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Tatsuki's 'Keifuku-san' Anime Short DVD Delayed to February 19

Anime director TATSUKI (Kemono Friends) revealed on Saturday that the DVD release of his "Keifuku-san" anime short has been delayed until February 19 due to the number of pre-orders "exceeding expectations by far." TATSUKI said he consulted with retailer Amazon about the decision, and he posted an illustration for the announcement.

The DVD costs 3,400 yen (about US$31), and it was originally scheduled to ship on Monday. The release topped Amazon Japan's anime DVD best seller and overall DVD best seller lists shortly after going on sale for pre-order. TATSUKI expressed surprise on Twitter at the popularity of the five-minute short's home video release.

TATSUKI posted the full version of the short in December. He previously posted the beginning of the anime in two shorts.

TATSUKI created the short with irodori, the three-person independent animation group that worked with the studio Yaoyorozu to produce the Kemono Friends anime. Besides TATSUKI, the members include Yūko Shiromizu and Yoshihisa Isa, the art director and animation director on Kemono Friends.

Yukari Hanamori provided the voice, and Kurenai 88 and Toshifumi Tsuzuki collaborated on the sound. TATSUKI revealed in October that he was recruiting experienced background artists for an unannounced project.

A promotional video for TATSUKI and irodori's new "Hentatsu" anime also began streaming on Wednesday. The video features what appears to be a location from "Keifuku-san." The location resembles a giant Shinto shrine in the sky that functions as a station.

TATSUKI reported in September that, per a notification from publishing and production company Kadokawa, he is no longer working on the Kemono Friends project. Soon after, the anime's official website announced that the studio Yaoyorozu would no longer be involved. Producer Yoshitada Fukuhara confirmed in December that Yaoyorozu will not return for the planned second season.

[Via Ota-Suke]