Robot on the Road: Viral animated short from Japan Animator Expo

Robot on the Road is an animated short directed by Hiroyuki Okiura (a veteran of Studio Ghibli) and released in October 2015 as part of the Japan Animator Expo project. Produced by Studio Khara and Dwango, it was broadcast online (on the Expo’s official channel and associated platforms). It boldly tells the story of an innocent-looking hitchhiking robot who, together with a young adventurer named Mina, reveals himself to be a perverted voyeur who takes secret intimate photos for a personal blog.

The combination of quality animation and provocative humor made the short film very entertaining for the audience. Fans highlight the plot as funny and unexpected: at first the robot seems harmless, but then his sadistic side is revealed, “tricking unsuspecting women into photographing them.” This surprise and the robot’s striking design contributed to its viral popularity. In short, it was published online in October 2015 on the official Japan Animator Expo channel, and continues to be enjoyed for its original blend of dark comedy and fluid animation.