Japanese entertainment company BLUE RIGHTS released a pilot film on YouTube on November 13 at 10 AM JST for its original feature anime Orochi Seventh Echoes [1]. Directed by veteran animator Takashi Nakamura, the planned 90-minute movie blends folklore with fantasy elements, following an exiled boy named Agni who accidentally wakes an ancient force of destruction in the kingdom of Kukulkan [2].
Pilot Debut on YouTube
The pilot video arrived on YouTube. Uploaded by BLUE RIGHTS, the footage presents the movement and visual design of Orochi Seventh Echoes to international audiences while showcasing the animation style crafted under the supervision of director Takashi Nakamura [1]. The video features an original theme song titled “Zankyo” performed by neNna, establishing a moody musical backdrop that introduces viewers to this newly revealed fantasy realm [2]. BLUE RIGHTS previously released a pilot for an anime titled Ninja Skooler, expanding its growing catalog of original animated properties with backing from early sponsor Anime Trending [1] [3]. Anime Trending is credited directly in the pilot video [1].
Makoto Kimura founded BLUE RIGHTS in 2024 after retiring from anime studio MAPPA. At MAPPA, Kimura served as executive director, rights management director, and producer on major television anime before stepping away to establish his own independent entertainment enterprise [2]. Kimura now leads BLUE RIGHTS as chief producer [3].
Kimura announced when forming BLUE RIGHTS that it would produce televised series, theatrical features, serialized manga, novels, music videos, and character merchandise to build enduring entertainment brands. BLUE RIGHTS avoids running internal animators. Instead, BLUE RIGHTS prioritizes planning and production management, assembling custom creative teams for each individual title by partnering with experienced freelance animators and outside studios on a title-by-title basis. By managing intellectual property rights directly, Kimura and BLUE RIGHTS aim to maintain artistic control over characters and storylines as properties expand into international markets and multiple commercial formats [2].
Orochi Seventh Echoes Story Premise
Kukulkan is a fantasy realm. Its entire society and culture are sustained purely by sound waves. Prince Agni is born into the royal court carrying a forbidden power named Hizumi, prompting frightened royals to cast the infant out at birth to grow up far from the palace with a devoted guardian and loyal friends [2].
Agni lives peacefully until his dormant energy awakens the spirit Orochi. In kingdom lore, Orochi is an ancient wrathful entity created during an old betrayal ten centuries earlier and long believed to have perished from the world of Kukulkan [1]. When Orochi stirs, it speaks to Agni and calls him “my son”. This shocking revelation forces Agni to question his royal lineage and the true purpose of his power as he steps forward to shield his companions from catastrophic destruction [2]. Sound waves and ancient myth resonate together as Agni fights to break a cycle of hatred that has gripped Kukulkan for a thousand years without succumbing to despair [1]. His quest tests every loyal friendship [2].
The young prince faces a harsh destiny [1]. Can an exiled boy master a dangerous power without becoming the very disaster his people fear? Agni must rely on his companions to survive as danger spreads across Kukulkan, threatening to tear down the kingdom before he can unravel the truth [2].
The Animation Staff
Director Takashi Nakamura leads the creative team. Nakamura previously directed the television series Fantastic Children and the theatrical anime movie A Tree of Palme [1]. Earlier in his career, Nakamura served as animation director on the landmark anime film Akira, supervising key scenes that influenced generations of animation artists in Japan and abroad [2].
Nakamura guided multiple creative roles. For this movie, Nakamura created the original concept, drafted the narrative story, drew the original character designs, prepared background layouts, and drew key animation frames in addition to directing. Character designer Tokuyuki Matsutake brings extensive experience from anime titles such as Tales of Destiny and the home video series Tales of Phantasia: The Animation. Background art director Kazuyuki Hashimoto contributes visual expertise from anime including PLUTO and the romance anime Kase-San and Morning Glories. BLUE RIGHTS unites these experienced creators to deliver refined hand-drawn imagery that defines the visual tone of Orochi Seventh Echoes [1] [3].
BLUE RIGHTS oversees animation planning and business coordination [1]. Producer Makoto Kimura manages operations directly, securing distribution channels while letting Nakamura guide the artistic vision without interference from large commercial studio committees. Kimura and Nakamura aim to maintain independent creative leadership throughout the multi-year production [2].
Pitching Orochi Seventh Echoes at Annecy
International buyers first saw the anime in France. Selected under the Global Anime Challenge initiative, Orochi Seventh Echoes was presented at the Annecy 2026 International Animation Film Festival in the Partners Pitches programme with 11 other titles seeking co-production partners. Annecy provided valuable global industry exposure [1].
The official Annecy festival catalogue lists the finished feature at 90 minutes (one hour and thirty minutes) [3]. This confirmed runtime confirms that BLUE RIGHTS is developing a complete theatrical film rather than a short promotional video. A 90-minute length gives Nakamura time to explore Agni’s personal growth, reveal the auditory mechanics of Kukulkan, and present the battle against the awakened spirit in rich visual detail. By pitching at Annecy, BLUE RIGHTS aimed to attract global distributors and co-financiers early in development to ensure adequate funding for full-scale theatrical animation production [1].
BLUE RIGHTS plans to expand Orochi Seventh Echoes beyond a single movie. The company is seeking partners to develop serialized manga, short films, and character toys based on Kukulkan to establish a multi-tiered entertainment brand. Kimura said original entertainment properties require multi-format releases to reach global audiences and build lasting commercial value [2].
The 1925 Silent Film
The title connects to cinema history. In 1925, director Buntarō Futagawa released a silent chambara movie titled Orochi at Makino Film with cinematography handled by Seizō Ishino [4] [5]. That black-and-white release transformed Japanese cinema by portraying a rebellious, misunderstood samurai rather than a conventional noble warrior, challenging the rigid social norms of its time [4].
The 1925 film starred popular actor Tsumasaburō Bandō. Audiences knew Bandō as the “king of swordplay” for his energetic fight scenes [5]. Accompanied by live benshi narrators, the 74-minute film departed from rigid kabuki conventions to present kinetic sword battles that influenced later samurai cinema for future generations. Censors initially rejected the planned title “Outlaw” because portraying an outlaw as a heroic figure was viewed as dangerous to public order. The filmmakers then adopted the name “Serpent” (Orochi), comparing Bandō’s wild combat movements to a thrashing snake before Japanese police censors finally approved the theatrical release. The movie stands as Bandō’s most famous performance [4].
Digital Meme preserves the 1925 classic today. The British Film Institute recognized it as the best Japanese film of 1925, praising Bandō’s performance and the stylish fight choreography staged by Futagawa [4]. By using the Orochi name, BLUE RIGHTS honors a legendary Japanese story of rebellion and mythic struggle that continues to inspire modern anime storytellers [2].
- ONLINE NEWS Tan, M. (2026, November 13). Orochi -Seventh Echoes- anime pilot drops on YouTube. Anime Trending. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Cayanan, J. (2026, November 12). Blue Rights company unveils pilot film for Orochi -Seventh Echoes- original animated feature. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Tan, M. (2026, November 10). Orochi -Seventh Echoes- anime film’s pilot to get YouTube release on November 13. Anime Trending. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Wikimedia Foundation. (2008, November 4). Orochi (film). Wikipedia. [Article Link]
- DICTIONARY ENTRY Kotobank. (2005, January 1). Orochi to wa? [What is Orochi?]. Digital Daijisen; Heibonsha World Encyclopedia. [Article Link]
