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Director Kazuki Yuhara’s XR Anime Heads to a Major World Film Festival
CinemaLeap Inc. has announced that the XR animation First Virtual Suit, directed by Kazuki Yuhara, has been selected for the Venice Immersive section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The film will have its world premiere at the prestigious festival, which runs from August 27 to September 6, 2025. The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world, and its Venice Immersive section is considered the pinnacle showcase for outstanding immersive works from across the globe.
A Rare Feat: First Japanese Project in Six Years, Second in History
The film’s nomination comes as a result of its selection for the Biennale College Cinema Immersive, a program run by La Biennale di Venezia to discover and nurture VR creators. This is a significant achievement, marking the first time in six years a Japanese project has been selected, and only the second time in the program’s history. Furthermore, First Virtual Suit was produced with support from “SOFU,” an acceleration program for next-generation creators implemented by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), highlighting the national anticipation surrounding the project.
About the XR Animation ‘First Virtual Suit’
First Virtual Suit is a story of “reuniting with oneself” through the process of creating an avatar for the first time in a near-future where virtual worlds have become commonplace.
Synopsis In the near future, virtual worlds are a part of everyday life, and having an avatar—a second self—is the norm. What will we project onto this other version of ourselves? Will it be an idealized version of who we want to be? Or perhaps the true self we have always hidden? By creating an avatar that can be freely designed, you can confront the true self that lies dormant within you. First Virtual Suit is a story of rediscovering oneself through the experience of creating a first avatar.
The 35-minute interactive animated experience poses the question of what we project onto our avatars, our “other selves,” providing a catalyst for viewers to connect with their own inner, authentic selves.
A Comment from Director Kazuki Yuhara
Director Kazuki Yuhara commented on the film: “This work depicts a high school student, struggling with their future and sense of self, who discovers the diversity and potential of avatars through the virtual world, and how those choices impact their reality. In virtual spaces, one can transcend age, gender, and even species to become any ‘self’ they desire. While this freedom is captivating, the feeling of being overwhelmed by infinite choices is something I believe we can all relate to. This story explores the questions of what to choose from countless avatars and what kind of self one wants to be. I believe this is not merely a character selection, but an opportunity to re-examine the contours of one’s own identity. I hope this film provides a chance for each member of the audience to meet the ‘self they have yet to encounter’ that lies within them.”
Film Credits
- Title: First Virtual Suit
- Year of Production: 2025
- Production: CinemaLeap Inc.
- Running Time: 35 minutes
- Genre: XR Animation
- Director: Kazuki Yuhara
- Screenplay: Ryota Tsukuda
- Producers: Yuta Naito, Tetsuya Ohashi, Shori Machiba
- Music / Sound Design: Naohiro Shima
- Cast / Lyrics: Asaki Nishino
- Choreography: Yamato
- Development: Korin (Framesynthesis, Inc.)
Director’s Profile
Kazuki Yuhara: A film director and VR animation artist. Yuhara graduated from Tama Art University’s Department of Information Design, Media Arts Course in 2019, and completed a master’s degree in the Animation Program’s Game Course at the Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Film and New Media in 2022. Notable works include the VR pieces MOWB and Monad, as well as the opening sequence for the second season of Pop Team Epic.