KAODKAWA has announced a new original animation feature in production from the team behind Pompo the Cinephile. Project Code "Wasted Chef" is once again directed by Takayuki Hirao with music from Kenta Mastukuma (11 Rebels, Black Clover).
The film is due to debut at the Annecy Animation Showcase at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Hopefully a global release won't be far behind.
Trailer
From the Press Release:
Referred to by its project code “WASTED CHEF”, this animation film centers on the unusual mix of “cuisine” and “sci-fi”, resulting in a fresh form of entertainment.
Through the drama of a young chef’s growth, and the thrilling adventure that unfolds in a strange world that has lost its <taste>, the film explores the contemporary theme: “What is value?”.
The character design was done by Shingo Adachi of the Sword Art Online series and Lycoris Recoil fame; with the music by Kenta Matsukuma, who also worked on Kamen Rider Black Sun and 11 Rebels. Finally, the animation production was done by the studio that gave us The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes and The Last Blossom, CLAP, with staff that had previously worked with Director Hirao on Pompo the Cinephile, reuniting once again on this project.
Selected for the "Annecy Animation Showcase" at the 79th Cannes Film Festival (2026), a program that highlights remarkable upcoming works, amidst the anticipation from across the globe, a revolutionary film pursuing a “new flavor” of animation is about to emerge!
