Silent Cleaning, the 3D horror game we created for Kao Corporation, won two ACC Golds at the 2026 66th ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS, in Branded Communication Category B (Social Influence) and in Media Creative. The game also took ACC Bronze in Marketing Effectiveness and was named an ACC Finalist in Design, earning recognition in four categories in total.■ AwardsACC Gold　Branded Communication Category B (Social Influence)ACC Gold　Media CreativeACC Bronze　Marketing EffectivenessACC Finalist　Designhttps://www.acc-awards.com/festival/2026fes_result/About Silent CleaningSilent Cleaning is a 3D exploration horror action and cleaning simulation game, and the first game ever released by Kao's Home Care Division. Armed with real Kao cleaning products like Magiclean and Quickle, players clean up a villa while quietly evading the creature that haunts it.Kao wanted to reach younger audiences who rarely see TV commercials, and to get people talking about cleaning, a topic that seldom takes off on social media. We found the answer in game streaming and its passionate communities. Instead of a typical ad, we made a real horror game. We built it in Unity with 3DCG, just as a full-scale horror title would be built, and used Foley recording to capture how each product feels and sounds, down to the hiss of the spray. Players get a true-to-life product experience while they play.On launch day in August 2025, the game hit No. 1 on both X trends and LINE NEWS and topped Steam's recommended free games page. A collaboration with the popular streamer Gatchman set off a wave of playthroughs, including streams from creators with millions of subscribers. Sales of some featured products doubled, and more people, especially younger audiences, now think of Kao first when it comes to cleaning.A Nintendo Switch version followed in July 2026. It adds a new Less-Scary Mode so kids and players who shy away from horror can join in, and lets players tilt the controller for an even more realistic cleaning experience.Steam　https://store.steampowered.com/app/3833930Nintendo Switch　https://store-jp.nintendo.com/item/software/D70010000125311Official website　https://www.kao.co.jp/osouji/shizukana-osouji/Collaboration video with Gatchman　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_PLJJcm4GQ■ Selected AwardsCannes Lions 2026　Bronze Lion, Entertainment Lions for GamingYouTube Works Awards Japan 2026　Grand PrixGamification Award 2025 (SEGA XD)　Challenge AwardAbout ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDSThe ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS are organized by the All Japan Confederation of Creativity (ACC). The awards trace back to the ACC CM FESTIVAL, launched in 1961 to raise the quality of TV and radio commercials, and were relaunched in 2017 to recognize creativity in every field. This year's awards honor outstanding work across nine categories to help advance creativity in Japan.https://www.acc-awards.com/■ Credits (Excerpt)Client　Kao CorporationCreative Studio　Whatever Co.Creative Director　SOProducer / Strategic Director　Kei KanekoProducer / Planner / PR Planner　Yoriko IidaPlanner / Video Director　Rintaro ShimohamaProgrammer　Takashi Okada, Kazuya Nagamachi, Makoto Matsutake, Saqoosha, Tatsuya Kida3D CG Artist　Comomo KanayamaPR　Material Inc.Full credits are available on the Works page.https://whatever.co/en/work/silent-cleaning/■ Media ContactWhatever PREmail　press@whatever.co

Masashi Kawamura will join "An All-Out Talk on the Anime We're Betting Our Lives On," a talk session at Toranomon Advertising Festival 2026. Four people from the advertising world who are making original anime will take on one question: "Why animation, and why now?" Kawamura will talk about bringing the stop-motion samurai film HIDARI to feature length.Speakers: Kazuaki Kuribayashi, Kohei Kadowaki, Haruka Ichikawa, and Masashi Kawamura (Kadowaki will appear via pre-recorded video)Date: October 16 (Fri), 16:30–17:30Venue: TOKYO NODE, THEATER STAGEhttps://toradfes.com/

Lucinda Lin and Pearson Tsim of Whatever Taipei spoke at TIDAF, the Taipei International Digital Advertising Festival, in August 2026. A new note based on their talk explores the skills creators need to develop in the age of AI.https://note.com/whatever_co/n/n548968dd2d16

Whatever is featured in "The Optimal Approach for Art Directors and Designers," a new book from MdN that explores the background behind creative ideas and the logic of expression through the inputs and outputs of 183 leading creators.https://books.mdn.co.jp/books/3226303017/

everies, an AR app that lets you chat with all sorts of things around you, was selected as App of the Day on the App Store's Today tab.https://apps.apple.com/jp/story/id6796573449

Kenjiro Sese was featured in Creative Minds, Campaign Asia's weekly Q&A column in which APAC creatives answer 11 questions about their work and themselves.https://www.campaignasia.com/article/creative-minds-kenjiro-sese-whatever-the-worst-jobs-can-sometimes-be-the-best-ones/4szh4k19fctf50cjx4av64qc55

Masashi Kawamura will speak at Toranomon Advertising Festival 2026. In a session titled "How to Make Something No One Has Ever Seen," he will share the skills and mindset needed to create an unprecedented project, drawing on his experience making the stop-motion samurai film HIDARI.Date: October 11 (Sun), 13:30–14:30Venue: TOKYO NODE, HALL STAGEhttps://toradfes.com/

MoAR (Museum of AR) was featured in "The World of Digital Art," a special feature in the August issue of Nichijiren, the official journal of the federation of architectural office associations in Japan. The article introduces MoAR as an experience that uses architecture as a canvas for viewing digital art in AR.

everies, an AR app that lets you have conversations with the objects around you, was featured in "CREATIVE NAVI DIGITAL," a regular column in the October issue of Brain magazine.https://www.sendenkaigi.com/creative/books/brain_202610/

