Keanu Reeves joins ‘Hidari’: Hollywood star to voice lead in Japanese stop-motion samurai epic

Keanu Reeves is set to voice the lead character in Hidari, a full-length stop-motion samurai film from dwarf studios and director Masashi Kawamura. The announcement was made on May 17, 2026 during the Annecy Animation Showcase at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, signaling international ambition for a project that began as a widely admired short.

Hidari originated with Kawamura’s 2023 stop-motion proof-of-concept short, which quickly garnered nearly five million views on YouTube, a remarkable achievement for an independent animation project and a key factor behind its growth into a full-length production.

The feature will expand upon this early work, retaining its handcrafted aesthetic while unfolding a dramatic narrative rooted in jidaigeki (period drama) traditions.

Story and plot details

At the heart of Hidari lies the legend of Jingoro Hidari, a master craftsman from Japan’s Edo period whose life takes a tragic turn. After betrayal costs him his father figure, his fiancée and even his right arm, Hidari embarks on a quest for vengeance. Rather than succumb to despair, he refashions his prosthetic limbs into mechanical tools of survival and justice, accompanied by his enigmatic wooden companion known as the Sleeping Cat.

The story combines action and introspection, presenting a character shaped equally by grief and ingenuity, a blend of myth and narrative that resonates with classic samurai themes while embracing imaginative world-building.

Keanu Reeves: Casting and vision

Reeves will voice the protagonist Jingoro Hidari, marking one of his notable ventures in voice acting beyond previous roles such as Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 and Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

In a statement shared by the production team, Reeves expressed enthusiasm for the project saying "I’m thrilled by the vision behind Hidari. From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something truly extraordinary. It has all the makings of an exceptional film, one I’m excited to see and eager to be part of. I believe this project has the potential to bring something very special to audiences worldwide."

Director Masashi Kawamura also spoke about the collaboration with Reeves, noting the emotional and creative resonance that brought the Hollywood star on board.

Production and creative team

Hidari is being produced by dwarf studios, a Japanese animation house noted for meticulous stop-motion craftsmanship, in partnership with Tokyo-based creative agency Whatever Co. and TECARAT, which specializes in practical animation production.

While no official release date has been announced, the collaboration between the creative leads and Reeves has positioned Hidari as one of the most anticipated stop-motion features in recent years.