Studio 4861 Begins Storyboarding for Anticipated AI-Powered Anime Series 'DQN'

Tokyo, Japan – Studio 4861, led by acclaimed anime creator Kushagra Kushwaha, has announced the commencement of storyboarding for its upcoming AI-powered anime series, "DQN." The update was shared via the studio's official social media, with the tweet stating, "> Storyboarding @dqn_anime✍️ 絵コンテを描き始めた。 (Started drawing storyboards.)" This signals a significant production milestone for the highly anticipated series, which is set to premiere in 2026.

"DQN" is a collaborative effort between Kushwaha's Tokyo-based studio 4861 and Silicon Valley's AI tech developer and production studio, Morphic. The series is envisioned as a layered narrative exploring themes of trust, control, and digital warfare within a cyberpunk world governed by decentralized networks and artificial intelligence. Morphic, launched by former Polygon CEO Jaynti Kanani, aims to transform storytelling by empowering creators with breakthrough technology.

The anime has garnered considerable attention for its unique premise, which involves 12 strangers entangled in a global game to unlock a hidden vault. Notably, "DQN" has also sparked buzz for its reimagining of historical figures, with Indian revolutionary Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose making an appearance in a cyberpunk avatar within the series' trailers. This creative blend of history and futuristic storytelling aims to connect with diverse audiences.

Kushagra Kushwaha, an IIT alumnus, brings extensive experience to "DQN," having worked on globally acclaimed anime series such as "JoJo’s Stone Ocean," "Vinland Saga," and "Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest." His studio, 4861, is central to the creative development of the project, with storyboarding being a critical phase that translates scripts into visual sequences, forming the blueprint for the animation process. The series is expected to offer a fresh perspective on the anime landscape, leveraging AI technology for enhanced production.