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Kenichi Sonoda's Bean Bandit Anime Kickstarter Campaign Reaches Initial Goal
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Kenichi Sonoda's Kickstarter campaign for his Bean Bandit anime reached its 15,000,000 yen (US$135,191) goal on Saturday. As of press time, the campaign has raised 15,122,137 yen (about US$138,065).
The initial goal of the project is to make a five-minute animation, with stretch goals that could expand the runtime to 20 minutes (at US$380,000) or 45 minutes (at US$800,000). The animation will get a Blu-ray Disc release. Sonoda also said on the Kickstarter page that he wants to "bring Bean Bandit to the big screen, and even an animations series and movie."
Sonoda also plans to create an art book with concept art, designs, and, "if possible," an original color comic. All releases will be available in Japanese and English.
The project will meld elements of Riding Bean and Gunsmith Cats, and like these previous works it will take place in Chicago. Sonoda is directing the anime. Staff members include animator Shujirou Hamakawa and supervisor Showji Murahama.
Those who pledge 3,800 yen (US$34) or more will receive the anime on Blu-ray Disc if the project is funded. Other rewards include an original illustration, a T-shirt, the art book, Sonoda's autograph, an in-between frame, a key frame, and the chance to watch the animation with Sonoda.
The project's official Twitter account has been posting concept art and key frames. One of the key frames showed the logo for animation studio Passione (Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers, Citrus).
Source: Bean Bandit Kickstarter page
