Adding to the all exciting displays from other exhibitors at the event, the CloverWorks industry panel at Anime Expo 2024 unveiled a new original anime project from director Atsushi Nishigori (DARLING in the FRANXX) tentatively titled “GROTESQUE” and scheduled for 2025, for which an eclectic teaser trailer was released.
The film marks the first official venture from JOEN, a creative partnership formed in 2022 by animation studios CloverWorks and WIT Studio, publisher Shueisha and Sony media subsidiary Aniplex. Additional details about the project are yet to be announced.
According to their official website, JOEN was established for the purpose of “planning and producing animation works including TV series, feature films, and short clips.”
By bringing the four companies closer together, JOEN states it seeks to establish a better framework and creative environment for the industry that will ensure quality is maintained while the people involved are prioritized across all levels of production, including directing profits back to them. This will reportedly involve collaborating with various studios, producers and creators to “match the best production lines and creators to each project,” rather than moving all processes through just one company.
Source: Official X (formerly Twitter)
