Los Angeles, CA
ASICS, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, sought to honor the 100th birthday of its founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka. The company wanted to celebrate his legacy, philosophies, and contributions to the industry while looking forward to their innovative future. This celebration took the form of an animated series titled Sole of Kobe, which explored the history of ASICS and its aspirations through creative storytelling.
ASICS recognized the importance of this milestone as an opportunity to connect with their audience on a deeper level. The goal was to highlight Kihachiro Onitsuka’s influence while showcasing the company’s innovative spirit. With our track record of blending 2D and 3D motion design to tell compelling stories, we were selected to bring this vision to life through a visually dynamic and meaningful animated series.
The project began with initial explorations in design, focusing on a low-poly 3D style that served as the foundation for the series. Using the ASICS shoe as a starting point, we transformed it into various elements—such as a brain and a rocket ship—symbolizing the company’s journey and innovations. These transitions were aligned with the voice-over narration, creating a seamless flow between the story’s segments.
To bring the piece to life, we combined low-poly 3D animations with tech-inspired 2D elements, building a futuristic yet grounded aesthetic. Live-action footage was integrated with the animations to create a rich, layered visual experience. Every detail, from the color palette to the transitions, was designed to reflect ASICS’ identity and forward-thinking philosophy.
The final product was a series of visually stunning episodes, culminating in Future Moves, which highlighted ASICS’ engineering and innovation. The blend of 2D and 3D motion design, low-poly aesthetics, and composited live-action elements created an engaging narrative that celebrated the company’s history while looking ahead to its future. Each scene seamlessly transitioned to the next, creating a compelling and cohesive story.
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