Otaku News: MECHA-UDE crowdfunding project launches on Kickstarter

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MECHA-UDE crowdfunding project launches on Kickstarter

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Date: 2016 October 03 13:29

Posted by Eeeper

Animator Sae Okamoto seeking $25,000 goal for short film pilot on crowdfunding platform.

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While we have seen many different types of Kickstarter projects involving animation production over the years, it's rare for a Japanese first-time animation director to use the platform. Sae Okamoto, an animator on DANCHI TOMOO and TENKAI KNIGHTS, is looking to the crowdfunding platform to raise $25,000 to create an original idea of her own in pilot form. She's also directed her own work alongside regular work but MECHA-UDE will be her first solo directing gig.

From the Kickstarter:

Hero was a high schooler living an ordinary life.

One day, he meets a very strong and intelligent mechanical arm named "Mecha-ude". After a strange turn of events, the "Mecha-ude" started living inside Hero’s hoodie and the two’s life full of trouble begins.

As the boy and his "Mecha-ude" fights together and strengthen their bonds, the two also meets new friends who also fights along with each of their own unique "Mecha-ude" partners.

Out of those, one of the heroine has two "Mecha-ude" which appears out of her skirt. An active girl with a totally opposite characteristics from hero himself, he gradually becomes attracted to her. But the two are confronted with other "Mecha-ude" users who are in search of the secret of "Mecha-ude" relentlessly.

In this work, an anima-machine named "Mecha-ude" with self-awareness appears. Even though they look inorganic in nature, they all show or express their own feelings and opinions. They can feel angry, sad, and even encouraged to fight against enemies. It's a story about teenagers who lack of communication live, fight, and grow together with "Mecha-ude". But how are they going to communicate with "Mecha-ude" which come from a whole different world?

While the plot is one that we've heard before (boy finds a device, device drags boy into hidden conflict, boy and device bond), the actual device and the characters are unique and Okamoto has assembled an initial production team which looks impressive. Composer Narasaki has worked on DEADMAN WONDERLAND, PARADISE KISS and UN-GO while Tatsushi Momen has directed SUSHI POLICE and serves as MECHA-UDE's compositor. TriF Studio will be doing the animation having worked on SUSHI POLICE. While the project is only planned for a 25-minute pilot, it has the potential to go further if funded (Cannon Busters' recent success serves as an example).

Our take: this looks like an interesting concept, albeit similar to other titles, and stands out from some of the other projects with its art style, the fact it's a first-time project for the creator and the (relatively) small amount of money being requested.

Disclosure: Phillip is a backer of numerous Kickstarter and IndieGoGo animation projects including this, Cannon Busters and Abyssian Knights.

Source: MECHA-UDE Kickstarter page

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MECHA-UDE crowdfunding project launches on Kickstarter

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