Akira’s Katsuhiro Ōtomo Launches New Feature‑Animation Studio “Oval Gear” Key points: The studio’s first project is already in production. Oval Gear is actively hiring animators and production staff. Katsuhiro Ōtomo (profile) announced on Monday that he has founded a new feature‑animation studio, **Oval Gear**, based in Tokyo. The studio’s debut title is currently in production, […]

Ring Author Kōji Suzuki Dies at 68 Posted on 2026‑05‑10 00:05 UTC‑8 by Anita Tai Novelist Behind Ring, Dark Water, Spiral… and More World‑renowned horror writer Kōji Suzuki passed away in a Tokyo hospital on Friday at the age of 68. Early Life & Debut Born in Hamamatsu City in 1957. Made his professional debut with the novel Rakuen (Paradise), which won […]