Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. - Tobu Railway Animated Commercial

Summary

We produced the first commercial created in animation for Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.

The commercial tells, as a single story, the more than 125 years that Tobu Railway and the communities along its lines have walked together. The story symbolically depicts historic milestones: the opening of the railway linking the Ryomo region and Tokyo, the development of the tourist line to Nikko, the construction of TOKYO SKYTREE®, and the start of service of the new limited express SPACIA X. Together they visually express the railway’s role in connecting past, present, and future.

Each of the four eras is rendered in its own distinct style, bringing out the character and changes of each period. We drew the changing lives of the people and the new scenery the railway brought in a warm touch. The music is “Step By Step,” written for this commercial by the band “Natural Lag,” whose vocalist is Sota Hanamura of “Da-iCE.” The upbeat track and the visuals come together as one.

“Step By Step” was later released as an official music video, shot with the full cooperation of Tobu Railway. In it, the members of Natural Lag board SPACIA X departing from Asakusa Station, arrive at Tobu-Nikko Station, and head for the Nikko Kanaya Hotel on a short trip.

Production Area

We handled the entire process: character design for the animation, animation production, background art, 3DCG, and compositing.

Credit

Animation Storyboard & Character Design: dou
Animation Director: dou
Key Animation: dou, Nanase Nanana, kayano, Soi Sasaki, Ishida
In-Betweening & Finishing: dou, Soi Sasaki, Ishida
Background Art: Pakanowaguma, Moechi, Kankuma
Special Art: Jikasei, Moechi, Kankuma
3DCG: Nebiru
Compositing: Nebiru, Konbu
Editing: Nebiru
Production Cooperation: BAKKKA
Animation Advisor: Takuto Komaki
Animation Director: Taiga Hatano
Animation Producers: Taiga Hatano, Hiroki Hirano
Animation Production: Studio RE:LY

Links

• Tobu Railway Animated Commercial (Long Version)
• Tobu Railway Official Website: Announcement of the “Step By Step” Official Music Video Release
• News article on Natural Lag’s “Step By Step”
• Gunma Prefecture “Gunma, Where Spirits Breathe” Live-Action × Animation Commercial Production Works
• List of Character Design Works
• NOKID’s animated commercial production services