The official documentary podcast for the stop-motion samurai film HIDARI, "Frame by Frame The Making of a Timeless Film," is now streaming. Hosting the show are first-time film director Masashi Kawamura and amateur rakugo storyteller Murontei Pirika.HIDARI is a stop-motion samurai action film brought to life with hand-carved wooden puppets, produced together with dwarf studios and TECARAT. What began as a crowdfunding campaign has since grown into a pilot film, screenings at festivals in Japan and overseas, appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and the casting of Keanu Reeves in the lead voice role. Every step of the way, the project has been carried forward by the many people supporting it."Frame by Frame" follows all of that, from raising the funds to the work on set, with guests joining along the way to talk through everything it takes to bring a film to the world.New episodes are planned on a regular basis, and we would love for you to follow the show.◇ Show InformationTitle: Frame by Frame The Making of a Timeless FilmHosts: Masashi Kawamura (HIDARI original story, screenplay, director), Murontei Pirika (amateur rakugo storyteller)Where to listen:YouTube (video podcast): https://www.youtube.com/@teamhidariSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033XIx7KpIGF7BufPe0Y6RApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/id6795795425Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.jp/podcasts/75bca6e4-6241-436c-9a5a-291346afc0fa◇ About the Stop-Motion Samurai Film HIDARIGenre: Action, DramaTechnique: Stop-motion animationOriginal Story, Screenplay, Director: Masashi Kawamura (Whatever)Co-Director, Character Design: Iku Ogawa (dwarf studios)Character Design, Wood Carving, Art Direction: Takeshi Yashiro (Taiyo Kikaku / TECARAT)Producers: Noriko Matsumoto (nori / dwarf studios), Yusuke Tominaga (Whatever), Masami Ouchi (Taiyo Kikaku), and othersProduction Companies: dwarf studios / Whatever Co. / TECARAT▷ Official site: https://hidari-movie.com/▷ X: https://x.com/hidari_movie▷ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hidari_movie/▷ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamhidari

RakugakiAR has been officially registered on Edzip, a platform where teachers in Korea share the materials they use in class. It can now be used as educational content in Korean classrooms.Edzip helps teachers and education professionals find and adopt the right digital tools with ease. By offering information and hands-on opportunities across a wide range of EdTech products, Edzip supports meaningful innovation in how classes are taught.https://edzip.kr/learning-sw/6a1638fe5a2ee7c7724022ae

MAGIC is a streetwear collection by ANREALAGE's Kunihiko Morinaga, MagicianShin, and Masashi Kawamura that lets anyone become a magician just by wearing it. A new note asks all three about the story behind it — the balance they pursued between design, functionality, and the wonder of magic, why they refused to make it look like "magic clothing," and what it means to wear the aura of someone who can do magic.https://note.com/whatever_co/n/n0e627c0e42f7?hl=en

A new note shares the behind-the-scenes story of AKASAKA Motion Heritage, created as part of TBS's Akasaka Entertainment City project. How did the team digitally archive the movements of Akasaka Geisha Ikuko Akasaka and translate them into an experience for the city? Creative Director Shuhei Matsuyama discusses stripping back photorealism to draw out the pure beauty of her motion, the technical prep that accounts for 85% of the final work, and designing an experience where passersby become part of the piece without realizing it.https://note.com/whatever_co/n/ndb8b6971ee86?hl=en

Silent Cleaning, the 3D horror game that took streamers and socials by storm last summer and won the Grand Prix at the YouTube Works Awards Japan 2026, is now available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. A new "Less-Scary Mode" lets players new to horror and kids enjoy it too, and tilting the controller makes for an even more real, hands-on cleaning experience.https://store-jp.nintendo.com/item/software/D70010000125311

Whatever Taipei's Lucinda Lin and Pearson Tsim will be speaking at TIDAF, the Taipei International Digital Advertising Festival. This year's TIDAF theme is "Creative First, AI Second." In their session "Turning 'What If' into Reality," they explore how technology can serve imagination. August 19 (Wed), 10:50–11:30.https://adm.com.tw/article/6a45fe4cfd89780001ebbd11

A new note introduces a selection of personal "My App" projects built by members of Whatever's engineering team, along with their own thoughts on why they made them. From productivity tools to apps for family and pets to pure passion projects, each one started from a very personal place — a glimpse into the source of Whatever's "make anything" spirit.https://note.com/whatever_co/n/ne51d6d6ac771

Sumu Ueno East, an experimental apartment hotel that opened this February, features the customizable "Sumu Wall" system. Born from the question of how to make a hotel room feel truly yours even while traveling, the system is the subject of a new interview in which Designer/Planner Kyosuke Ishita and Spatial Designer/Director Takeshi Tanio share the thinking behind its design.https://sumu-hotel.com/business/media/4uwi23qdvnx/

KAKEZAN 2026 is an event that aims to advance “Kakezan,” the creation of new value through collaboration that transcends the boundaries between industries. The theme of this first edition was “Heritage × Innovation.” With the aim of aligning perspectives on the inventions that will become “the new normal” and of building new partnerships, the event also served as the unveiling of the Inventor Garage, a new base created by renovating the press building of Toyota Motor East Japan’s former Higashi-Fuji Plant, which has delivered roughly 7.52 million vehicles through the hands of a cumulative total of more than 7,000 people.In addition to the Woven by Toyota brand visual refresh that Whatever handled, for this event the studio was responsible for the concept work, visual design, and exhibition planning and production, giving form to Woven by Toyota’s new vision and the innovation it is advancing. At the venue, alongside the new brand visuals, technologies that connect to the social systems of the future were presented through video and spatial direction. These included the Woven City AI Vision Engine, which boasts top-tier performance as a Vision Language Model (VLM), and the Woven City Integrated ANZEN System, in which people, mobility technology, and infrastructure come together as one to support safety. In addition, numerous proof-of-concept experiments and prototypes by the Inventors participating in Woven City ahead of others were on display, making this an event that marked a firm step toward the future.GraphicsThe key visuals and graphics were developed around the concept of Toyota’s knowledge, Woven by Toyota’s technologies, and the efforts of various Inventors being “multiplied,” Kakezan, together to create new value that does not yet exist today. Nine Woven by Toyota Technologies on DisplayAiming for a society with zero traffic accidents, this section introduced the technologies that Woven by Toyota is developing, technologies that connect to the very social systems of the future by linking the three elements of people, mobility technology, and infrastructure. Through exhibits using video and spatial direction, and videos introducing each technology, they were conveyed to visitors in an experiential way.Woven City Integrated ANZEN SystemWoven City AI Vision EngineWoven City Data FabricWoven City Infra HubWoven City xEV-VPPWoven City Digital KAIZEN PlatformWoven City Robot PlatformAutomated DrivingAreneWoven City InventorsThis section introduced the facilities and services of Woven City, a “test course for mobility,” as well as the efforts of the Inventors who are conducting proof-of-concept experiments ahead of others.Toyota Woven City Inventor GarageA development base born within Toyota Woven City in April 2026. Created by renovating the press building of the Higashi-Fuji Plant, this facility is a space that carries forward the history of monozukuri (manufacturing) while connecting it to the innovation of the future. Equipped with an expansive monozukuri area, proof-of-concept spaces, and lodging facilities, it accelerates the realization of the inventions and proof-of-concept experiments of the Inventors who gather in Woven City.LinksOfficial release from Toyota Motor Corporation and Woven by Toyota, Inc.Woven by Toyota, Inc. – KAKEZAN 2026 Highlight Reel: YouTubeFeature on “Toyota Times”

