CloverWorks, the renowned animation studio, has officially announced that its anticipated original anime film, now definitively titled Grotesqqque, is slated for a 2026 theatrical debut. The revelation arrived with the release of a new video that offers a glimpse into the project’s ambitious scope. This film marks the inaugural venture of JOEN, a collaborative effort established by key industry players: Sony media subsidiary Aniplex, CloverWorks itself, Production I.G’s sister company Wit Studio, and publisher Shueisha.
An Evolving Vision: From Grotesque to Grotesqqque
Initially unveiled at Anime Expo 2024 under the tentative title Grotesque and with a projected 2025 release, the project has evolved to incorporate a triple ‘q’ in its title, signifying its expanded narrative structure. The shift to Grotesqqque reflects its nature as an omnibus film, presenting three distinct stories, each exploring different worldviews. This strategic change also sees its release pushed back to 2026, allowing for a more comprehensive development of its multiple segments.
Director Atsushi Nishigori at the Helm
The film is directed by Atsushi Nishigori, a notable figure in the anime industry known for his work on The IDOLM@STER and DARLING in the FRANXX. Nishigori’s vision for Grotesqqque promises an engaging and diverse cinematic experience across its three unique narratives.
The Three Pillars of Grotesqqque
The newly released video provided insights into the individual segments that comprise the Grotesqqque film. These include:
- Aeliens: The specifics of this segment are yet to be fully detailed, but its title suggests a narrative potentially involving extraterrestrial elements.
- 4649GIRL: This segment’s title is a clever Japanese wordplay, where the numbers “4649” can be read as “Yoroshiku,” meaning “Nice to Meet You.” The kanji, however, translates to “Evening Dew Heads to Its Death. Girl,” hinting at a deeper, possibly darker meaning.
- Nocturne: En Cette Nuit Grotesque: Romanized as “Nocturn: En Cette Nuit Grotesque,” this segment’s title, which literally means “Nocturne: On This Grotesque Night,” evokes a sense of mystery and the macabre.
The teaser showcases pre-production and production materials, offering a glimpse of the animation style and potential themes, including elements suggestive of aliens, an exploding head, melee combat, and vampires.
JOEN: A New Era of Anime Production
Grotesqqque is a landmark project as the first official release from JOEN, a company forged through a significant partnership between leading entities in the anime and publishing sectors. JOEN was established in 2022 with the aim of planning and producing various animation works, including TV series, feature films, and short clips. The initiative seeks to create a more robust framework and creative environment for the industry, ensuring quality while prioritizing the welfare of the creators involved, including directing profits back to them.
The representative directors of JOEN are Yūichi Fukushima, a producer from CloverWorks, and Tetsuya Nakatake, a producer from Wit Studio, both bringing extensive experience to this innovative venture. This collaborative model is designed to facilitate matching the optimal production lines and creators to each project, moving beyond the confines of a single company.
