“Hidari”: Japanese Filmmaker Masashi Kawamura Reveals the Epic Craftsmanship 2023 Project With Keanu Reeves
When Masashi Kawamura launched his viral stop-motion picture short “Hidari” in 2023, the Japanese filmmaker revealed that he never could have imagined that he would be working with Keanu Reeves to collaborate on a full-length feature version of the film. Kawamura even admitted it was luck getting Reeves on board with the project.
The Vision and Innovation Behind “Hidari’s” Stop‑Motion World
Per Deadline, Kawamura admitted, “There was a lot of luck getting Keanu.” When he completed the proof of concept for the film, he made a list of people he wanted to work with, and Reeves was at the top. At its core, “Hidari” is a quest-for-revenge story rooted in grief. The protagonist, Jingoro, is a craftsman who loses nearly everything. He loses a father figure, his fiancée, and his right arm after a betrayal tied to the reconstruction of Edo Castle. The film follows his descent from despair to a single‑minded pursuit of justice.
Kawamura frames the narrative with action and invention: Jingoro’s carpentry skills become weapons, and a series of mechanical prosthetic arms and wooden contraptions propel the film’s set pieces. The “Sleeping Cat,” a famous sculpture associated with the real‑world Tōshōgū Shrine in Nikkō, appears in the story as a companion and symbolic touchstone. When Kawamura and his producer, Noriko Matsumoto, reached out to Reeves and his team, they were excited to know that Reeves liked the story and was on board with the project to voice Jingoro.
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Keanu Reeves Gives Statement On The Project
Reeves spoke about his intrigue with the story in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter: “I’m thrilled by the vision behind “Hidari.” From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something truly extraordinary. It has all the makings of an exceptional film, one I’m excited to see and eager to be part of. I believe this project has the potential to bring something very special to audiences worldwide.”
Reeves is no stranger to voiceover roles, as he previously did that kind of work on Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” (2019) and Shadow the Hedgehog in “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” (2024). In addition, he narrated and produced his own “BRZRKR” comic-book and Netflix banner. Kawamura has an impressive resume himself, as he got a Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, an International Emmy nomination, and top honors at the One Show and Clio Awards.
At last year’s Osaka World Expo, he designed the largest pavilion and created dancing clones for some of Lady Gaga’s stage work. Dwarf Studios, a Tokyo creative agency called Whatever, and animation house TECARAT are co-producing the feature. The financing for “Hidari” comes from Questry Co.’s Tomonobu Ibe, a pro of Japanese entertainment-content finance.
The 2023 proof-of-concept short has drawn in close to 5 million views on YouTube since its release on the platform. Matsumoto is the head of Dwarf Studios, and it partnered with Netflix on the “Rilakkuma” series. In addition, the studio’s recent short “Bottle George” was shortlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards. Kawamura also expressed excitement about working with Reeves and that he is very focused on making “Hidari” even better.
The announcement of the casting of Reeves in “Hidari” came during the Annecy Animation Showcase at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2026. The news represents a milestone for Reeves’ voice acting career as he will play his first role in an original Japanese production. No official release date has been announced for the film yet.
Editors: Need help finding an image of “Hidari!”
