Abema Picks Three Finalists for Anime Pilots
Streaming service Abema selected three finalists from its first PRISMation open call for short original anime pilots.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Animation
Abema chose three finalists from the first PRISMation open call, which ran from May to August 2026, each receiving production funding for a short original anime pilot. The selected entries are "OXY-HEAVEN," "Amneka," and "Kandy-Killers for Hire."
Why it matters
The project offers independent animators production support, and the selected pilots are slated for release in 2027 or later. It reflects a growing effort by streaming platforms to develop original anime from web-animation creators.
The first PRISMation pilot, released January 16, 2026, has reached 2.5 million views, while the three new finalists remain in production with release slated for 2027 or later. Abema has not yet disclosed how the finalists will perform commercially.
The players
Abema
Abema is a Japanese streaming service that has invested in original anime and web-animation development.
The details
Abema ran the open call for independent animators and selected three finalists, with support covering project development, voice casting, sound and music arrangements, translation, promotion, and commercial development. The finalists are "OXY-HEAVEN," a steampunk fantasy ensemble drama, "Amneka," a fantasy comedy set in a small school, and "Kandy-Killers for Hire," a psycho-pop dark comedy.
Timeline
May to August 2026: First PRISMation open call held
September 19, 2026: Second round of PRISMation pilots announced
2027 or later: Release of the three selected pilots slated
Industry Dynamics
Streaming platforms have increasingly turned to open calls to find original anime from independent creators, moving beyond commissioning established studios. PRISMation extends this approach by funding short pilots from creators who primarily produce web animation.
Viewers will not be able to watch the three selected pilots until they are released, which is slated for 2027 or later. The first PRISMation pilot is already available to watch and has reached 2.5 million views.
The takeaway
Open calls like PRISMation give independent animators a path to professional production support that was once largely reserved for established studios. Audiences can track which of the three finalists reaches release in the coming years.
Further reading
For more on the format, see the Animation section's coverage of streaming-backed anime development.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Anime News Network.