Marking the milestone of Toyota's 100th anniversary, Woven by Toyota has announced a new visual identity. In addition to the logo refresh, corporate website, corporate video, and Woven by Toyota - internal corporate goods have been renewed. The planning, design, and production were handled by Whatever.BackgroundWoven by Toyota's mission is "Driver of Mobility Transformation: Continuously challenging the conventions of mobility through human-centered innovation." The new visual identity was created to bring this mission to life.What the New Logo RepresentsThe renewed brand logo retains the hexagonal outline of the previous logo, with six lines weaving three roads that represent People, Mobility Technology, and Infrastructure. Three colors : red (symbolizing Toyota), gray (harmony of diverse voices and ideas) and black (strength toward implementation) form these intersecting roads, expressing how their combined power continues to expand.The red road representing Toyota overlaps with the black and gray "×" that signifies Kakezan (multiplication), extending that power even further. "Kakezan" means creating a force greater than any one party could achieve alone by multiplying diverse strengths, and the way these roads are woven together symbolizes how the power we create together, and the possibilities of mobility, will spread out to the world.A Comprehensive Brand RefreshWe conducted a comprehensive brand refresh for Woven by Toyota, encompassing logo design, website (woven.toyota) content and visual asset updates, corporate video production, and Woven by Toyota - internal corporate merchandise.・ Logo Design・ Woven by Toyota - Internal Corporate Goods・ Websitehttps://woven.toyota/・Corporate Video(From the website top page: https://woven.toyota/)Related LinksWoven by Toyota OfficialWoven by Toyota Logo AnnouncementToyota Times

Masashi Kawamura will participate in IGNITE as a Guest Lecturer. IGNITE is a University of Tokyo and Sony Group program cultivating the next generation of innovators across technology, business, and art.Applications open July 15 (Wed) to August 24 (Mon), 2026.https://ignite-your-ambition.com/

Campaign Asia featured Silent Cleaning, the 3D horror game we created with Kao that won Bronze in Entertainment Lions for Gaming at Cannes Lions 2026. It was the only winner from APAC in this category.https://www.campaignasia.com/article/whatever-s-silent-cleaning-wins-bronze-at-cannes-lions-2026/4xyfxjp9qbe1nz2zwhgw12agmw

Masashi Kawamura was featured in Campaign Asia, sharing what anime gets right about modern fandom that Western franchises are still catching up to.https://www.campaignasia.com/article/anime-vs-western-superheroes-asian-content-winning-attention/40qbhn8x9a05f15g09kxkyq0xr

TOKYO, June 24, 2026. Whatever Co. (headquartered in Tokyo and led by CEO Yusuke Tominaga, hereafter “Whatever”) launched everies, an AR app that lets you have a conversation with the everyday objects around you. The app is available now on the App Store worldwide.https://apps.apple.com/app/everies/id6504628174Whatever is the creator of ‘RakugakiAR’, an AR app that recorded around 460,000 downloads in its first five days and topped the paid app charts on the App Store in eight countries. everies carries that same creativity forward. Powered by Google’s generative AI, Gemini, it brings together AR, large language models (LLMs), and voice synthesis to deliver a way of talking with everyday objects that has never been possible before.The app's beta version won the Best Use of ARCore award at Google's Gemini API Developer Competition, chosen from roughly 3,000 entries worldwide.About everiesHold up your camera, and the objects around you blink their eyes open. Tap one, and it starts to talk. A cup, a stuffed animal, a vending machine. Each becomes its own one-of-a-kind character, an “everie.” Speak to it to have a conversation. everies is a new kind of AR app that sparks your curiosity and makes the world a little more fun to experience.What would your mug sound like if it could talk? What is that stuffed animal really thinking? Does the vending machine you pass every day have a personality of its own? When every object around you suddenly finds its voice, everies turns those what-ifs into something real.How to playOpen the app and point your camera.The cup on your desk or the plush on your shelf blinks, point to an object and its eyes open and looks right back at you.Tap anything that catches your eye.Each one becomes a character full of personality, an “everie.” Even objects with no obvious face work, so go ahead and tap whatever you are curious about.Speak, and it answers.“Why are you round?” “Did anything good happen today?” Whatever you ask, you get an answer that feels true to that everie.What you can doA unique personality in every object.Cups, stuffed animals, stationery, pet supplies, even a little pebble. Every object your camera sees takes on its own cute face, voice, personality, and way of speaking. The same cup will never produce the same character twice.Talk out loud, as long as you like.Tap the mic button to speak to any everie that catches your interest, and it answers in its own character.Keep your favorites.Save the everies you love, and the next time you open the app they are right where you left them, ready to pick up the conversation. Little by little, the objects around you become familiar friends. You can also record those chats as video and share them with family and friends.Comment from Creative Director Kyosuke TaniguchiWhen I was a kid, I was hooked on a children’s TV show where chanting a little magic spell made crayons and clocks start to talk. The wish to talk with the things around us is something almost everyone has felt at least once, I think. Japan even has the old idea of ‘yaoyorozu no kami’, the countless gods believed to dwell in every object. everies is our attempt to give that imagination a form through generative AI. Generative AI still carries some negative impressions, but I want to hold on to its potential as a creative tool that fills people with wonder.App detailsName　everiesRelease date　June 24, 2026Price　300 JPYPlatform　iOS (App Store)Requirements　iPhone running iOS 16 or laterDownload　https://apps.apple.com/app/everies/id6504628174*Trademark registration pendingAbout Whatever Co.Whatever is a global creative studio with offices in Tokyo, New York, Taipei, and Berlin. Guided by the motto “Make Whatever, Rules Whatever,” we combine original ideas, design, and technology to take on genre-less creative challenges, from advertising, events, and TV programming to service and product development, including our own original projects. We keep creating ideas that no one in the world has seen before, yet everyone in the world can relate to. Our signature original projects include the AR app RakugakiAR and the digital art gallery MoAR (Museum of AR).Address　WHEREVER 7F, 7-2-8 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, JapanWebsite　https://whatever.coInstagram　@whtevr_coX　@whtevr_coFacebook　https://www.facebook.com/whtevr.co/MEDIA ASSETSImage assets for this release are available here.https://bit.ly/everies_pressMEDIA CONTACTWhatever Co. Press, Rika OnoEmail  press@whatever.coTel  +81 3 6427 6022

