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Robot, Imagica Make Live-Action/CG Project 'Luna'

The anime studio Robot and video post-production company Imagica announced on Saturday that they have partnered to produce a next-generation media project titled "Luna." The project combines live-action and CG images to create a modern retelling of the classic Japanese tale of Princess Kaguya. Production of the 17-minute project is expected to be completed at the beginning of September.

The project utilizes 8K resolution, the current highest resolution in digital imagery, and high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging techniques. 8K resolution offers 16 times the pixels of current standard HD images.

The production envisions "Luna" as a "fusion of visual beauty and story" and a "visual representation of light." The project aims to weave a beautiful story by synthesizing 8K and HDR techniques with CG composite images and color grading.

The story takes place on a fall day at a high school in Japan. The male high school student Shunsuke notices a beautiful girl in the classroom whom he doesn't know. Shunsuke grows close to Risa as he does astronomical observations in preparation for the school culture festival. But the girl is carrying a big secret.

Award-winning director Kazuma Ikeda (Servant X Service opening animation, Hero Bank ending animation) is helming the project. Kenya Hirata (SHINOBI - Heart Under Blade) is in charge of the script. Hirata previously wrote the script for the 2009 Oscar-winning short "La Maison en Petits Cubes" ("Tsumiki no Ie") short, which Robot animated. He also scripted Boku wa Bousan. (I am a Monk), which won a "Platinum Remi" award in the "Docu-Drama" category at the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival this year.

The project is currently in post production at a studio in Shibuya. Robot and Imagica plan to enter the project in international film festivals and use it as a demonstration for video equipment manufacturers in Japan.

Video content company Imagica Robot Holdings, the parent company of Imagica, announced last December that it was acquiring the Pokémon anime studio Oriental Light and Magic (OLM). The company also partnered with Sumitomo Corporation and the Cool Japan Fund last year to acquire SDI Media, a Los Angeles-based post-production firm that specializes in localizing foreign media.

Source: Anime! Anime! (Katsunori Takahashi)