Promare: Lio

Promare was released in 2019 as the first feature-length film from Studio TRIGGER, directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by Kazuki Nakashima. The project was born out of the studio's desire to push their signature high-octane, visually explosive animation style to its limit, resulting in a production known for its distinctive use of neon color palettes and geometric art direction. Lio Fotia, the leader of the Mad Burnish, was designed by Shigeto Koyama, who sought to create a character that balanced intense, fiery energy with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that stood out against the film's complex backdrops.

Upon its release, the film and its central characters received significant acclaim for their bold artistic departure from traditional anime aesthetics. The design of Lio served as a focal point for the film's thematic exploration of environmental conflict and identity, becoming an iconic symbol of the studio's modern output. Critics and fans alike noted how the character's visual design—influenced by punk fashion and fluid, expressive animation—helped define the unique sensory experience that characterizes TRIGGER's collaborative relationship between Imaishi and Nakashima.