Silent Cleaning, the 3D horror game we created with Kao, won a Bronze Lion in the Entertainment Lions for Gaming category at Cannes Lions, the world's largest creative awards.https://www.lovethework.com/en/awards/winners-shortlists/cannes-lions/entertainment-lions-for-gaming?tag=publication+dates%40%40year%40%402026

We planned and produced Crazy Journey Travel Agency, an experiential event created as part of TBS's Akasaka Entertainment City Project. The WORKS page is now live, and Creative Director Kenjiro Sese shares the story behind the project on note.A reverse brief built around the question of what we wanted to spark in the cityAn experience design that deliberately narrows the entry point and holds backThe research and craft behind creating a fake that looks as real as it possibly canWORKS https://whatever.co/ja/work/crazy-journey-travel-agency/note https://note.com/whatever_co/n/nad1f5512c464

Shiny Lee, Creative Director of Whatever Taipei, is joining the jury for London International Awards (LIA) Chinese Creativity 2026, the only global award dedicated to the finest Chinese language creative work.https://liachinese.com/en/

Shiny Lee, Creative Director of Whatever Taipei, is joining the jury for YouTube Works Awards 2026. YouTube Works Awards celebrates the most effective ad campaigns on YouTube over the past year.https://www.youtube.com/intl/ALL_tw/ads/resources/news-events/youtube-works-awards/

Silent Cleaning, the 3D horror game we created with Kao, won the Grand Prix at YouTube Works Awards Japan 2026. The game is free to play on Steam.https://business.google.com/jp/ad-solutions/youtube-ads/works-awards/#2026-winners

Masashi Kawamura served on the editorial committee for "Art 1", a new high school art textbook published by Mitsumura Tosho. His work is also featured in the "Video Media Expression: An Artist's Approach" section.https://www.mitsumura-tosho.co.jp/kyokasho/k-bijutsu/08bi

