Key Facts
Toei Animation has announced that its new short film, 'Foxing / Kitsune Tsuki', produced under its newly launched ETERNA brand, will debut at several international film festivals in 2025. The film will first compete at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on July 18 for the Award for Excellence in Animation. Subsequent screenings include the Indy Shorts Film Festival on July 22 and 23, and the Regina International Film Festival and Awards from August 12 to 22.
Story and Creative Team
The short film follows Shinano, a young woman experiencing creative block. Her discarded doodles come to life, led by a fox-masked character named Koyami, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Through this journey, Shinano recognizes these creations as fragments of her own loneliness and decides to continue creating while embracing it.
Kiyotaka Oshiyama directs the film in his commercial directorial debut, also handling script and character design. Music is composed by Kensuke Ushio, and the voice cast includes Atsumi Tanezaki as the lead. The film is produced by Toei Animation, with Yusuke Onoda serving as associate producer.
About the ETERNA Brand
Toei Animation launched the ETERNA brand in 2025 to commemorate its 70th anniversary. The brand name, meaning 'eternal,' reflects the studio's aspiration to create works that linger in viewers' hearts. Guided by five core values—Originality, Exclusivity, Artistry, Quality, and Decency—ETERNA aims to deliver new stories, spotlight new voices, and explore expressive new forms of animation with artistic freedom and lasting emotional impact.
Festival Screenings
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France): July 18, in competition
- Indy Shorts Film Festival (USA): July 22-23
- Regina International Film Festival and Awards (Canada): August 12-22
What Readers Should Know
'Foxing / Kitsune Tsuki' represents Toei Animation's commitment to original storytelling under the ETERNA banner. The film's festival run marks the beginning of a new chapter for the studio, focusing on artistic expression and emotional depth. Audiences can expect a visually stunning and introspective short film that explores creativity and loneliness.
FAQ
What is 'Foxing / Kitsune Tsuki' about?
The short film follows Shinano, a young woman who struggles with creative block. One day, Koyami, a fox-masked character from her old doodles, appears, followed by other discarded creations, blurring reality and imagination. She realizes they are fragments of herself and chooses to keep creating while living with loneliness.
Who is directing the short film?
The short film is directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, marking his commercial directorial debut. He also wrote the script and designed the characters.
What is the ETERNA brand?
ETERNA is a new original animation brand launched by Toei Animation in 2025 to celebrate its 70th anniversary. It focuses on originality, artistry, and emotional impact, aiming to deliver new stories and spotlight new voices.
Where will the short film be screened?
The film will premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on July 18, followed by screenings at the Indy Shorts Film Festival on July 22-23 and the Regina International Film Festival and Awards from August 12-22.