In a heartwarming collaboration, Japanese comedian and illustrator Tekken has created a short anime film titled “Ohana” to celebrate the release of Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” movie in Japan. The animated short, which beautifully captures the essence of family and belonging, was released by Walt Disney Studios Japan.
A Heartfelt Story of ‘Ohana’
Tekken’s “Ohana” tells the story of Lilo and Nani, two sisters navigating life after the loss of their parents. The short animation depicts their struggles and the importance of family, or “Ohana,” a Hawaiian term for family. The arrival of Stitch, a mischievous alien, adds a new dynamic to their lives, ultimately showing how love and connection can be found in the most unexpected places. The short film is set to the tune of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride”.
Tekken’s Signature Style
Tekken is known for his emotionally resonant flipbook animations, and this latest work is no exception. His signature gentle illustrations and attention to detail bring the characters to life, highlighting their evolving relationships with expressive character motions. In particular, Tekken focused on Stitch’s subtle ear movements and facial expressions to convey the alien’s emotions.
This isn’t Tekken’s first collaboration with Disney. He previously created promotional videos for “Big Hero 6” in 2014 and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in 2017, both of which gained viral attention in Japan.
A Personal Connection
Tekken has shared that he personally relates to Lilo and Nani’s story, as he lost his own mother at a young age. He explained that he wanted to express the feeling of support and emotional recovery through his artwork, drawing parallels between his own journey and the sisters’ experiences. He incorporated the similarities between Lilo and Nani, who both live strong lives while facing the grief of losing their parents, into the work.
Live-Action Lilo & Stitch
The live-action “Lilo & Stitch” film, directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, is set to premiere in Japan. The film is a fantasy set on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, depicting the important bond of “ohana.” The story follows Lilo, a young girl, and her older sister Nani, who have lost their parents. Their lives are disrupted by the arrival of Stitch, a rowdy alien who knows nothing about family love. Stitch’s unpredictable actions cause chaos on the peaceful island, but this miraculous encounter eventually changes the sisters who were close to losing hope.
The Japanese dubbed version features voice actors Koichi Yamadera as Stitch, Yuno Nagao as Lilo, MOMONA from the girl group ME:I as Nani, Kaito Nakamura from Travis Japan as David, and Yuji Mitsuya as Pleakley.
