Animation studio DLE and TSK San-in Central Television have officially announced a new short anime/AI program, “The World of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan” (“Koizumi Yakumo no KWAIDAN (Kaidan) no Sekai”), set to premiere on October 2. The three-minute show will explore the mysterious and bizarre Japanese ghost stories collected by the revered Greek and Irish writer, Lafcadio Hearn (also known as Koizumi Yakumo), utilizing advanced AI production techniques.
Blending Traditional Folklore with Modern AI Animation
The upcoming series promises a unique blend of traditional Japanese folklore and cutting-edge artificial intelligence in animation. DLE, known for its innovative approach and projects like the “Eagle Talon” series, is at the forefront of incorporating AI into animation production. This new venture further solidifies their commitment to exploring new frontiers in storytelling and visual execution.
Dual-Version Broadcast: Anime Look and Live-Action Look
“The World of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan” will be presented in two distinct versions, each offering a different visual experience. One is the “Anime Look Version,” a standard 2D animation style, while the other is a “Live-Action Look Version” that employs photorealistic AI rendering to heighten the horror elements of the ghost stories. These two versions will be broadcast in separate time slots on TSK San-in Central TV, with the “Anime Look Version” debuting on October 2 at 8:54 p.m. JST, and the “Live-Action Look Version” following on October 3 at 24:45 a.m. JST (effectively, October 4 at 12:45 a.m. JST).
The Enduring Legacy of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan
The show draws its inspiration from Lafcadio Hearn’s seminal work, Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things, a 1904 collection of Japanese folk tales and supernatural narratives. Hearn, who resided in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, played a significant role in introducing Japanese ghost story literature to Western audiences. His collections, often referred to as “Kwaidan” (an archaic transliteration of kaidan, meaning “ghost story”), have been a wellspring of inspiration for various adaptations, including Masaki Kobayashi’s critically acclaimed 1964 anthology horror film.
Stories of the Supernatural
Hearn’s Kwaidan features numerous chilling tales, many translated from old Japanese texts, alongside original accounts. Stories like “Yuki-Onna” (Snow Woman) and “Hoichi the Earless” are among the most famous, detailing encounters with vengeful spirits, mysterious beings, and the eerie beauty of the Japanese supernatural world. The new short anime/AI program is expected to feature 13 such mysterious and bizarre tales passed down in Japan, bringing these classic narratives to a new generation through innovative animation.
Production Details and Creative Team
The production of “The World of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan” is a collaboration between DLE and OBETA AI STUDIO, and is copyrighted by Sanin Chuo Television Broadcasting/DLE. The original characters for the series were created in-house by DLE. Frogman, known for his work on “Secret Society Eagle Talon,” is credited as the director, screenwriter, and editor for the project. Character design for the navigation character, “Konkasumi,” is handled by manga artist Sera Izumi. The voice cast includes veteran voice actors Chafurin, who is also a Matsue Tourism Ambassador, and Miki Ito.
The show’s debut on TSK San-in Central TV marks an exciting convergence of cultural heritage and technological advancement, promising a fresh interpretation of timeless ghost stories.
