Keanu Reeves has signed up to lead the voice cast in Japanese animation director Masashi Kawamura’s long-awaited feature film extension of his viral stop-motion short Hidari.
News of Reeve’s involvement in the project was announced at the Annecy Animation Showcase in Cannes on Sunday morning.
The action-packed feature takes inspiration from accounts of the life of legendary Edo era craftsman Jingoro Hidari.
“I’m thrilled by the vision behind Hidari. From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something truly extraordinary. It has all the makings of an exceptional film—one I’m excited to see and eager to be part of. I believe this project has the potential to bring something very special to audiences worldwide,” said Reeves.
The feature film takes its cue from Kawamura’s viral stop-motion short of the same name, which has garnered close to five million views on YouTube since it was published in 2023.
The official synopsis reads: “Betrayed by those desperate to bury the secrets of Edo Castle’s reconstruction, Jingoro loses everything. His father figure, fiancée, and even his right arm. On the brink of despair, the legendary craftsman transforms his grief into an unyielding drive for vengeance. Armed with his extraordinary carpentry skills and a series of lethal mechanical prosthetic arms, Jingoro carves his own path to justice. With his loyal companion, the Sleeping Cat, he faces his enemies in a gripping tale of revenge and self-discovery.”
The film is produced by Noriko Matsumoto under the banner of dwarf studios with Whatever, and Tecarat production. The film’s financing partner is Questry Co.’s Tomonobu Ibe, one of Japan’s leading finance professionals specializing in entertainment content finance.
Matsumoto has positioned dwarf studios as one of the first in Japan to collaborate with global streamers, with its Netflix series Rilakkuma series gaining widespread attention and popularity, while her latest project, the short film Bottle George, was shortlisted at the 2025 Oscars.
Kawamura’s career spans commercials, music videos, and television shows to creating clones for Lady Gaga and designing the largest pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025. His projects have earned global recognition, including a Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, an International Emmy Award nomination.
“I’m super excited to be collaborating with Keanu. When someone with his experience and creative vision watches your proof of concept and says ‘I want to be part of this,’ it’s an incredible feeling. He’s not just lending his voice to Hidari, he’s helping us shape and expand this world, and I can’t wait to see where we take it together,” he said.
