Renowned for its distinct visual storytelling in celebrated titles such as Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Delicious in Dungeon, and Darling in the FRANXX, Studio TRIGGER continues to shape the trajectory of modern anime production. During Otakon 2026, held from July 31 to August 2, creative heads sat down to discuss their journey, the studio's unique environment, and highly anticipated upcoming works.
Creative Philosophies in Night City
Discussing the visual approach behind the upcoming Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, character designer and chief animation director Ichigo Kanno noted that the sequel adopts a distinct conceptual framework compared to its predecessor. While the initial season focused heavily on survival within an unyielding urban sprawl, the new installment explores alternate thematic territory, which naturally necessitated a refined aesthetic direction.
Producer and head of story Hiromi Wakabayashi also touched upon the overwhelming global response to the announcement regarding Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima collaborating on a brand-new original project. Despite releasing minimal details—omitting titles, genres, and key visuals—the announcement instantly captured worldwide attention, serving as a powerful motivator for the creative team.
A Decade of Growth at TRIGGER
Reflecting on nearly ten years at the studio since joining around 2017 and contributing to landmark productions like PROMARE and Delicious in Dungeon, animators Kazuki Chiba and Ichigo Kanno shared how collaborative workflows shaped their artistic identities. Chiba noted that tackling distinct roles, such as directing ending sequences, helped clarify personal strengths and creative ambitions, while Kanno emphasized the value of interpersonal creative exchanges.
The conversation offered rare insight into the inner workings of one of the industry's most influential animation houses, highlighting how Studio TRIGGER maintains its signature creative freedom and bold artistic vision.
