On Oct. 15th(EST), Chuya-Den Project, a project aiming for the production of the original animation Chuya-Den, started fundraising on Kickstarter.

The Japanese animation industry is plagued by a variety of problems, such as the difficulty of raising funds for a risky original animation that doesn’t have a source work it’s based on, or how anime production is inclined toward a trend that is based on sales of goods and DVDs that only target a part of the core fanbase. In the present framework of anime production, one has to go through a great deal of trouble to make something purely because the creator wants to make it or because anime fans want to watch it. The Chuya-Den Project was launched exactly with the purpose of finding a new opening in such a situation.

This project aims to become a model case depicting a new realization method for future original animations. By raising the necessary funds via crowdfunding, fans and anime creators will stand together and make an original animation production into reality. Fans who aid the quest get to have a bond, a sense of being one with the creators, not to mention the special rewards you can only get in crowdfunding.

Contributions are accepted from $1, and there’s a stash of various rewards according to the amount donated. For instance, those who contribute $25 get the $1 reward (limited browsing of the Chuya-Den manga and a thank you message) and a download the full Chuya-Den movie. Those who pledge $45 will be sent a Blu-ray & DVD set. Other large sum rewards include having a Chuya-Den-style portrait of yourself made, being included in the anime as a character, and even the right to a mini episode of your own planning—there are numerous valuable rewards unique to crowdfunding waiting.

The voices of the main characters are another highlight of the anime, featuring an extravagant cast with Yu Kobayashi, Yui Horie, Ayumi Fujimura, Misato Fukuen, Norio Wakamoto, Motomu Kiyokawa, and Nobuyuki Hiyama. Let’s make the anime together with them!

Moreover! This time, we got a special message from YOSHIKO, planner, writer, and director of Chuya-Den, to the fans of Tokyo Otaku Mode!



“To those of you reading this on Tokyo Otaku Mode, nice to meet you. I am planner, writer, and director YOSHIKO.

“There is a quote from director Hayao Miyazaki whose words were burnt inside the memory of my then 18-year-old self: ‘The creators edge towards the work they create, which is as close to a destination as it can be. This whole course is what creating a work means.’

“I’ve been edging toward the work I want to create ever since I came across these words.

“Kickstarter is a tool with which we can stand together and aim for the same goal. All the people who push me from behind become ‘creators.’ Let’s bring it to life together and share it! We need everyone’s support for the making of Chuya-Den! By all means, let’s make it together!”

Chuya-Den Plot Summary

The story takes place on an alternative Earth where not only weather reports but day and night reports exist as well. A strange phenomenon occurs where night lasts for more than 20 hours for 20 consecutive days worldwide. The phenomenon is caused by the “Yokai Chanbara,” in which the Day Yokai and the Night Yokai bet on the time of day and night. Shu, Yuna, and Kenta join the Yokai Chanbara to take back daytime.