HIDARI, a stop-motion samurai film currently in development by Whatever Co. (headquartered in Tokyo; Yusuke Tominaga, CEO; hereinafter "Whatever") in collaboration with dwarf studios and TECARAT, has announced Keanu Reeves as the lead voice of the film. The announcement was made during a presentation at the Annecy Animation Showcase, held as part of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where creator, writer, and director Masashi Kawamura and producer Noriko Matsumoto took the stage to present the project's vision for the feature film.The Annecy Animation Showcase is a dedicated animation program within the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, offering five carefully selected projects from around the world the opportunity to present to international distributors, investors, and industry professionals.(For more on HIDARI's selection for the Annecy Animation Showcase, see our press release dated April 20, 2026:https://whatever.co/news/press-release-hidari-cannes-film-festival-20260420/Lead Voice CastKeanu Reeves stars as the lead voice of Hidari Jingoro, the protagonist of HIDARI, marking his first role in a Japanese original production. Known for a wide range of films including Speed, The Matrix, and John Wick, Reeves has earned acclaim both in Japan and internationally for his quiet yet commanding screen presence. He has also lent his voice to animated works such as Sonic × Shadow: Tokyo Mission and Toy Story 4. In HIDARI, he brings to life the inner conflict of Jingoro, a man consumed by revenge yet unable to abandon his instinct to create.Keanu ReevesAs a remarkably eclectic actor, Reeves has made an indelible mark on the world of entertainment through the diverse roles he has played. He is best known for his starring roles in "The Matrix" and "John Wick" franchises.Reeves made his comic book writing debut in 2021 with BRZRKR, a sixteen-issue and graphic-novel limited series distributed through BOOM! Studios, which quickly became the highest-selling original comic book series debut in over 25 years. In 2023, he returned to the big screen in "John Wick: Chapter 4," which became the highest-grossing film in the franchise. His other recent projects include "Outcome," "Good Fortune," "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," "The Matrix Resurrections," "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum," "Always Be My Maybe," "Toy Story 4," and the video game Cyberpunk 2077.He is currently filming "Shiver," directed by Tim Miller and has completed production on "The Entertainment System Is Down," directed by Ruben Östlund.Reeves recently made his Broadway debut in "Waiting for Godot" playing Estragon opposite Alex Winter and directed by Jamie Lloyd.   It was a very successful 16 week run from September to January 2026.  This summer Reeves will reunite with his band Dogstar.  They are releasing  a new album, "All In Now" on May 29, 2016. The band will begin an international tour beginning at the end of May. In 2023, he co-wrote a New York Times bestselling book, "The Book of Elsewhere," with China Miéville based on the his best selling comic book, BRZRKR  Raised in Toronto, Reeves performed in various local theater productions and on television before relocating to Los Angeles.LEAD CAST COMMENT: Keanu ReevesI’m thrilled by the vision behind Hidari. From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something truly extraordinary. It has all the makings of an exceptional film, one I’m excited to see and eager to be part of. I believe this project has the potential to bring something very special to audiences worldwide.DIRECTOR’S COMMENT: MASASHI KAWAMURAOne of the films we referenced while creating the HIDARI pilot film and developing the screenplay was John Wick. And when I made my own personal dream list of actors I hoped could someday be part of the feature adaptation, the very first name I wrote down was Keanu Reeves. I never imagined that he would actually join the project. Even now, it still feels surreal to me. But with such an incredible actor becoming part of HIDARI, our entire team is more motivated than ever to create something truly special together with him.PRODUCER’S COMMENT: NORIKO MATSUMOTOEver since we completed the pilot film, so many people around the world have responded to it, and it has been a real joy to see new collaborators join us because of the strength of the work itself. This is still not a large-scale project with a massive team, but the fact that the people we genuinely hoped would join us are finding their way to HIDARI gives us tremendous confidence and encouragement. Thanks to Keanu, our Jingoro has finally found his “voice.” And the fact that he called the project “exciting” means so much to us. It feels like recognition from Hollywood itself. Step by step, with the support of these wonderful collaborators, we hope to keep moving this project forward with strength and passion.About HIDARIHIDARI is a stop-motion period film inspired by the legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro, a mysterious figure whose existence remains uncertain yet who left behind countless works and tales. Brought to life through intricately carved wooden puppets that mirror his craft, the film is being co-developed by three companies: Whatever, the creative studio co-founded by director Masashi Kawamura, together with two internationally acclaimed stop-motion studios, dwarf studios and TECARAT.The proof-of-concept film, released on YouTube, has surpassed 4.9 million views with over 120,000 subscribers, sparking widespread attention across social media and international press. It has also received awards at more than 20 film festivals worldwide, an exceptional achievement for a proof-of-concept work.SynopsisSet in Edo-period Japan, HIDARI weaves together real historical events and figures with original characters to tell a story of revenge.Jingoro, a master craftsman of his time, is caught in a conspiracy during the reconstruction of Edo Castle, losing his mentor, the woman he loves, and even his right arm.Barely surviving, Jingoro is transformed into an agent of vengeance. Replacing his lost arm with a weaponized prosthetic, the tools he once used to carve wood are reborn as instruments of destruction. Accompanied by his partner, the “Sleeping Cat,” he sets out on a journey of revenge, only to find himself drawn into an even greater conspiracy.Power struggles within the shogunate, advancing mechanical soldiers, and a transforming Edo Castle all threaten to consume him. As everything closes in, something within him begins to change.HIDARI is a story of revenge and rebirth: of a man who once lived to create, only to lose himself in destruction, and ultimately rediscover both himself and the meaning of his life.Project OverviewTitle: HIDARI (Stop-Motion Samurai Film) Genre: Action / Drama Format / Length: Stop-motion / 90 minutesDirector & Writer: Masashi Kawamura Co-Director & Character Design: Iku Ogawa Character & Wood Sculpture / Production Design: Takeshi Yashiro Producers: Noriko Matsumoto / Yusuke Tominaga / Masami Ouchi and others Production: dwarf studios / Whatever Co. / TECARATVideo MaterialsProof-of-Concept Film (5:32): https://youtu.be/DpefYPLH67AMaking-of Video:  https://youtu.be/VHO6rTyyG6MOfficial LinksOfficial Website: https://hidari-movie.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/hidari_movieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hidari_movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamhidari 　©︎dwarf/Whatever Co./TECARATDIRECTOR:  Masashi KawamuraMasashi Kawamura is a filmmaker and creative director, and co-founder of Whatever, with over 20 years of experience working globally. His work spans commercials, music videos, television programs, and large-scale installations, and has been internationally recognized with awards including the Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, an International Emmy nomination, and Grand Prix at One Show and Clio.PRODUCER:  NORIKO MATSUMOTO Noriko Matsumoto began her career in commercial production and joined the founding of dwarf studios. She has produced works including Rilakkuma and Kaoru (Netflix) and Bottle George (Academy Awards shortlisted).PRODUCTION TEAMWhatever Co. [Creative Direction]Whatever is a global creative studio with offices in Tokyo, New York, Taipei, and Berlin. The studio works across a wide range of disciplines, including advertising, events, television programming, and product/service development.By bringing together internationally recognized creative and craft talent with teams capable of executing cutting-edge technological development, Whatever continues to create ideas that “no one has seen before, yet everyone can relate to.” https://whatever.codwarf studios (AOI Pro. Inc.) [Producer/ Animation Studio]Founded in September 2003, dwarf is an animation studio internationally recognized for its high-quality stop-motion works. The studio has created numerous characters and original content, including NHK’s iconic character Domo, and has earned acclaim both in Japan and internationally.In addition to original titles such as Komaneko, which enjoyed a long theatrical run in France, and Mogu & Perol, a CG series co-produced with France and Taiwan, dwarf actively collaborates with a wide range of popular characters and major IPs.Recent works include the Netflix series Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019), Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure (2022), Pokémon Concierge, and the short film Bottle George, a collaboration between Akihiro Nishino and Daisuke Tsutsumi, which was shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards. https://dw-f.jp/TECARAT (Taiyo Kikaku Co., Ltd.) [Puppet Fabrication / Art Production]TECARAT is a studio specializing in content production and visual/art design for advertising and film. Built on extensive experience and craftsmanship, the team develops story-driven brand content, animation production, and art direction.The name “TECARAT” derives from the Japanese word te (“hand”), reflecting the belief that ideas are ultimately brought to life by human hands. The studio aims to create visually memorable works that leave a lasting impression on audiences. https://tecarat.jp/Questry Co., Ltd. [Content Finance Structuring]Questry operates with the mission “to make Japanese content the best in the world through the power of finance.” The company engages in content planning and management, content finance structuring, and digital securities.By leveraging broad financial expertise, Questry aims to build a new vertically integrated financial ecosystem for Japan’s content industry, while providing global investors with access to content investment opportunities.https://questry.co.jp/MEDIA CONTACTWhatever PREmail: press@whatever.co

