Matt Schley
August 14, 2024 
Back in 2022, Kochi Prefecture—one of the four prefectures on the island of Shikoku—started a major anime push in an attempt to bring fresh industry and talent its way. Now Kochi’s capital city, Kochi City, has unveiled a new facility for anime creators. According to Tadashi Sudo over at animationbusiness.info, the eight-floor facility will be called GEAR, and will feature offices, co-working spaces, business incubators, an animator training center and a shared studio.
The first floor will feature a gallery with the idea that the building will attract not only business professionals but also sightseers interested in anime.
Construction on GEAR starts this year, and it’s expected to be completed in 2027.
Earlier this year Kochi held an anime awards festival. The grand prize winner was REDMAN, a 14-minute anime project by graduates of Kyoto Seika University.
Who’s up for a trip to Kochi in 2027?
Source: Animation Business
