MadaraUsi starts streaming a pilot episode for the Lovecraft-inspired anime film Naked Peak: Climb the Mountains of Madness on YouTube on February 28. A making-of video, which includes the behind-the-scenes footage of the production process, is also available on the channel until March 3.
Based on a table-talk RPG scenario, Naked Peak follows a thrilling and eerie story with a setting based on H.P. Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness”. The production of the anime was supported by a crowdfunding campaign held on Campfire in October 2021, which raised JPY $120 million, setting a record for the highest total amount and number of supporters in the site’s anime and manga category.
The film tells the story of a group of extreme climbers who face a dangerous and unknown mountain range known as the “Madness Mountains” while searching for a missing jet in Antarctica. The plot will focus on the challenges and dramas that the reckless climbers face as they attempt to reach the peak of the Madness Mountains.
▍Naked Peak: Climb the Mountains of Madness Making-of Video
▍Naked Peak: Climb the Mountains of Madness Pilot Video
▍Naked Peak: Climb the Mountains of Madness Story
A tourist jet to Antarctica mysteriously went missing. When a search team got to the point where the signal disappeared, they couldn’t find the jet but they were met with a range of mountains unknown to humankind.
The unprecedented mountain range, with a height of over 34,000ft above sea level, surpassing Mount Everest, was beyond human comprehension.
“The Mountains of Madness”
Some daring souls are now attempting to reach that violent mountain. What will they encounter beyond the realm of death?
▍Naked Peak: Climb the Mountains of Madness Characters
■ Inori Asama
The central character in the film. An up-and-coming mountaineer who is seen as an idol in the mountaineering world. She is a pure woman of natural impulse.
■ Kevin Kingston
One of the world’s most successful and experienced mountaineers. Nicknamed “K2”. Leader of the second Mountain of Madness party. Known as a solid climber with a high regard for risk management.
■ Kosi Uszko
The son of the president of the Uszko Foundation, which sponsors the team. He gets into mountaineering to show off his power to those around him, but his actual skills are no more than just a hobby.
■ Azusa Hodaka
A doctor who works for an international medical NGO. She is a tough woman who travels around poor countries and conflict zones, saving lives and maintaining a passion for the mountains. She is practical and rational in her choices. She is not very expressive but rich with emotions inside.
■ Lake Elbert
A man who volunteered to find his best friend, who was part of the “first” expedition group to the Mountains of Madness, which was entirely lost. Has a wife and a child. After getting married and having a child, he retired from dangerous, death-defying climbs.
■ May Lee
Mountain climbing, skiing, diving, deep expeditions. A photographer at the forefront of all extreme genres. He is only interested in capturing the ultimate image.
▍Naked Peak: Climb the Mountains of Madness Pilot Video Staff & Production
Planning/Original Story/Executive Producer: MadaraUsi
Director: Yusaku Kumagai (Stereotype)
Character Design: Senbon Umishima
Creature Design: Ryu Oyama
Animation Director: Chieimi Kurosaki
Art Director: Yasutada Kato (Smartile)
Director of Photography: Yusaku Iwami (Stereotype)
Color Designer: Haruko Nobori
Music: Ryuichi Takada (Monaca)
Mountains Supervisor: Yamaya Co.
Animation Production: Stereotype, G-Angle
Production: Forest Limit, THINKR
General Producer: Mizuki Watanabe