Under the Dog

Under the Dog originated as a high-profile crowdfunding project on Kickstarter, launched in 2014 by producer Jiro Ishii and director Masahiro Ando. The production was conceived as a way to circumvent traditional Japanese animation committee structures, aiming to create a mature, gritty science fiction narrative free from mainstream commercial pressures. The campaign saw significant international support, eventually leading to the release of the OVA in 2016 through a partnership with Kinema Citrus and Orange.

The visual design and animation direction were handled by Kinema Citrus, focusing on a dark, grounded aesthetic that leaned into the dystopian tone of the screenplay written by Yukinori Kitajima. The project aimed to evoke a sense of late 1980s and early 1990s OVA classics, prioritizing intricate action choreography and a somber atmosphere. Upon its release, it was received as a polarizing work; critics often praised its technical animation quality and ambitious scope, while some viewers noted that the dense, complex world-building felt restricted by the singular episode's runtime.