HIDARI director Masashi Kawamura and producer Noriko Matsumoto are featured in a new interview on CINEMORE.https://cinemore.jp/jp/news-feature/4504/article_p1.html

A new article from Whatever's Ground Control, Rika Ono, is now out. https://note.com/whatever_co/n/nb297ffb23a2b

Our 3D horror game Silent Cleaning, a collaboration with Kao, landed an interview feature in Kwai to Yoo vol.022 by Kadokawa. Producer SO and Yoriko Iida sat down for an in-depth conversation in Japan's leading horror entertainment magazine.https://kadobun.jp/kwai_yoo/new-magazine.html

A new roundtable, "What Makes a Designer's Portfolio Stand Out to Hiring Managers?", featuring Whatever Senior Designer Yuichi Takatani, Shinsuke Kitomi (BUTTON), and Masayuki Hosoo (Spicato), is now out. https://note.com/whatever_co/n/n81dd04d7b1cb

HIDARI, a stop-motion samurai film currently in development by Whatever Co. (headquartered in Tokyo; Yusuke Tominaga, CEO; hereinafter “Whatever”)　in collaboration with dwarf studios (AOI Pro. Inc.) and TECARAT, has been selected for Cannes Animation at the Marché du Film, held in conjunction with the 79th Cannes Film Festival.On May 17, 2026 (local time), Masashi Kawamura (creator, writer, and director) will take the stage in Cannes alongside producer Noriko Matsumoto. They will screen the proof-of-concept film and present the current status and future vision for HIDARI as a feature-length film.HIDARI is a stop-motion period film inspired by the legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro, a mysterious figure whose existence remains uncertain. Brought to life through intricately carved wooden puppets, the film reflects the spirit of his craft. The pilot has surpassed 4.9 million views on YouTube and gained over 120,000 subscribers, drawing global attention across social media and press. It has also received numerous awards at more than 20 film festivals worldwide.The project has been selected for the “Film Frontier – Feature Animation Creator Support” program, part of the Cultural Arts Activity Infrastructure Enhancement Fund (Creator Support Fund), administered by the Japan Arts Council with funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan), and is currently being developed with this support.The project is being co-developed by three companies: Whatever, the creative studio co-founded by director Masashi Kawamura, together with two internationally acclaimed stop-motion studios, dwarf studios and TECARAT.On the financing side, the project is supported by Questry, a content finance company dedicated to bringing original Japanese content to global audiences. The team is currently seeking additional partners and continuing to secure further financing as development progresses.(For more details on the partnership with Questry: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000052.000040758.html ABOUT CANNES ANIMATION / ANNECY ANIMATION SHOWCASECannes Animation is a dedicated program within the Marché du Film, the world’s largest film market held alongside the Cannes Film Festival.In partnership with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the Annecy Animation Showcase presents five carefully selected animation projects from around the world, offering opportunities for presentations, panel discussions, and networking.Many projects selected for the Showcase go on to become completed and released feature films. Past selections include Hina (dir. Kenji Iwaisawa, selected in 2023) and Sunny (based on the manga by Taiyo Matsumoto, selected in 2025 and also produced by dwarf).More recently, A New Dawn (dir. Yoshitoshi Shinomiya), selected in 2024, was officially selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and released theatrically in Japan in March 2026. ABOUT HIDARI SynopsisSet in Edo-period Japan, HIDARI weaves together real historical events and figures with original characters to tell a story of revenge. Jingoro, a master craftsman of his time, is caught in a conspiracy during the reconstruction of Edo Castle, losing his mentor, the woman he loves, and even his right arm. Barely surviving, Jingoro is transformed into an agent of vengeance. Replacing his lost arm with a weaponized prosthetic, the tools he once used to carve wood are reborn as instruments of destruction. Accompanied by his partner, the “Sleeping Cat,” he sets out on a journey of revenge, only to find himself drawn into an even greater conspiracy. Power struggles within the shogunate, advancing mechanical soldiers, and a transforming Edo Castle all threaten to consume him. As everything closes in, something within him begins to change. HIDARI is a story of revenge and rebirth: of a man who once lived to create, only to lose himself in destruction, and ultimately rediscover both himself and the meaning of his life. Project Overview Title: HIDARI (Stop-Motion Samurai Film)Genre: Action / DramaFormat / Length: Stop-motion / 90 minutesDirector & Writer: Masashi KawamuraCo-Director & Character Design: Iku OgawaCharacter & Wood Sculpture / Production Design: Takeshi YashiroProducers: Noriko Matsumoto / Yusuke Tominaga / Masami Ouchi and othersProduction: dwarf studios / Whatever Co. / TECARATVideo Materials Proof-of-Concept Film (5:32): https://youtu.be/DpefYPLH67AMaking-of Video: https://youtu.be/VHO6rTyyG6MOfficial Links Official Website: https://hidari-movie.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/hidari_movieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hidari_movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamhidari ©︎dwarf/Whatever Co./TECARATSelected Awards & Official Screenings (Partial)Awards:– The Webby Awards (28th), Best Video: Animation (2024)– JPPA Awards 2024, Grand Prize (Sound Category)– New York Asian Film Festival (22nd), Special Mention (2023)– Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival, Excellence Award (2023)– New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival (10th) (2023)Theatrical Release (proof-of-concept):– Shinjuku Wald 9 / T-Joy Umeda (Apr 21 – May 4, 2023)– Shibuya Pilot Film Festival (Dec 14, 2024)Official Selections:– StopTrik International Film Festival, International Competition (2024)– Hiroshima Animation Season 2024– Seoul Indie-AniFest (19th, 2023)– ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival (6th, 