Chocolate Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yusuke Watanabe) is an original theatrical animation “KILLTUBE” (Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi / 20 2026 (scheduled to be completed in 2016) is the 50th Annucy International Animation Film Festival (scheduled to be held from June 21 to June 27, 2026) We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the in Progress (WIP) category.
“WORK IN PROGRESS”, which was selected for “KillTube” this time, is a section that attracts a lot of attention along with competitions at film festivals. Director Kazuaki Kuribayashi and others are planning to give a presentation at the local Annecy during the film festival.
Since its release in April 2024 as a project with a total production cost of 1 billion yen, this work has surpassed a total of 5 million views of the teaser footage released. We are working hard to develop original movies in the Japanese animation industry.

 What is the Annecy International Animation Film Festival “WORK IN PROGRESS”?

Annecy International Animation Film Festival is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious animation film festivals, which was established independently by the Animation Division of the Cannes Film Festival in 1960. Among them, “Work in Progress (WIP)” has released many notable works in this session before its completion.
In fiscal 2025, it was announced that there were more than 3,900 entries (total of each division) from 100 countries around the world.

Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 Overview

Period: June 21-June 27, 2026
Venue: Annecy, France
Official website: https://www.annecyfestival.com/

Speaker profile

Planning and director
Kazuaki Kuribayashi (Chocolate Inc.)
Chocolate Inc. CCO / Planner. Focusing on video planning, he is responsible for space production, product development, and integrated communication design. JAAA Creator of the Year youngest medalist. More than 60 awards for domestic and international awards such as Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, Media Arts Festival, and ACC.
Selected for the US magazine “40 UNDER 40” (40 under the age of 40). I feel the possibility of fusing the wisdom of various fields related to various entertainment, and I am practicing the new way of making it.

About the theatrical animation “KillTube”

For some reason, “KILLTUBE” is set in Japan, where the Edo period continues to this day. In a society with a strict class system, the only way to change status is ” duel distribution.”

■ Synopsis of the work

Japan was still in the Edo period to the present day.
A huge high-rise city was crowded with the walls that closed the sea.
For a peaceful society, people were strictly managed, including homes, occupations, and foods, based on their level 1 to 7.
The only way to change your innate status.
That is to win with the state-run duel distribution platform “KillTube”.
For the sake of dreams and freedom, the people throw themselves into the blood-stained stage.
That’s where the unconventional boy Musashi was raised by a dog.
The three scammers, Kikuchiyo and the inventor, will participate in “KILLTUBE” from the bottom of society with the aim of reaching the top of Edo.
The three of them, who are winning in an unconventional way, will catch the eye of the general Yeyas, but at the same time they will face the eerie distortions of society.
Will Musashi and the others be able to get freedom in this world?

■ Basic information

Produced by: Studio Dotou
Title: KillTube
Planning and Director: Kazuaki Kuribayashi (Chocolate Inc.)
Planning and production: Chocolate/KillTube
Showing time: 90 minutes (planned)
Theatrical animation “KILLTUBE” official website: https://killtu.be/
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@killtubejp
Official X: https://x.com/killtubejp
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killtubejp/