Katsuhiro Otomo's animated short film "Hi no Yojin" will be released nationwide in theaters on July 20th as part of the four-part omnibus animated film series "SHORT PEACE."

This marks Otomo's first theatrical release in nine years, since 2004's "Steamboy." Hi no Yojin has received critical acclaim, including winning the Grand Prize in the Animation Division at the 2012 Japan Media Arts Festival, the Japan Media Arts Festival hosted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The other three works are all by leading figures in the anime industry: Shuhei Morita's "Tsukumo," Hiroaki Ando's "GAMBO," and Hajime Katoki's "A Farewell to Weapons."

Otomo has been appointed the featured artist for this year's Comme des Garçons direct mailing, and the cover of the first issue features Kaneda and Kei, the protagonists of his signature work "AKIRA."

"Short Piece" Trailer