On Wednesday, excitement stirred within the anime community as Saku Sakamoto’s official website for The Feast of Amrita (Amrita no Kyōen) heralded the commencement of his latest artistic venture. Sakamoto is now embarking on the production of a new short anime film entitled Calabi-Yau no Sukima (The Gap of Calabi-Yau). The website also offered a glimpse into the new project via a captivating teaser visual.
Calabi-Yau no Sukima unfolds a chilling narrative set within an enigmatic “six-dimensional world,” conceptually drawn from the bewildering realms of Calabi-Yau complex manifolds. These intricate structures are known for inspiring terror in the human psyche.
Details surrounding the release date and the ensemble cast for this spine-tingling short will be shared with the audience in the forthcoming future.
A Multifaceted Creator at the Helm
In line with his previous cinematic projects, Sakamoto will embrace several key roles in shaping Calabi-Yau no Sukima. He will infuse the film with his vision as the director and invigorate it with his skills as the animation producer.
His creative thumbprint will also be reflected in the original story, screenplay, and music. However, he will delegate the voice dubbing and sound effects to other talented members of the production team.
Sakamoto’s earlier work, Aragne: Sign of Vermilion, was showcased at the celebrated Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Canada, capturing audiences in July 2018.
Crowdfunding Successes and Creative Journey
The realization of Aragne: Sign of Vermilion was bolstered by a successful crowdfunding initiative through the Japanese platform Makuake. In March 2017, the project swiftly met its ambitious 2 million yen goal (approximately US$17,800). Subsequently, the team leveraged Kickstarter to secure an English translation and facilitate the film’s presentation at international festivals.
The groundwork for The Feast of Amrita, a prequel spinoff to Aragne: Sign of Vermilion, culminated in its premiere in Japan in May 2023. This release followed an adjustment to the schedule, originally set for 2021, which was delayed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a career beginning in 2002 as a freelance anime creator, Sakamoto’s portfolio is diverse and impressive. His directorial prowess was showcased on NHK’s Minna no Uta, and he further honed his skills contributing to the 3D computer graphics for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. Additionally, his talent for animation was put to use in crafting a tourism-focused anime short for Matsuyama City in 2014.
Sources: The Feast of Amrita anime film’s website, Comic Natalie
Final Thoughts
With a track record of compelling storytelling and an eye for intricate world-building, Saku Sakamoto is set to captivate audiences once more with his newest animated short, Calabi-Yau no Sukima. As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await further announcements about the film’s release and cast details.
This upcoming foray into the realm of six-dimensional terror is sure to be a feast for the senses, reinforcing Sakamoto’s stature as a multi-talented powerhouse in the anime industry.
