KITSUNEBI

"A dark tale from old Japan."

Synopsis

In feudal Japan, Kaito is a masterless ronin who rebuilt his life after his clan's demise, becoming the province's most renowned hunter. He lives a quiet life with his wife, Sachi, his brother Ren, and Ren's wife, Emi.
Everything changes when the local daimyo, Lord Akiyama, orders Kaito to track down a mythical, shape-shifting kitsune lurking in an abandoned shrine and bring back proof of her death. If Kaito fails to return within seven days, Akiyama will execute his entire household.
He journeys alone into the forest, tracking the creature to the old shrine and there confronts his prey: a mesmerizing, ethereal kitsune named Kohaku. Using her magic, she traps him in a snare of illusion. Under her spell, he begins to lose his grip on reality, slowly forgetting his mission, his family, even himself.
Miles away, the deadline draws closer. Sachi keeps their homestead standing, watching the horizon for a man who may never return.

Early concept art — designs are still in development and subject to change.

A Homage to Cinematic History

Rooted in the atmospheric tradition of Kenji Mizoguchi's 1953 masterpiece Ugetsu Monogatari, this film explores the space between human desire and the supernaturalJust as Mizoguchi's work blurred the line between the living world and the spirit realm, this story treats the supernatural not as a modern monster feature, but as a quiet, psychological temptation. It honours the painterly framing, the deep cultural dread, and the tragic weight of Japanese folk legends, where earthly duties and mortal bonds are slowly swallowed by a timeless, beautiful illusion.

Production Note

Authenticity is the lifeblood of this project. To honour the true spirit of Japanese folklore, the film will be shot entirely on location in Japan, utilizing a local Japanese crew and cast, and performed entirely in Japanese. This ensures every frame carries the genuine cultural weight, texture, and atmosphere the story demands.

Photo by Samuel Berner Unsplash

About Me

I'm a producer, 3D generalist and character concept artist with years of experience in character and creature design across film, visual development and visual effects. I've spent my career designing characters and creatures for other people's projects, and with Kitsunebi I'm stepping out to write, design and produce my own.Kitsunebi is a supernatural drama set in feudal Japan, in the vein of Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogatari. It's a project I care about deeply, built from the ground up around a haunting story, complex characters and Japanese folklore. It is to be made in Japan, with a Japanese crew and cast.By supporting this film, you're helping turn an idea into something real. I hope you'll join the journey.

The Production Diaries

Follow the journey. Join the Kitsunebi Production Diaries for behind-the-scenes updates, research trip stories, and everything happening as this film comes to life, straight from me, before anyone else sees it.