ASICS recently launched its new “Welcome to the Dojo” clothing and footwear line exclusively at Foot Locker, Inc. supported by an anime-inspired miniseries from BBDO New York that taps into the brand’s Japanese heritage. The five-episode miniseries "The Sun and the Snake" has been well-received and inspired the creation of a new, long-form version.
This anime-inspired film was directed by Dipankar Sengupta of animation studio Shotopop.
Client Foot Locker Agency BBDO New York David Lubars, chief creative officer, worldwide; Greg Hahn, chief creative officer, NY; Dan Lucey, executive creative director; Bryan Stokely, Martin Zelcs, Bhana Arbuaratna, associate creative directors; Brandon Galosi, designer; James Young, executive producer; Janelle Van Wonderen, VP, director. Production Company MTC Chris Lenox Smith; John Holt, producer. Sound Design & Mix Matt Lewkowicz, Sam Posern, Parker Silzer, Chris Lenox Smith. Original Music Mixtape Club Music, featuring Sammy Bananas. Animation Studio Shotopop, London & New York Dipankar Sengupta, director; Richard Payne, Ionut Lupo, AE animation and compositing; Giulia Frixione, Hannah Lau-Walker, Marylou Mao, Diana Buzea, Kirill Blumenkrants, Arman Alipour, Dipankar Sengupta, Alison Oxborrow, cel animation; Beidi Guo, Ionut Lupu, cel coloring; Samantha Friend, 3D animation; Dipankar Sengupta, character design; Samantha Friend, Tony Sekyere, Carin Standford, Cat Finnie, Kalyanjyoti Mohan, illustrators; Carin Standford, Casper Franken, art directors; Dipankar Sengupta, storyboard; Richard Payne, animatics. (Toolbox: Photoshop, ProCreat4e, Animate, After Effects Maxon Cinema 4D)
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
