Katsuhiro Otomo, the legendary creator of AKIRA, launched a new feature animation studio called OVAL GEAR on May 11, 2026. A first title is already in production. Global fans are speculating whether this marks the long-awaited return of his shelved 2019 project ORBITAL ERA.
Inside the Nippon TV interview AKIRA creator Katsuhiro Otomo gave after unveiling Tokyo's Ginza Station mural Procession Spin. The original design got scrapped, the Kaneda bike was a doodle, and he wants to retire to sumi-e — context English-language press hasn't carried.
