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Oni: Thunder God's Tale

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Oni: Thunder God's Tale (Japanese: ONI ~ 神々山のおなり, Hepburn: ONI: Kamigamiyama no Onari) is an animated[1] fantasy television limited series created by Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi for Netflix.[2][3] Based on "Onari's Lullaby" by Emi Tsutsumi, and inspired by various Japanese folklore, the series tells a story of Onari, who sets on a path of becoming one of the folklore heroes, protecting her peaceful village from the mysterious oni.[4][5] Produced by Tonko House and animated by Megalis VFX and Dwarf Studios, the series premiered on October 21, 2022.[3][6]

Oni: Thunder God's Tale
ONI ~ 神々山のおなり (Japanese: ONI: Kamigamiyama no Onari)
Genre
Created by
Developed by
  • Daisuke Tsutsumi
Written by
Starring
Country of origin
  • Japan
  • United States
Original language
  • English
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Daisuke Tsutsumi
  • Robert Kondo
  • Kane Lee
Producer
  • Sara K. Sampson
Running time
  • 42–47 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)

Synopsis

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Set in Japanese mythology. One of the free-spirited children, Onari, had a unique power yet to be seen by her peers in a world of oddball gods and monsters of the Japanese folklore. Aspiring to be one of the mightiest heroes of her village, she decided to take a journey to discover her own power. However, when a mysterious group of "Oni" threaten her own village, reputed for being peaceful for ages, she also had to rise to the occasion to thwart their attack and protect people of her village.[4][6]

Cast

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Onari's Kushi Power"Daisuke Tsutsumi and Erick OhMari OkadaOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)
It is a brand new day at Mount Kamigami and the feisty Onari preps for the first day of school — where she will learn her powers for the challenges ahead.
2"The Mighty Storm Gods"Daisuke Tsutsumi and Hikari ToriumiMari OkadaOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)
With a newfound sense of purpose, Onari tells her classmates how she'll beat the Oni. Meanwhile, an unexpected guest arrives at Mount Kamigami.
3"The Truth"Daisuke Tsutsumi and Thad CarlileMari OkadaOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)
Lost in the Oni village, Onari musters the courage to search for clues about her Kushi power. Back on the mountain, the Kami prepare for the Demon Moon.
4"The Demon Moon Rises"Daisuke Tsutsumi and Michelle LamMari OkadaOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)
When Naridon's secret comes out, Mount Kamigami falls into utter chaos. Hurt and hopeless, a crestfallen Onari finds an unlikely kindred spirit.

Production

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Conception

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After spending several years of his career in the American animation industry, Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi began to wonder whether he would get a platform to tell another part of his identity.[2] Dice then decided to start an animation project, dedicated on telling a story true to his cultural heritage. Hence, he began to conceptualize a story which were based on a Japanese mythology with a modern twist.[6] With his project, he sought to shift the common perspective of onis and the notion of good and evil into a different angle.[7] It was revealed later on October 20, 2022, that Tsutsumi had based the story on the poetry "Onari's Lullaby" written by his late mother, Emi Tsutsumi, who was a poet.[5]

The environment of the series was largely inspired by Yakushima in the southern Japan, where Dice and Mari Okada often visit. Its forests, along with its vegetations, were made as the reference for the settings of Onari's neighborhood.[5]

Development

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On March 4, 2019, Tonko House, Daisuke Tsutsumi's own animation studio, unveiled the project, dubbed as Oni , as a part of the studio's project slates among other projects such as Leo and Sleepy Pines.[3][6] The project was revealed to be a CGI animated and stop-motion hybrid television series, produced (and animated) by Tonko House with its animation developed by CG studio Megalis and Japanese stop-motion animation house Dwarf Animation, with the latter responsible for a Netflix animated series, Rilakkuma and Kaoru.[3][6] The animated series was revealed to be created and directed by Tsutsumi himself. The test footage of Oni was revealed on the first Tonko House Film Festival in spring 2019.[3][6]

On November 21, 2019, Netflix announced its collaboration with Tonko House, with Netflix joined the production board of Oni and picked up the series to release on the streaming platform.[2][7][8] Along with the announcement, Daisuke Tsutsumi, Robert Kondo and Kane Lee of Tonko House were revealed as executive producers of the series with Sara K. Sampson serving as the sole producer.[7][8]

