The indie short film âme/rité captured the attention of animation enthusiasts upon its release, blending flat 2D character designs with striking live-action backgrounds captured on location in Yamagata City. Produced by the two-man independent unit Studio Sample—comprising director Killer Washing Machine and animator Nekoless—the short presents a surreal encounter between young protagonists and a man-eating creature amidst architectural urban landscapes.
In an exclusive interview, director Killer Washing Machine shared insights into the creative process behind âme/rité, drawing inspiration from cinematic landmarks such as Kizumonogatari and the directorial philosophies of Akio Jissoji. By utilizing CinemaScope framing and prime lenses on a Sony mirrorless camera, the team consciously avoided a generic low-budget aesthetic, instead cultivating an intentional spatial unease between the drawn cels and the information-heavy real-world environments.
