Fox Fears

Fox Fears, known in Japanese as 'Kitsune no Kure,' is a short animated film produced by the students of the Tokyo University of the Arts, or Geidai, specifically under the guidance of the Animation Department. Released in 2013, the film serves as a notable example of the university's focus on nurturing independent artistic voices and experimental storytelling techniques. It emerged from a creative environment where students are encouraged to move away from commercial tropes, instead utilizing traditional craftsmanship and personal vision to create self-contained, often surreal narratives.

The film was directed and illustrated by Miyo Sato, whose distinct style involves painting directly onto glass, a labor-intensive technique that gives the animation a fluid, metamorphic quality. This approach creates a sense of instability and shifting perspectives, mirroring the psychological unease inherent in the film's folk-horror themes. Upon its festival release, Fox Fears was well-received by animation critics and international audiences alike, frequently highlighted for its visceral texture and the innovative way it bridges the gap between traditional painting and the medium of stop-motion animation.