2023)– KinoDrome International Motion Picture & Screenplay Festival (2023)– Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2023– Niigata International Animation Film Festival (2023)– Tokushima New Normal Film Festival (2023) DIRECTOR’S COMMENT: MASASHI KAWAMURA It is a great honor to participate in the Cannes Film Festival in this way, something I have long dreamed of. Since completing the proof-of-concept film, our team has been continuously working on developing the feature screenplay and building partnerships. Creating a period action film using hand-carved wooden puppets, animated frame by frame, with the intensity of anime. This is a uniquely Japanese form of expression. Through this opportunity at the Annecy Animation Showcase, we hope to share our passion for this project with film professionals around the world. – Masashi Kawamura is a filmmaker and creative director, and co-founder of Whatever, with over 20 years of experience working globally. His work spans commercials, music videos, television programs, and large-scale installations, and has been internationally recognized with awards including the Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, an International Emmy nomination, and Grand Prix at One Show and Clio. PRODUCER’S COMMENT: NORIKO MATSUMOTO It has been three years since we completed the proof-of-concept film. Being given the opportunity to pitch at the Annecy Animation Showcase within Cannes Animation is incredibly meaningful, as it reflects the belief and expectations that HIDARI can become a feature-length film with a powerful story. As a producer specializing in stop-motion animation, I have worked on many projects, but this one represents a challenge on an unprecedented scale. Through this opportunity, I hope to share not only the full scope of the story, but also the exciting journey we are on, and to find partners from around the world to help bring this project to life. – Noriko Matsumoto began her career in commercial production and joined the founding of dwarf studios. She has produced works including Rilakkuma and Kaoru (Netflix) and Bottle George (Academy Awards shortlisted). PRODUCTION TEAM Whatever Co. [Creative Direction] Whatever is a global creative studio with offices in Tokyo, New York, Taipei, and Berlin. The studio works across a wide range of disciplines, including advertising, events, television programming, and product/service development. By bringing together internationally recognized creative and craft talent with teams capable of executing cutting-edge technological development, Whatever continues to create ideas that “no one has seen before, yet everyone can relate to.”https://whatever.co dwarf studios (AOI Pro. Inc.) [Producer/ Animation Studio] Founded in September 2003, dwarf is an animation studio internationally recognized for its high-quality stop-motion works. The studio has created numerous characters and original content, including NHK’s iconic character Domo, and has earned acclaim both in Japan and internationally. In addition to original titles such as Komaneko, which enjoyed a long theatrical run in France, and Mogu & Perol, a CG series co-produced with France and Taiwan, dwarf actively collaborates with a wide range of popular characters and major IPs. Recent works include the Netflix series Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019), Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure (2022), Pokémon Concierge, and the short film Bottle George, a collaboration between Akihiro Nishino and Daisuke Tsutsumi, which was shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards.https://dw-f.jp/ TECARAT (Taiyo Kikaku Co., Ltd.) [Puppet Fabrication / Art Production] TECARAT is a studio specializing in content production and visual/art design for advertising and film. Built on extensive experience and craftsmanship, the team develops story-driven brand content, animation production, and art direction. The name “TECARAT” derives from the Japanese word te (“hand”), reflecting the belief that ideas are ultimately brought to life by human hands. The studio aims to create visually memorable works that leave a lasting impression on audiences.https://tecarat.jp/ Questry Co., Ltd. [Content Finance Structuring]Questry operates with the mission “to make Japanese content the best in the world through the power of finance.” The company engages in content planning and management, content finance structuring, and digital securities. By leveraging broad financial expertise, Questry aims to build a new vertically integrated financial ecosystem for Japan’s content industry, while providing global investors with access to content investment opportunities.https://questry.co.jp/ MEDIA ASSETSPlease download press materials from the link below:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KhMQIuKguI3lrr04JKd8aPKV4IWNq853?usp=drive_link MEDIA CONTACTWhatever PREmail: press@whatever.co

The AR Live for Kenshi Yonezu's "LOST CORNER" has received an ADC Award. Art Director Yuichi Takatani was recognized at the awards ceremony. https://www.tokyoadc.com/new/winners/index.html

Whatever senior designer Yuichi Takatani is featured on Sumu Lab, talking about the story behind the Sumu logo and its custom typeface "Sumoji." https://sumu-hotel.com/business/media/zdppcoh6_cz/

Yusuke Tominaga will be speaking at Sumu Craft Lab KYOTO 2026 on April 17. He will join the talk session "Project Design: Connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, Local and Global" as a guest speaker. https://sumucraftlabkyoto2026.peatix.com/

Whatever engineer and programmer Kazuto Omori's article is now out, sharing what years of making things across wildly different fields taught him about curiosity. https://note.com/whatever_co/n/n4fa979cdc923

Whatever copywriter Natsuki Morishita was featured on Sumu Lab, Sumu's owned media, sharing the process behind the brand name and concept statement. https://sumu-hotel.com/business/media/321d2o0zs/

We'll be exhibiting "D.E.A.D. (Digital Employment After Death)" at Death Fes 2026, opening April 11 at Shibuya Hikarie in Tokyo. D.E.A.D. is an installation where you declare your stance: would you allow yourself to be "resurrected" after death, using your personal data and technologies such as AI and CGI?https://deathfes.jp/

