TOKYO, Japan – Japanese streaming giant ABEMA announced last Thursday the launch of “Project PRISMation,” a new initiative designed to foster collaboration with independent animators and bring original pilot films to its platform. The project aims to support individuals and small teams in creating innovative anime works, with the first three collaborations set to premiere in mid-January 2026.
Fostering the Next Generation of Anime Creators
“Project PRISMation” signals ABEMA’s commitment to nurturing fresh talent within the global animation landscape. The streaming service, a joint venture between CyberAgent and TV Asahi, has a history of supporting anime culture through various programs and events, including exclusive interviews with industry professionals on “SHIBUYA ANIME BASE” and showcasing indie animation at the “ABEMA Anime Festival.” This new project builds on those efforts by directly engaging with creators who primarily produce web animation, offering them a platform to develop and showcase their original concepts.
The name “PRISMation” itself is a blend of “PRISM” and “Animation,” symbolizing a space where diverse talents converge and shine, much like a prism disperses white light into a spectrum of colors. ABEMA states that the initiative reflects CyberAgent’s philosophy that “great IP is born from creators’ passion and creativity,” underscoring a creator-first approach.
Inaugural Wave of Collaborations
The initial phase of Project PRISMation introduces three distinct works from a diverse group of creators, spanning across Asia:
“Poppin-Play Kitchen” by Zemyata (Thailand)
Premiering on Friday, January 16, 2026, “Poppin-Play Kitchen” is an original pilot film by Thailand-based creator Zemyata. Known for vivid colors and a dark-yet-pop aesthetic, Zemyata has previously worked on music videos for artists like Eve (“Yoru wa Honoka”) and Alice Schach and the Magic Orchestra (“QUEEN FLY”). The project marks Zemyata’s first dialogue-driven work, combining cute and scary elements in a bizarre cooking show featuring hosts P-chan, C-chan, and U-chan navigating a dollhouse-like set.
“Gluttomy” by rapitus (Vietnam)
The second work, “Gluttomy,” will be released on Friday, January 23, 2026. Created by the Vietnamese duo rapitus (RaPis and Tus), this new video is inspired by their viral short film of the same name. The story follows Appel, a scholarship student at an elite high school, whose life takes an unexpected turn after encountering mysterious pink-haired twins, Glista and Glyde.
“The Horrors’ Horror Home” by Uguisu Kobo (Japan)
Completing the initial lineup on Friday, January 30, 2026, is “The Horrors’ Horror Home.” This pilot film is a collaboration with Uguisu Kobo, a Japanese animation collective primarily composed of graduates from Musashino Art University’s Department of Imaging Arts and Sciences. Directed by Rushio Moriyama (known for episode direction in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and Doraemon) and written by Yuya Matsuzaki, the short humorously depicts the daily life of the supernatural Horrors family: vampire father Dracule, onryō wraith mother Sadako, their daughter Alice, and their cat Dark Matter.
Future Plans and Global Outreach
These three pilot films will be available for streaming on ABEMA and the official Project PRISMation social media channels over three consecutive weeks. Looking beyond this initial launch, Project PRISMation is set to be an ongoing initiative, with ABEMA planning to expand its collaborations with diverse creators annually.
A significant development for aspiring animators worldwide is the upcoming open call for public submissions. Starting around May 2026, the project will begin accepting original concepts and works from both Japan and international creators, further solidifying its global ambition. This move underscores ABEMA’s strategic interest in not only the domestic Japanese market but also in fostering and distributing international creative talent in the anime sphere. A special feature corner dedicated to Project PRISMation will also be broadcast within ABEMA’s original information program “SHIBUYA ANIME BASE” on January 16, 2026.
