Toei Animation has announced the creation of a new animation brand, ETERNA Animation, dedicated to the development of original, in-house animated works. The initiative comes as the company prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026.
The launch of ETERNA Animation follows the studio’s recent international recognition, including a nomination for Magic Candies in the Best Animated Short Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. According to the company, the new brand will serve as a platform to creative independence and long-term production of original content while also encouraging the development of new talent.
About ETERNA Animation
The brand is structured around five guiding principles: Originality, Exclusivity, Artistry, Quality, and Decency. Its stated goal is to create animation that is emotionally engaging and long-lasting. “The brand seeks to deliver new stories, spotlight new voices, and explore expressive new forms of animation with artistic freedom and lasting emotional impact.”
The name “ETERNA,” derived from the word “eternal,” reflects an intention to produce content that remains meaningful to audiences over time.
ETERNA Animation’s slogan is: “We create free and unforgettable animation that stays in your heart.”
First Project: FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki
The first title under the ETERNA label will be the original short film FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki, which has 2026 as the targeted release year. The project will be directed by Takeru Shinozuka, who is making his commercial directorial debut with the film.
The story will follow “universal themes such as isolation, fantasy, and the confrontation of the self in contemporary society. It poetically and visually depicts the protagonist’s emotional transformation as she journeys toward personal liberation.”
Shinozuka, born in 1994, graduated from Tokyo Zokei University and ed Toei Animation afterwards. He has earned attention within the studio for his “unique hands-on approach, consistently managing direction, storyboards, and character design himself.”
The producer of the film is Yoshihide Moriyama, whose credits include ELEMON, Tokyo 7th Sisters: Bokura wa Aozora ni Naru, and Ring ni Kakero series. Moriyama is committed to realizing the film “in line with the ideals of ETERNA Animation while cultivating it as a work that resonates globally.”
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FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki Presentation at Annecy 2025
FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki will be introduced as a work-in-progress at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market 2025 as part of the MIFA Talent . The session will feature pre-production materials, including concept art and character designs. Director Shinozuka and Producer Moriyama are scheduled to present the project and discuss both the creative approach behind the film and the broader goals of the ETERNA initiative.
Additional Information
- Director: Takeru Shinozuka
- Producer: Yoshihide Moriyama
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Production: Toei Animation
- Official ETERNA Animation Website: www.toei-anim.co.jp/eterna_animation
- X (formerly Twitter): @eterna_anim
- Instagram: @eterna_animation
This follows numerous new studio formations, including CyberAgent’s CA Soa, the company’s own new anime production studio led by Masakazu Ogawa and aiming “to create globally recognized, high-quality anime with fresh production methods.”
Source: Press Release
© TOEI ANIMATION Co., Ltd.
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