Kiddy Grade

Kiddy Grade was produced by Studio GONZO and directed by Keiji Gotoh, premiering in 2002 as a science fiction action series. Set in a future where a galactic organization known as the GOTT maintains order, the narrative focuses on the work of Éclair and Lumière, two agents with superpowers. The project was conceived during a period of high experimentation for GONZO, blending traditional character animation with the studio's signature integration of 3D digital effects to visualize spacecraft and complex machinery.

The character designs were handled by Hidefumi Kimura, who opted for a vibrant, stylized aesthetic that contrasted with the more grounded mechanical designs of the era. The series was designed to explore themes of bureaucracy, memory, and identity through the lens of a space opera. Upon its release, it received a mixed reception; while critics praised the ambitious animation style and world-building, some found the pacing inconsistent, though it eventually cultivated a dedicated following that appreciated its distinctive visual identity and late-series narrative shifts.