Hand Shakers

Hand Shakers was produced by the Japanese animation studio GoHands and first aired in early 2017. The series was developed as part of a collaborative project to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the studio, intending to showcase their distinctive, hyper-stylized approach to visual production. Set in an alternate version of Osaka, the narrative follows characters who form pairs to participate in battles within a parallel dimension known as the Ziggurat.

The production is notable for its ambitious use of 3D computer graphics integrated with complex 2D character designs, creating a unique and often polarizing aesthetic characterized by high-contrast lighting and unconventional camera angles. While the visual direction was intended to push the boundaries of television animation techniques, the series received mixed critical reception, with observers often noting that the dense visual style occasionally overshadowed the pacing of the storytelling.