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Toei Announces New 'Edo x Idol' IP Sharedol
posted on by Alex Mateo
Toei Animation announced on Wednesday a new IP titled Sharedol, and it will release a pilot film on YouTube on October 25. Toei Animation's new intellectual property research team PEROs (Prototyping and Experimental Research in Oizumi Studio) and young producers of Sotsu are producing the pilot project together.
The companies describe the IP with the theme of "Edo x Idol." Sharedol is a work that combines two ideas selected from 15 proposed concepts. The story is set in the Kansei era in Japan's Edo period, and Matsudaira Sadanobu's Kansei reforms have restricted entertainment for the common people. A group of girls with their own worries have thoughts that "erupt as idols." These Edo period girls wear idol costumes in a "Neo Edo" world that combines the cultures of the Kansei and modern Reiwa eras.
The staff shared a character visual for an unnamed girl (tentatively Girl A) who is a girl from a teahouse. She is an energetic girl who is brimming with curiosity, and she devotes herself to what is in front of her without fear.
The characters' names and voice actors have not yet been decided. More details about the world and characters will be revealed on the project's official Twitter account. The staff will also consider fan reaction as it moves forward.
The project is being developed with the following in mind: changes in media and distribution spread via the internet, the need for human resources development for young producers who will lead the next generation, and the need for small starts and co-creation with fans in original IP.
Toei streamed its full five-minute anime short film URVAN on YouTube in February. Toei Animation's PEROs produced the film. The short film was originally slated to debut in late January, but was delayed due to COVID-19.
URVAN won the Silver Prize in the Technology Innovation Category of the first Kyoto Animonozukuri Awards in September.
Source: Email correspondence
