The animated feature film Another World, produced through Digital Hollywood Graduate School's Japan IP Global Challenge Project and based on the Japanese novel Sennen Oni by Naka Saijo, is now opening in US theaters beginning June 5, 2026.
The film is an international co-production with Hong Kong-based animation studio POINT FIVE CREATIONS LIMITED, directed by Tommy Kai Chung NG and produced by Polly YEUNG. Completed in spring 2025, the film had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 — one of the world's largest animation film festivals — in the "Out of Competition / Midnight Specials" section. It was also screened at the Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia 2025 in the "Noves Visions" section in October of the same year.
Following positive reception at international film festivals, the global theatrical run began in Hong Kong on October 29, with the film ranking #1 at the box office in its opening week. The film subsequently won the Best Animated Feature Film award at the Taiwan Golden Horse Awards (established in 1962), one of the most prestigious Chinese-language film awards, and received eight nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards — including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. After theatrical runs in the UK, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and other countries, the film now makes its US theatrical debut.
About the Film
Another World is a feature-length animated film based on Sennen Oni (published by Tokuma Bunko), born from Digital Hollywood Graduate School's "Japan IP Global Challenge Project." Set in the fantastical realm of "Seigai" — a world existing between past and future — the story explores the fate of human memories and souls, blending Japanese fantasy literature with Hong Kong animation techniques to create a work crafted for international audiences.
- Original Work: Sennen Oni (by Naka Saijo / Tokuma Bunko)
- Genre: Fantasy
- Running Time: 110 minutes 41 seconds
- Country of Production: Hong Kong
- Production Company: POINT FIVE CREATIONS LIMITED
- Year of Production: 2025
- Director: Tommy Kai Chung NG / Hong Kong
- Producer: Polly YEUNG / Hong Kong
Synopsis
After death, before reincarnation, the souls of the departed journey through a fantastical world called "Seigai." Gudo is a spirit who guides these souls toward reincarnation. As he guides a girl named Yuri, he discovers that humans harbor emotions beyond his understanding. Commanded by the celestial maiden Mira to suppress Yuri's anger and prevent her transformation into a monster, Gudo sets out on a perilous mission.
Reference Links
- Original novel Sennen Oni (Tokuma Bunko): https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b496173.html
- Animation studio Point Five Creations: https://pointfivecreations.com/index.html
About the Japan IP Global Challenge Project
The "Japan IP Global Challenge Program" was established in 2016 with the goal of having Digital Hollywood Graduate School students discover high-potential, underrepresented Japanese content and adapt it for international entertainment markets. Major publisher Tokuma Shoten provided source materials for the project, with coordination support from Producer Emi Iizuka, formerly in charge of overseas film business at Amuse Inc.
Students — including international students from around the world — summarized and translated selected source works such as novels, then carried out years of sales activities by participating in international content markets such as Hong Kong Filmart and TIFFCOM, introducing works to film production companies and producers worldwide.
Among these efforts, the novel Sennen Oni caught the eye of Hong Kong independent producer Polly YEUNG, who saw strong potential in the work, ultimately giving rise to the animated feature film Another World.
Director / Producer
Tommy Kai Chung NG — Director
NG graduated from City University of Hong Kong's School of Creative Media in 2003. He has directed short animated films including "Everywhere," "Another World," and "Tale of Rebellious Stone," receiving several awards. He has also produced commercials for major brands such as Assassin's Creed and Nike Air Max, as well as music videos. In 2017, his animated feature "ZERO DAY" and Hong Kong film "Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight" attracted wide attention. He is the founder of traditional animation production company Point Five Creations, whose clients include NEC, Discovery Channel, and Kao.
Polly YEUNG — Producer
Born in Hong Kong, YEUNG completed a master's degree in European Film Studies at the University of Bath in the UK. After graduating, she studied under Hong Kong director Jacob Cheung and made her screenwriting debut on his film "Rest on Your Shoulder." She has since worked as a producer and screenwriter across live-action films, animation, and documentaries. In 2019, she joined Point Five Creations, where she wrote and produced the short animated film "Another World," earning international awards and acclaim. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she completed a professional course by Unity Technologies and obtained certification in VR application design and development, going on to produce the animated VR project "Silili & Tree" with Hong Kong Arts Development Council funding — which was selected for Busan International Film Festival 2023 – Community BIFF. She also co-founded documentary studio The Lady Improper Company, made her directorial debut with the short documentary "The Cloud Learner," and is currently producing the Mexican documentary "The Siren Song" (2025).
Yoshimura Takeshi — Executive Producer
Professor, Digital Hollywood Graduate School / Chairman, Digital Hollywood Co., Ltd.
Yoshimura has served as a comprehensive producer for overseas film rights acquisition, distribution, and promotion in various roles, including positions at Recruit Co., Ltd., Director at CCC Co., Ltd., CEO of Esquire Magazine Japan, and CEO of GAGA and Cultura Publishers (now CE). Two films he acquired received consecutive Academy Award recognition — Whiplash and Room — with other titles including Kick-Ass. He sparked a second Korean Wave in Japan with the Korean drama You're Beautiful and produced the K-pop group Infinite in Japan, achieving #1 on the Oricon Weekly charts. The anime film adaptation of Sennen Oni, developed through Digital Hollywood Graduate School's Japan IP Global Challenge program, won the grand prize at the Hong Kong Filmart's international project competition "HAF" in 2020, securing production funding from the Hong Kong government and leading to the film's creation. He has served as a full-time professor at Digital Hollywood Graduate School since its founding in 2004.
