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Chika Chika Idol, the original CGI animation project which is currently seeking investment through crowdfunding has now launched an English language version of its website. The animation will be directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori who is well known for A Certain Magical Index and Azumanga Daioh, but what exactly is this idol animation project in which the big name director who’s worked on so many famous franchises wants to “walk alongside the fans”?
Chika Chika Idol is a slice-of-life CGI animation project about “Chika Idols.” The project will use the “cel look” technique to get the appearance of traditional cel animation in 3DCG and will be an idol animation focused on exciting live performances.
Also, the special thing about the project is that the production and management will be conducted through crowdfunding. Among those who’ve already heard about this, there might be a few doubters asking, “For a director as well regarded as this, who doesn’t need to go to the trouble of attracting investment through crowdfunding, can’t he produce it freely?”
In the current Japanese original animation production scene, that isn’t so simple. For a completely original anime, not based on a book or a manga, even for a director like Nishikiori who’s well regarded enough to make up for the riskiness of the material, raising the money isn’t easy. On top of that, in order to decrease some of that risk, there might also be restrictions imposed based on the sponsor’s inclinations. In other words, within the already existing anime production framework, to make something that the creators want to produce and anime fans will want to see, there are a lot of bothersome hurdles to be jumped over.
With crowdfunding, the fans and the production team become one and can help nurture the project and the characters together. We, who’ve until now only been able to participate passively, may have found a new way to enjoy anime. Just think about it. The field of activity of the idols which you support, with your backing, becoming wider and you, yourself, being thanked for it.
They’ve also started publishing an English language version of the original manga for free on the official website. The crowdfunding campaign will take place via Kickstarter from Feb. 5, 2016. Right now, they’re running a “Smartphone Wallpaper Present Campaign” as a special commemoration for the website’s launch in which you’ll receive wallpaper for your smartphone when you share the post on the official Facebook page for a limited two week period only beginning on Dec. 28, 2015. If that sounds good to you you’d better make sure to check it out right away.
Tokyo Otaku Mode is supporting this ambitious project and once the project is completed we intend to help out by delivering the rewards and after that selling merchandise. Keep your eyes open for more news in the future!
Manga
Staff
Director: Hiroshi Nishikiori
( A Certain Magical Index, Trinity Seven, Azumanga Daioh )
Producer & Original Concept: Yasutake Honjo
Character Design & Manga: Mochiko Kagamino
PR: terrakei
3DCG Production: F-Sik
Design: Wataru Osakabe
Voice Production Management: Studio Mouse
Crowdfunding & Translation: AWESOME JAPAN
Planning & Production: Symphonium inc.
**Voice Cast**
Marika Kono as Tenka Akasaki
Yuki Kuwahara as Sumi Yuki
Rika Tachibana as Abigail "Abbey" Williams
Ayane Sakura as Hisame Nagasawa
Yuri Yamaoka as Yataro (cat)
Chika Chika Idol Official Web (English)
Chika Chika Idol Official Web (Japanese)
Animation Production Symphonium (founded by Honjo & Nishikiori in July 2015):
http://symphonium.info/
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article