Two fresh, vertical “Wataru” shorts just landed. In an industry–academia tie-up, HAL Tokyo animation students teamed with Bandai Namco Filmworks to produce smartphone-first promo clips for Majin Souzouden Wataru—from storyboard to compositing in roughly four months. Both shorts are now live on the official YouTube Shorts channel, ready to watch and share.
Student-made vertical shorts built for today’s feeds
The brief was simple and sharp: make a short that “buzzes” for elementary-school viewers, optimized for vertical, phone-native viewing. Two HAL teams—Team Sugiyama and Team Takebuchi—delivered snappy, character-driven clips featuring Majin Souzouden Wataru favorites.
What each team focused on—at a glance
Team Sugiyama: Emphasis on expressive facial acting and crisp timing-to-sound sync so gags land on beat.
→ Watch: YouTube Shorts (Team Sugiyama)
Team Takebuchi: Spotlight on 3DCG texture and the “how you show it”—camera, lighting, and composites that flatter hand-drawn work.
→ Watch: YouTube Shorts (Team Takebuchi)
Inside the HAL × Bandai Namco Filmworks pipeline
Students split into professional-style roles—storyboards, animation, compositing, editing—iterating with mid-project checks and feedback. The result is a flow that mirrors studio realities, from clear targets to firm deadlines.
Skills you can spot in seconds
Watch for tight staging in a vertical frame, decisive cuts, and punchy audio cues that sell character beats. On the CG side, note material choices and post effects that keep images readable on small screens.
From a classic lineage to a new on-ramp
Beloved across generations via Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru, the new Majin Souzouden Wataru channels that spirit for today’s audience. If you’re new, sample the shorts first, then jump to the on-air info and episodes.
Start here: quick links and official hubs
Official site ・ On-air & streaming ・ YouTube: Wataru & Kakeru Channel ・ X: @tv_wataru ・ TikTok: @tv_wataru
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