100-Nichikan Ikita Wani

The 2021 animated feature 100-Nichikan Ikita Wani, or The Crocodile That Lived for 100 Days, was produced by Studio TIA and based on the viral four-panel manga by Yuuki Kikuchi. The original comic was published daily on Twitter from December 2019 to March 2020, depicting the mundane, relatable life of a crocodile oblivious to the fact that he had exactly one hundred days left to live. The cinematic adaptation sought to expand this poignant narrative into a full-length feature, exploring themes of mortality and the importance of living in the present moment.

Directed by Shinichiro Ueda and Miyuki Fukuda, the film aimed to retain the minimalist aesthetic of Kikuchi's original illustrations while providing a more fleshed-out look at the social dynamics between the crocodile and his circle of friends. Upon its release, the project faced significant public scrutiny, largely due to a controversial marketing campaign that resulted in a public backlash regarding the perceived commercialization of a story originally rooted in genuine, grassroots engagement. Despite the skepticism surrounding its release, the film remains a notable artifact of the transition from internet-native content to traditional media production.