On July 4 at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, prominent Japanese game creator Keiji Inafune, known for his popular titles Mega Man and Onimusha, announced an exciting new Kickstarter project titled RED ASH.
Keiji Inafune is well known for his popular titles including Mega Man and Onimusha, as well as his Mighty No. 9 Kickstarter project from 2013. At the time, he set the record for Japanese Kickstarters by gathering approximately $4 million in funds for the game. Just when we were getting excited for the release of Mighty No. 9, which falls on Sept. 15 in the United States and 18 in other areas, Mr. Inafune surprises us with yet another Kickstarter project.
Unlike its predecessor, the RED ASH project will do what others do not dare to attempt by not only creating a video game, but also simultaneously creating an anime with the same original image of main characters and story concept. STUDIO4℃ will produce the anime with the highest quality of images and animation that they are known for, like that found in The Animatrix and Tekkonkinkreet. Not only is the gaming community excited for RED ASH, anime fans from around the world are following it closely as well.


We had the opportunity to spend some time with President Keiji Inafune of Comcept and President Eiko Tanaka of STUDIO4℃ to talk about RED ASH.
Reunion and the Drama that Followed
TOM: We were very surprised by the timing of the RED ASH announcement since Mighty No. 9 seemed like it was just around the corner. Could you tell us when you started thinking about this project?
Keiji Inafune: I actually had it in my mind for quite a while. About a year ago to be more precise. I spoke to Ms. Takana about the RED ASH anime adaptation roughly six months ago.
Eiko Tanaka: Before Mr. Inafune came to me about the project, I actually met him again in the waiting room when I went to Anime Expo for the first time last year!

TOM: That’s quite the coincidence! How did you like your first Anime Expo?
Tanaka: Before I attended, I felt that there was a relationship between Anime Expo and STUDIO4℃, but it was a very distant one. The event has a long history, and although a number of my acquaintances were already a part of it, I couldn’t help but think that STUDIO4℃ might not be completely ready yet.
Inafune: You also said that when we met at the venue! I tried to convince her that it wasn’t the case at all since the internationally known STUDIO4℃ has tons of fans around the world.
Tanaka: I remember the confidence that I felt after hearing you say that. Because it was my first time at the event, I didn’t really have anything prepared when I joined the panel. Thanks to you, the panel went very well, and there was even a lineup formed for autographs. I was so relieved to see the lineup, and I really thought that STUDIO4℃ needed to take the chance to extend its reach to the rest of the world.
TOM: It sounds like Anime Expo and STUDIO4℃ both made a good impression on one another! Just to clarify on the part where Ms. Tanaka spoke earlier about meeting Mr. Inafune again, did the two of you know each other from before?

Inafune: During my Capcom Mega Man days, I asked STUDIO4℃ for their assistance on Mega Man’s animation. We became acquainted from that point on. I always thought that the incredible quality of STUDIO4℃ puts it on a completely different level that makes everyone nervous when we attempt to make requests to them!
Tanaka: I actually traveled to Osaka for the very first time when we met about the Mega Man project. Earlier, Mr. Inafune said that STUDIO4℃ was internationally known, but at the time I haven’t even brought myself to Osaka before!
At that time, while I was walking through the streets of Osaka, my ears caught the free-flowing Osaka dialect that even reminded me of French. Osaka happens to be the setting of MIND GAME 1, which was the theatrical animation film that we were working on at the time, and my experience there allowed me to realize that it was absolutely necessary to incorporate the dialect into the film to make it work. I went on to ask Yoshimoto Kogyo 2 to help out and gather comedians from that certain area of Osaka, and was able to complete the film. For inviting me to Osaka for the very first time, I give all the credit to Mr. Inafune!
Inafune: After Anime Expo, we didn’t really stay in touch. However, when I started to plan out RED ASH with my team, I happened to received an email from Ms. Tanaka. She asked if there was anything for us to work on together, and the first thing that came to mind was the RED ASH proposal on my desk. I thought to myself, there certainly is something for us to work on together!
Tanaka: There seems to be a spell around Mr. Inafune that leads to drama after I meet him!
MIND GAME 1: Studio4℃ worked on the animated feature film, which was released in 2004. The story revolves around the main character’s energetic new life when he comes back to life after passing away at the age of 20. Originally created by Japanese manga artist Robin Nishi and serialized in Manga House’s Comic Are! from 1995–1996.
Yoshimoto Kogyo 2: Yoshimoto Kogyo is involved in management, promotions, TV and radio program production, as well as other aspects of entertainment. It is a group holding company with head offices located in both Osaka and Tokyo. The title “Yoshimoto Kogyo” typically refers to its agency that employs a large number of comedians.
RED ASH Official Page:http://redashgame.com/
Kickstarter Page (Game):https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/red-ash-the-indelible-legend
Kickstarter Page (Anime):https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/red-ash-magicicada-by-studio4c
comcept Official Page: http://comcept.co.jp/en/
STUDIO4℃ Official Page:http://www.studio4c.co.jp/english/
STUDIO4℃ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studio4c
STUDIO4℃ Twitter: https://twitter.com/STUDIO4C
STUDIO4℃ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/portstudio4c