Freed after 400 years of supernatural imprisonment, a majestic trickster Kitsune named Kiyoshi, forms an unsettling friendship with a private art college student named Jay, as they battle a formidable Yōkai overlord and protect both worlds from monstrous threats, relentless humans and supernatural hunters in the city of Chicago, all while wrestling with their own burgeoning connection.
"Chi-Town Yōkai" will embrace a dynamic and multifaceted animation style, reflecting its genre inspirations. Expect a pastel/vibrant aesthetic that pops with color, inspired by the bold palettes of Spider-Man: Into/Across the Spider-Verse and Mitchells Vs. The Machines. This will seamlessly blend with traditional Japanese handscroll painting and ukiyo-e woodblock print influences, particularly in flashback sequences, Yokai transformations, and spiritual manifestations, echoing the artistry of Blue Eye Samurai and Peach Momoko's work. Contemporary elements, like the frenetic energy and stylized action of K-Pop Demon Hunters and the expressive character work of Nimona and Sailor Moon, will define everyday Chicago life and character interactions. Expect exaggerated expressions and fluid, action-packed sequences for both mundane moments and supernatural battles. The animation will be highly stylized—think broken framerates for impactful moments, a varied line weight that adds depth and texture, and distinctive visual filters to differentiate between the human and supernatural realms. Horror and psychological thriller elements will be conveyed through unsettling color palettes, distorted perspectives, and fluid, almost grotesque character deformations, drawing from House (1977) and Suspiria (1977). Sci-fi influences will manifest in crisp, almost clinical designs for S.T.E.A.M. technology and Nurarihyon's armor, evoking the clean lines of Alien and Star Wars. Raunchy comedy will utilize rubber-hose animation principles for slapstick and exaggerated reactions, while romance will feature softer lighting, expressive character glances, and fluid, almost dance-like movements. Mystery will use chiaroscuro lighting and subtle visual cues to build suspense, and dark/light fantasy will allow for a wide range of creature designs and magical effects, from the ethereal to the truly terrifying. The overall effect will be a rich, layered visual experience that consistently surprises and engages the audience, blurring the lines between animation styles to create something wholly unique.