Japanese filmmaker Masashi Kawamura never expected his viral stop-motion short Hidari to lead to a collaboration with Keanu Reeves. But after the 2023 proof-of-concept short amassed five million views on YouTube, the actor signed on to voice the lead character, Jingoro, in a full-length feature version. Kawamura describes the story as having a John Wick-like tone, with a protagonist channeling grief into vengeance.
The project began when Kawamura, known primarily for music videos and commercials, teamed up with producer Noriko Matsumoto of dwarf studios. Matsumoto had already gained international recognition with the Netflix series Rilakkuma and the Oscar-shortlisted short Bottle George. Together, they aimed to create a stop-motion feature that would resonate with global distributors and platforms. “My expertise is live-action and CG work,” Kawamura says. “But when Noriko approached me about developing something ambitious, we thought stop-motion could be the perfect medium.”
The film’s narrative draws from the legendary Edo-era sculptor Jingoro Hidari, whose existence is shrouded in mystery. Over 500 sculptures across Japan are attributed to Hidari, but scholars note that the works span 200 years, suggesting a myth rather than a single historical figure. Kawamura found this ambiguity compelling: “He was a sculptor whose work was said to come alive because it looked so real. Telling his story through a wooden puppet that resembles one of his own creations adds a fascinating layer to the film.”
In the feature, Jingoro loses everything—his father figure, fiancée, and right arm—after being betrayed by those wanting to hide secrets of Edo Castle’s reconstruction. On the brink of despair, he transforms his grief into vengeance, using his carpentry skills and a series of lethal mechanical prosthetic arms. With his loyal companion, the “Sleeping Cat” (a famous sculpture by Hidari located at Tōshōgū Shrine in Nikkō), he carves a path to justice. “There are fantasies, chainsaws, crazy wooden robots,” Kawamura says, “but we keep the narrative simple because the visual is so complex.”
Kawamura’s decision to use wood as the primary material was deliberate. “Water, fire, metal, leather, wood—I considered them all. Wood has strong roots in Japanese culture and history,” he explains. The tactile presence of physical objects, rather than digital replicas, was essential. “Stop-motion magic comes from shooting real objects. That texture is what I wanted to bring to the story.”
The filmmaker’s career spans diverse creative fields. He has directed commercials and music videos, created clones for Lady Gaga, and designed the largest pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025. His work has earned a Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and an International Emmy Award nomination. Despite this success, Hidari marks his first foray into stop-motion. “I was always looking for an opportunity,” he says. “I loved stop-motion in my youth, and I felt the magic of inanimate objects using cinema magic.”
Keanu Reeves’ involvement has been transformative. Kawamura admits to being a “fanboy” initially but now views the actor as a partner. “He’s super focused. He’s given lots of ideas to the project. I’ve learned so much from him.” The actor’s support has been key in conversations with potential international partners to push Hidari into production. Reeves voices Jingoro, bringing gravity and depth to the grief-driven character.
Producer Noriko Matsumoto has been instrumental in positioning dwarf studios as a pioneer in Japan’s stop-motion industry, collaborating with global streamers. Her background includes producing the Netflix hit Rilakkuma and the critically acclaimed short Bottle George. For Hidari, she partnered with Whatever and TECARAT, with financing from Questry Co.’s Tomonobu Ibe. The team is actively courting distributors and studios that can help bring the ambitious wooden-puppet epic to theaters worldwide.
The film’s visual style promises to be unique. Kawamura emphasizes the importance of texture and materiality. “You’re not replicating through programming. These are real objects using cinema magic,” he says. The decision to use wood also pays homage to traditional Japanese craftsmanship, echoing the story’s theme of a sculptor seeking justice through his art. The “Sleeping Cat” sculpture, a real-world artifact, serves as both a symbol and a plot device.
Kawamura’s approach to storytelling mirrors his background in advertising and music videos, where visual impact is paramount. “You have to have something that gets people excited,” he says. The proof-of-concept short was crucial in attracting Reeves and proving the project’s viability. “Nobody really knows me as a director. This is my first feature. We couldn’t just pitch with a script or concept boards—we needed something tangible.”
The action sequences draw heavily from the revenge genre, with Jingoro’s mechanical prosthetics adding a steampunk-esque element to the Edo setting. Kawamura compares the tone to John Wick, but grounded in Japanese history. “The lead character turns grief into vengeance,” he explains. “That universal theme resonates across cultures.” The film’s title, Hidari, directly references the legendary sculptor, and the narrative explores his myth while delivering high-octane action.
As of May 2026, Kawamura and Matsumoto are in active discussions with international partners. The project has gained momentum thanks to Reeves’ involvement and the short’s viral success. Kawamura remains optimistic: “We’ve had a lot of luck getting Keanu, but the proof of concept was the key. It showed what we could do.” The feature aims to push stop-motion boundaries, blending traditional puppet animation with modern action storytelling.
Beyond the technical achievements, Hidari represents a personal milestone for Kawamura. “This is my first time directing a feature film. It’s an original script without any IP attached. There are a lot of challenges, but with Keanu and Noriko, I feel we can overcome them.” The film is scheduled to begin production once financing is secured, with a target release in 2027 or 2028.
For fans of stop-motion, Japanese history, or Keanu Reeves, Hidari promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally gripping ride. Kawamura’s blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern cinema magic pays tribute to the art form while forging new ground. As he puts it, “I wanted every part of this film to be rooted in Japanese culture, but its theme of revenge and self-discovery is universal.”
Source: Deadline News