On June 2, 2022, the television series was officially titled as Oni: Thunder God's Tale.[9] It would be released as limited series consisting of four episodes with Mari Okada revealed as the main writer of the series ever since 2021.[9][10][11][12] CG studios, Marza and Anima were revealed to have joined the animation development.[11][13]

Casting

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The casting of the limited series was revealed on June 2, 2022.[9][10][12] Momona Tamada, Archie Yates, Craig Robinson, Tantoo Cardinal, Brittany Ishibashi, Omar Benson Miller, Anna Akana, Charlet Takahashi Chung, Miyuki Sawashiro, Yuki Matsuzaki, Seth Carr, Robert Kondo, and George Takei were revealed as part of the ensemble voice cast.[4][13][14]

Release

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The series would set to launch globally on the streaming platform on October 21, 2022.[4] A special screenings of the series on Animation Is Film Festival was set to premiere on October 22, 2022.[15][16][17]

Marketing

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The first teaser trailer of Oni: Thunder God's Tale was released on June 2, 2022, along with various visuals of the series.[9][10][12] The series were also announced at Annecy Festival 2022 as part of Netflix's "work-in-progress" lineup.[18] On September 25, 2022, the series were showcased as part of Netflix TUDUM Japan lineup with its release date announced on official channels.[19][20]

References

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  1. ^ ONI: Thunder God Tales - A Young Studio's Adventure with Solaris | Megalis | Annecy HIVE 2023, 25 July 2023, retrieved 2023-07-26
  2. ^ a b c "NETFLIX DEVELOPS NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURE SERIES ONI INSPIRED BY JAPANESE FOLKLORE". Netflix. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  3. ^ a b c d e Aguilar, Carlos (2019-03-05). "Tonko House Takes Back 'Dam Keeper' Rights From Fox, Announces New Development Slate". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  4. ^ a b c d Moore, Kasey (2022-09-13). "'ONI: Thunder God's Tale' Headed to Netflix in October 2022". What's on Netflix. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  5. ^ a b c Murphy, Jackson (2022-10-20). "INTERVIEW: The Might And Heart Of "Oni: Thunder God's Tale" – Animation Scoop". www.animationscoop.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Flores, Terry (2019-03-04). "Animation Studio Tonko House Unveils Development Slate (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  7. ^ a b c Hewitt, Zoe (2019-12-05). "Curiosity Key to Tonko House's Diverse Slate". Variety. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  8. ^ a b White, Peter (2019-11-21). "Netflix Greenlights Japanese Folklore Animated Series 'ONI' From Oscar-Nominated Studio Tonko House". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  9. ^ a b c d Leishman, Rachel (2022-06-02). "'ONI: Thunder God's Tale' Trailer Reveals Animated Mythological Adventure". Collider. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  10. ^ a b c Lang, Jamie (2022-06-02). "Netflix Unveils First Teaser For Tonko House's 'Oni: Thunder God's Tale'". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  11. ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (2021-09-10). "Tonko House Reveals First Look at 'Oni,' Taps Screenwriter Mari Okada". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  12. ^ a b c Milligan, Mercedes (2022-06-02). "Netflix Unveils 'ONI: Thunder God's Tale' Cast & Teaser from Tonko House". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  13. ^ a b Moo, William (2022-09-27). ""Dice" Tsutsumi & Mari Okada's Oni: Thunder God's Tale Animated Series Premieres October 21 On Netflix". Anime Trending. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (2022-08-16). "'Black Panther', 'Mysterious Benedict Society' Actor Seth Carr Signs With Gersh". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  15. ^ Lang, Jamie (2022-09-23). "Animation Is Film Expands Into Second Weekend With Its Largest Program To Date". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  16. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (2022-09-22). "Animation Is Film Festival Announces 2022 Lineup Featuring Henry Selick's 'Wendell & Wild'". IndieWire. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  17. ^ "Oni: Thunder God's Tale". Animation Is Film. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  18. ^ Lang, Jamie (2022-05-05). "Annecy Unveils 15 Projects Picked For 2022 Work-In-Progress Sessions". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  19. ^ "Tudum Recap: Everything You Missed From Our Show From Japan". Netflix. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  20. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2022-09-27). "Netflix TUDUM Japan Recap: New Anime Announcements, First Looks & More". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
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