What does it take for an overseas branch to truly last? From Tokyo, New York, Taipei and Berlin, Whatever Taipei stands out for delivering locally rooted creative work with real impact. https://note.com/whatever_co/n/n39d375370c30

An interview with Michiko Sakashita (Miraikan) and Masashi Kawamura (Whatever) is now featured on "Nomura no Kurasuma." Through the permanent exhibition "Park of Aging," they explore how aging can be transformed into a more positive experience. https://www.kurasumai.jp/column/lifestyle_00056.html

Whatever is featured again this year in MdN Designers File 2026. https://books.mdn.co.jp/books/3225303036/

The behind-the-scenes story of the brand development for the apartment hotel Sumu (Part 1) is now live. Yusuke and Masashi share insights into the creative process behind the project. https://sumu-hotel.com/business/media/ss5pwbnlrs0c/

Shinya Fujiwara, Planner / Creative Director at Whatever, will be speaking at CASE STUDY, a talk session that dives into the behind-the-scenes of digital creativity, on Jan 23. He'll be joining the session "Crosstalk: EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai Edition". https://casestudy2026.peatix.com/

From a science museum to a creative studio. Yukie Sonoyama, Associate Producer at Whatever, shares her journey. She talks about learning and taking on new challenges, behind-the-scenes stories from "Park of Aging", and Whatever's unique creative culture. https://note.com/whatever_co/n/ne9ad579213c9

Kao's horror game "Silent Cleaning", which we created, has won the Challenge Award at the "Gamification Award 2025," hosted by Sega XD. https://segaxd.co.jp/news/newsrelease/d2ab7d0b27d502dc16ab5e73ec4f6f4b5d3429d0.html

Whatever's first-ever educational course, How to make Whatever, opens at Sendenkaigi on Thursday, January 15, 2026.How do you come up with ideas, and how do you actually bring them to life? This hands-on course shares Whatever's approach to creative problem-solving, the process we use to turn ideas into reality, and the team culture that makes it all possible. Things we've never opened up about outside the studio until now.What you'll learnIdeation and project planningMasashi Kawamura, Yusuke Tominaga, Saqoosha, and a wide range of creators on the front lines of Whatever's branding, film, experience, and tech work will walk you through how we actually plan and develop projects across these different fields.Prototyping and technologyLearn how to rapidly prototype ideas and validate them, and how to use technology as a tool for bringing concepts to life.Team design and organizational structureUnderstand how to make a team of diverse creators work together, and the organizational know-how behind successful global projects and in-house initiatives.Practical assignments and project supportApply what you've learned through hands-on assignments designed to sharpen the way you nurture an idea from spark to reality.Who this course is forThis course is designed for anyone looking to grow their creativity and expand the possibilities of their business or communication work.Anyone who wants to “make things” across categories such as advertising, entertainment, film, and technologyCopywriters and planners who can generate ideas but struggle to chart a path to executionBrand managers and new business leads who want to strengthen their organization's ability to createDesigners and engineers who want to learn how to quickly prototype and validate ideasAnyone planning to launch co-creation projects on a global scaleCourse detailsStart date: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 19:00–21:00 (10 sessions total)Schedule: January 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 26Venue: Sendenkaigi Omotesando Seminar Room (in-person)Capacity: 20 participantsTuition: ¥150,000 (¥165,000 incl. tax)Free trial sessionAhead of the main course, we're holding a free online trial session where you can get a feel for what the course covers and what the practical assignments are like.Date and time: Thursday, November 27, 19:00–20:30Format: Live onlineSpeakers: Masashi Kawamura, Yusuke Tominaga, SaqooshaDetails and registration: https://www.sendenkaigi.com/creative/courses/whatever_class/Session 1. Thinking and Making ①: FoundationsSpeakers: Masashi Kawamura (Creative Director / CCO), Yusuke Tominaga (Producer / CEO), Saqoosha (Programmer / CTO)Session 2. Making Anything ①: BrandSpeakers: Shinya Fujiwara (Planner / Creative Director), Kei Kaneko (Business / Strategic Director), Yuichi Takatani (Art Director / Senior Designer)Session 3. Making Anything ②: FilmSpeakers: Masashi Kawamura (Creative Director / CCO), Yukie Aihara (Producer), Yuichi Takatani (Art Director / Senior Designer)Session 4. Making Anything ③: ExperienceSpeakers: Shinya Fujiwara (Planner / Creative Director), Kyosuke Taniguchi (Creative Director), Ryo Fukuchi (Producer)Session 5. Making Anything ④: TechSpeakers: Ayako Watanabe (Producer / Project Director), Genki Toyama (Technical Director / Programmer), Kazuto Omori (Engineer / Programmer)Session 6. Practical Assignment Interim ReviewSpeakers: Masashi Kawamura (Creative Director / CCO), Yusuke Tominaga (Producer / CEO), Saqoosha (Programmer / CTO)Session 7. Making Anything ⑤: GlobalSpeakers: Masashi Kawamura (Creative Director / CCO), Shiny Lee (Creative Director), Saori Nakakaya (Executive Producer)Session 8. Making Anything ⑥: In-House ProjectsSpeakers: Saqoosha (Programmer / CTO), Yoshihiro Mune (Designer / Creative Director), Kyosuke Taniguchi (Creative Director)Session 9. Making Anything ⑦: TeamSpeakers: Yusuke Tominaga (Producer / CEO), Yuta Inoue (Corporate Development Director), Kei Kaneko (Business / Strategic Director)Session 10. Thinking and Making ②: PracticeSpeakers: Masashi Kawamura (Creative Director / CCO), Yusuke Tominaga (Producer / CEO), Saqoosha (Programmer / CTO)

An interview with the team behind Kao's horror game "Silent Cleaning", created in collaboration with Kao, is featured in the latest issue of CGWORLD vol.328.https://cgworld.jp/magazine/cgw326.html