Operation ONI

This is a fictional story about Japan, when there were "samurai"s.

A war is about to break out between humans and the Empire of Spirits. Mao, the strongest samurai with ONI horns, had been separated from her parents by death and was raised by the tyrannical lord.

Mao is human, but because of the demon horn on her head, she is not considered human. She has always felt lonely.

Only her best friend, Onatsu, was able to save her from her loneliness. Filled with Onatsu's family-like love and affection, Mao felt happy for the first time in her life.

Then, a war begins between humans and monsters. Mao is going to protect both their country and Onatsu. But Onatsu says, "This is the end of our friendship." She bursts into tears and disappears.

What is the true meaning of Onatsu's words?
And what will become of their friendship?

The truth is hidden in Mao's mysterious horns...

  • Hiroshi Takane
    Director
  • Hiroshi Takane
    Writer
    428: Shibuya Scramble, Fire Emblem, NHK, LEXUS, SONY, Wacoal, BABYMETAL, and Granblue Fantasy
  • Hiroshi Takane
    Producer
  • Risa Imayanagi
    Key Cast
    "Mao"
    Yugioh Seven, Survive the Night, Pacific Rim: The Black
  • Yuri Kondo
    Key Cast
    "Onatsu"
    McDONALD'S (TV ads), TOYOTA (Radio ads)
  • Takashi Narumi
    Key Cast
    "Hakuo"
    BETWEEN, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, STALINGRAD
  • Momoko Iwasawa
    Key Cast
    "Ohaguro Bettari"
    My ID is Kang Nam Beauty, Flight SOS Lost in the Pacific
  • Tomiko Claire
    Key Cast
    "Sanagi"
    Little Love Song
  • Ryoku Dion
    Key Cast
    "Saki"
  • Mino Kihashi
    Animator
  • Sho Hosokawa
    Background artist
  • Suzu Nomiya
    Character Designer
  • Hazeiko
    Character Designer
  • Fawkes Sutherland
    Music Composer
  • Hiroko Aoyama
    Script Director
  • Soundays
    Arranger
  • Marco Preißer
    English Advisor
  • Deanna J. Wright
    Translator
  • Eugene Kwaku
    Public Relations
  • Jean-Michel Bruyere
    Business Advisor
  • Project Type:
    Animation
  • Genres:
    Japanese Sumi-e anime
  • Country of Origin:
    Japan
  • Country of Filming:
    Japan
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Hiroshi Takane

Hiroshi Takane
Producer, Director, Story, Script Writer and Editor of Operation ONI

A professional scriptwriter and director born in Tokyo Japan in 1979. In 2005, he graduated from the department of scriptwriting of Japan Academy of Moving Images, that Director Shōhei Imamura established, and began his career on 428: Shibuya Scramble in 2006, as a member of Synthese Co., Ltd., a scriptwriting company, of which he is a founding member. He has been writing scripts for Fire Emblem and other famous titles for more than 15 years, and also has worked on advertisements for NHK, LEXUS, SONY, Wacoal, BABYMETAL, and Granblue Fantasy etc. This is his first film as a director.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Hello from Japan!

I’m Hiroshi Takane, the producer, director, editor and scriptwriter of the indie anime named Operation ONI, created in Sumi-e, one of the East Asian styles of traditional brush painting.

I’m usually working as a professional scriptwriter in the Japanese video game & advertisement industry. I have been writing for famous titles and companies such as Fire Emblem Fate, TOYOTA LEXUS and SONY and so on for more than 15 years.

While Sumi-e doesn't use many colors, it can express rich and impressive scenes. It's extremely compelling and I'm sure you will feel inspired by it. We are very honored to invite you to this mysterious and traditional Asian world. I hope that many people will discover this oriental culture and enjoy the new sensory experience.

Are you ready to be surprised?

Best Regards,
Hiroshi Takane