)

KILLTUBE

KILLTUBE" is set in Japan, where for some reason the Edo period continues until the year 2026. In a society where the status system is strict and the only way to change one's status is through "duel distribution," this is a battle entertainment in which three men from the lowest class defy the ridicule of the public and challenge to the top.

＜Synopsis
In the year 2026, Japan is still closed off from the rest of the world by the Edo Shogunate.
In order to win their freedom, they join a dueling video platform called "KILLTUBE" and try to get rich.

In the "Great Dueling Age," in which one can win a huge fortune simply by "defeating the stronger one," the three are discriminated against by samurai and merchants who fight for power and authority, but they become popular and become the "men of the hour" when they discover a fact hidden in the "KILLTUBE" system. They learn of a fact hidden in the "KILLTUBE" system.

The three winners become popular and become the "men of the hour".
KILLTUBE
Production: STUDIO DOTOU
Scheduled release date: Spring 2026 (target)
Planning/Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi
Planning and Production: CHOCOLATE Inc.
Running Time: 90 minutes (planned)
Theatrical Animation "KILLTUBE" Official Website: #
Theatrical Animation Official YouTube: #
Theatrical Animation Official X：#
Theatrical Animation Official Instagram：#

Studio Information
STUDIO DOTOU" official website：#