The Tokyo Great Bears volleyball team debuted a film with animation by MAPPA at their first game on Saturday. The whole film is only available at the team’s matches, but MAPPA has provided some screenshots to offer spectators a taste of what to expect.
The “Opening Movie” by the team is a mix of live-action and animation. Geek Pictures’ Hiro Kimura directed the video. The animation was created by Ryouhei Muta (Violet Evergarden, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit key animator). The music was supplied by the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
Check out the screencaps provided by the official Twitter page of MAPPA here:
Tokyo Great Bears is a Japanese male volleyball team that competes in V.Competition Division 1, Japan’s highest volleyball league. Nature Lab Co., Ltd. will be founded in May 2022 and will begin competing in the 2022-23 season.
The team name refers to the players and supporters who are linked, much like the seven stars of the Big Dipper, which are part of Ursa Major. Through volleyball, the club hopes to unite people, regions, and the world. They will foresee a future in which volleyball is more thrilling and appealing.
The FC Tokyo volleyball team stated in 2021 that it would cease operations following the 2021-22 V. League season. However, it was revealed in May 2022 that the team was moved to Nature Lab Co., Ltd. and renamed the Tokyo Great Bears.
In the same month, Great Bears Co., Ltd. was established as the club’s management firm under Nature Lab, and some FC Tokyo players were also transferred to the team.
Professional contracts are offered to all players.
Meanwhile, MAPPA is a famous animation studio in Japan home to some of the most widely known anime today. The final season of Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, Yurii on Ice, Kids on the Slope, and many more are the works of the famous studio. Known for its beautiful animation and exquisite artistry, the animation studio has established a good reputation amongst fans and critics alike.
Read More: The First Slam Dunk Movie Will Have IMAX, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Cinema Screenings in Japan
