Masaaki Yuasa and his Science Saru studio teased their new film during a masterclass panel at the 2018 Annecy International Animated Film Festival on Thursday. Yuasa said that his new work will be a "simple and straightforward love story," and also said the new film will center on water. Yuasa added that he will formally announce the film in Japan a little later, and asked fans to look forward to the announcement.

Yuasa's Lu over the Wall film (pictured at right) won the top "Cristal for a Feature Film" award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival last year, the first Japanese film to do so in 22 years. The film also won the Silver Prize for the "Best Animated Feature Film" audience award at Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival in August.

Lu over the wall was Yuasa's first anime film with an original story, and it opened in Japan in May 2017. GKIDS screened the film in the United States last month.

Yuasa also recently directed the Night is Short, Walk On Girl film, which is based on a novel by The Tatami Galaxy and The Eccentric Family author Tomihiko Morimi. The film opened in Japan in April 2017. Yuasa has also directed the Devilman Crybaby, Kick-Heart, Ping Pong, and Mind Game anime.

Sources: Eiga Natalie, Catsuka