Studio TRIGGER Staff Discuss Otakon 2026 and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Studio TRIGGER producer Hiromi Wakabayashi, character designer Ichigo Kanno, and animation director Kazuki Chiba attended Otakon 2026, held from July 31 to August 2. The event marked the first US convention appearance for Chiba and Kanno. During an interview, the trio discussed their experiences with American fans, noting expressive audience reactions and unique cosplay styles.

The staff also addressed upcoming projects, including Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. Kanno explained that the sequel features a distinct aesthetic compared to the first season’s theme of living strongly in Night City. Additionally, Wakabayashi shared that immediate global interest followed the July announcement of Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima’s new collaboration, despite no title or visuals being revealed at that time.

Reflecting on their ten-year anniversaries at the studio, both animators described significant professional growth. They highlighted how collaborative roles and creative freedom helped them understand their strengths and deepen their character interpretations.