Kodansha and creative studio Kurogo have initiated Synchro Project – a collaborative effort bringing together multiple creators to develop new intellectual properties inspired by anime opening sequences. Popular opening sequences will be expanded into anime, manga, novels, and other media formats.
This initiative mirrors mixed-media expansions derived from indie or short anime and pilot episodes. It begins with an author’s original concept and assembles a diverse team of creators to craft a single opening sequence. Creators receive compensation through a revenue-sharing model after expenses are deducted, with distribution terms varying by individual contracts.
Kurogo oversees the artist and creator programs, while Kodansha Creators Lab—an R&D division aimed at supporting creators across various genres—provides assistance with original content development.
The project’s first phase consists of five anime openings set to debut on the official Synchro Project YouTube channel monthly starting in August. The accompanying songs will later be available on music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
The initial opening, titled “Clothing, Food, Food, Food, Housing,” has already launched. Conceived by manga artist and illustrator Ken Sogen (Seishun Bakusou!, Nakano Boogie-Woogie), it features music by DÉ DÉ MOUSE and vocals by HITOMITOI, with storyboard and animation by pre_sktch and cinematography and editing by Ontama. The narrative unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by crop failures and resource scarcity due to climate change, where culinary traditions have vanished, leaving people dependent on rationed supplies.
The tale centers on Hotaru, a 13-year-old amnesiac traversing Tokyo’s ruins in a mobile food cart. Armed with a kitchen knife, she seeks to reintroduce fine cuisine by establishing her own restaurant. Simultaneously, a scheme to evolve humanity into “Post-Humans”—a species needing neither food nor sleep—begins to unravel. As Hotaru pursues her culinary aspirations, she must grapple with the world’s harsh realities and her own mysterious origins.
Kurogo’s representative director Gin Kudo describes Synchro Project as an “ecosystem where creators and their IPs flourish together,” ensuring fair compensation for creators and the company as the project expands. Fan engagement through viewing videos, listening to music, or purchasing merchandise directly contributes to the project’s growth into a fully realized intellectual property.
For additional details about Synchro Project, visit its official webpage.