URVAN

URVAN is a collaborative original net animation produced by Toei Animation and Nagasaki International University. The title derives from the ancient Avestan word "urvan," meaning spirit, which dates back to the seventh century B.C. This term is widely considered the etymological root of the Japanese word "Obon" or "Urabone," the traditional mid-August festival dedicated to honoring and welcoming the spirits of one's ancestors. Drawing upon this profound cultural motif, the short film crafts a mystical and nostalgic cyberpunk action narrative where the extraordinary and the ordinary seamlessly intersect. Set against the real-world landscapes of Sasebo, a city in Nagasaki Prefecture, the project transforms familiar sights into a striking, futuristic environment. Within this reimagined urban sprawl, a mysterious man and woman race through the neon-lit streets, navigating a world where ancestral tradition meets advanced technology. By fusing the spiritual reverence of Obon with a visually arresting cyberpunk aesthetic, the work offers a unique exploration of heritage and modernity colliding in a breathtaking setting.