Tokyo-based creator management and global media company GeeXPlus, a subsidiary of the prominent Kadokawa Group, has announced the launch of its new division, GeeXProductions. This strategic expansion aims to deepen the agency’s involvement in intellectual property (IP) creation, facilitating the production of original animated content driven by its roster of influential creators. The inaugural slate of projects, unveiled at Anime Expo 2025, includes a highly anticipated 18-minute anime short film titled Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood- from renowned YouTuber Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho).
GeeXProductions: A New Era for Creator IP
GeeXPlus, known for connecting Japanese brands with global influencers and managing talents like Gigguk, has stepped into the realm of original anime production with GeeXProductions. This move signifies a broader industry trend where creator-led content is transitioning from derivative works and commentary to fully-fledged original animated projects. Rick Gao, Chief Agency Officer and Executive Producer at GeeXPlus, highlighted the company’s unique position within the Kadokawa Group, emphasizing their ability to integrate more deeply into the creative process from inception to completion. This initiative is set to leverage the significant organic audience fanbases cultivated by these internet-native creators, combining their vision with established anime industry expertise.
The newly formed division will not only produce Gigguk’s short film but also two other significant projects: Soul Mart, a 12-episode 3D Blender animation from DillonGoo Studios, and Otachan! Rabbit Season, a long-running indie anime short series by Studio OtakuVersus. Each project brings a distinct style and narrative, reflecting the diverse talents managed by GeeXPlus. DillonGoo’s Soul Mart is described as a story set in a near-future convenience store where strange products appear, entwining the life of a notorious graffiti artist with a timid cashier and an unemployed demon. Otachan! Rabbit Season aims to revive the gritty, high-quality OVA aesthetic of the late ’80s and early 2000s, following the chaotic exploits of its titular protagonist through a violent underworld.
Gigguk’s Vision: Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood-
At the forefront of GeeXProductions’ initial lineup is Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood-, an ambitious project conceived by Gigguk himself. Garnt Maneetapho, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of anime YouTube, has built a substantial following through his insightful reviews, comedic rants, and involvement in the popular “Trash Taste” podcast. His move to Tokyo in 2019 to work with GeeXPlus signaled his deeper engagement with the Japanese anime industry, and this short film marks a significant evolution in his creative output. Gigguk will also serve as an advisor to the new GeeXProductions division, further cementing his role in shaping this new creator-driven animation landscape.
Creative Team and Narrative Details
The 18-minute short film boasts an impressive lineup of industry veterans. Yoshimitsu Ohashi, known for his directorial work on Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture and Amnesia, is at the helm as director. The musical score is being composed by Kevin Penkin, whose acclaimed work on series such as Made in Abyss, The Apothecary Diaries, and The Rising of The Shield Hero has garnered international recognition. Animation production is being handled by Studio Daisy.
Further enriching the production team are Megumi Hosaka as scriptwriter, Hanyu as character designer and general art director, Natsumi Watabe as color designer, Sato Takahara as art director, and Marin Inai as sakuga director. The lead characters, Rin and Daichi, will be voiced by Haruna Mikawa and Shoya Ishige, respectively.
The narrative of Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood- unfolds in a unique setting. The story is primarily set in the fictional world of Euthania, a realm connected to real-world Japan via a mysterious warp gate. It follows two protagonists on a journey of self-discovery, seeking a place where they truly belong: Arai Daichi, a 21-year-old Japanese man grappling with family conflicts who seeks escape in Euthania, and Rinrada Ratchamanee, a 19-year-old Euthanian who ventures out from her village to connect with Japan. The world of Euthania is depicted as a mild and peaceful climate, home to various fantasy races, yet not without its dangers, including large monsters. Notably, the setting draws inspiration from Thai and Southeast Asian mythology, adding a distinct cultural layer to the fantasy elements.
Release and Accessibility
Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood- is set to premiere theatrically in Japan on August 24, 2025. Following its theatrical run, the short film will be made available globally on Gigguk’s official YouTube channel. This YouTube release will also include a behind-the-scenes documentary offering insights into the making of the anime, providing fans with a deeper appreciation of the production process. Crucially, the YouTube version will feature both Japanese and English dubs, ensuring broad accessibility for Gigguk’s diverse international audience.
The Broader Impact on Content Creation
The establishment of GeeXProductions and its initial slate of projects, particularly Gigguk’s Bâan, represents a significant evolution in the relationship between digital content creators and the traditional anime industry. GeeXPlus’s strategic move allows them to facilitate a more integrated role in developing creative projects from concept to completion, offering creators the robust backing of an industry network that was previously less accessible.
This venture underscores GeeXPlus’s ambition to position Tokyo as a new nexus for international content creation, bridging geographical divides, industry sectors, and generational gaps. By empowering prominent online personalities to translate their unique perspectives and fan engagement into original animated works, GeeXProductions is poised to cultivate a new wave of anime that is directly influenced by and tailored for the digital-native audience. This pioneering approach could well serve as a blueprint for future collaborations, blurring the lines between independent content creation and mainstream animation production.
