📰 Continuing coverage: Rome Kanda, Hitomi Kuroki lead Japanese drama ‘Ohenro’ by UK director

Actor Keanu Reeves will headline the voice cast of Hidari, a Japanese stop-motion samurai epic directed by Masashi Kawamura. The feature-length film builds on a 2023 proof-of-concept short that’s racked up nearly 5 million views on YouTube since its release. Reeves’ involvement adds star power to a project already gaining attention for its ambitious animation style and historical setting.

Hidari marks Kawamura’s first feature-length project after his 2023 short went viral. The stop-motion technique—where physical puppets are moved incrementally and photographed frame-by-frame—gives the film a distinctive look compared to modern CGI-heavy productions. Kawamura’s short introduced a samurai story set in feudal Japan, using the painstaking process to create a visually striking, tactile world. The director has confirmed that the feature will expand on the same narrative and aesthetic.

Reeves will voice the protagonist, a role that’s expected to carry the emotional and narrative weight of the film. While the actor’s involvement is a major draw, the project’s real fascination lies in its technical approach. Stop-motion animation is rarely used for large-scale feature films today, especially in genres like samurai epics, where CGI dominates. The team behind Hidari is banking on the medium’s unique charm to stand out in a crowded animation landscape.

Kawamura, who previously worked in commercials and short films, has assembled a team skilled in practical effects and traditional animation. The director has spoken about the challenges of scaling up the short’s production, including sourcing materials for puppets and sets that can withstand the rigors of stop-motion filming. Budget details haven’t been disclosed, but the viral success of the 2023 short likely helped secure funding for the feature.

The film’s title, Hidari, is a Japanese word meaning “left,” a nod to the cultural significance of the left hand in samurai traditions. In historical Japan, left-handed warriors were often seen as unconventional but highly skilled, a theme Kawamura has hinted will play into the story. The short film’s visuals already reflect this, with detailed costumes, weapons, and set pieces that feel lifted from a museum exhibit.

Production is reportedly underway in Japan, with Reeves recording his voice lines remotely. The team aims for a 2025 release, though no official date has been set. If the feature lives up to the short’s buzz, it could redefine what audiences expect from stop-motion animation—moving beyond kids’ films to tackle mature, historical stories with depth and artistry.

For now, Hidari remains one of the most intriguing animation projects on the horizon, blending Reeves’ star power with Kawamura’s vision for a handcrafted samurai epic.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Hollywood Reporter
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 09:30 UTC
  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topics: #hollywood · #movies · #keanu-reeves · #lead-voice-cast · #hidari

Read the Full Story

This is a curated summary. For the complete article, original data, quotes and full analysis:

Read the full story on Hollywood Reporter →

All reporting rights belong to the respective author(s) at Hollywood Reporter. GlobalBR News summarizes publicly available content to help readers discover the most relevant global news.

Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O mundo do cinema ganha mais um marco da arte stop-motion com a confirmação de Keanu Reeves como protagonista de Hidari, um épico samurai japonês que promete redefinir os limites da animação em volume. O anúncio, feito pelo diretor Masashi Kawamura — responsável pelo viral de 2023 que já encantou milhões —, coloca o ator brasileiro-norte-americano no centro de uma produção que mistura tradição japonesa e técnicas inovadoras, selando uma parceria que pode surpreender até mesmo os fãs mais exigentes do cinema de animação.

Hidari chega ao Brasil em um momento de crescente valorização das produções japonesas no país, especialmente após o sucesso de franquias como Attack on Titan e Demon Slayer, que demonstram o apetite do público lusófono por narrativas visuais impactantes e personagens profundos. A participação de Reeves, conhecido por seu carisma e versatilidade em papéis intensos — de John Wick a Matrix —, eleva o projeto a um patamar global, potencializando o alcance de uma obra que já nasce com potencial de se tornar cult. Além disso, a técnica de stop-motion, ainda pouco explorada no mainstream brasileiro, pode atrair a atenção de cineastas e fãs do gênero, que buscam cada vez mais diversidade de linguagem audiovisual.

Com produção prevista para começar ainda este ano, Hidari já acende a expectativa dos brasileiros: será que o “Reeves brasileiro” dos cinemas — como muitos o chamam — conseguirá emplacar mais uma performance inesquecível em um formato tão distinto?