New Collaboration Unveils Popular Short Film Series on KDDI's au Short Platform

WHDC Acrodea and CinemaLeap Join Forces

Introduction
In a significant move for the entertainment industry, WHDC Acrodea Inc. has announced a partnership with CinemaLeap Inc., aiming to bring the renowned vertical short film series, "Kyouko Satou: The Lip Reader," to KDDI's streaming platform, au Short. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the realm of digital content consumption, particularly as viewers increasingly turn towards mobile-friendly formats.

About the Series
Originally released in August 2020, "Kyouko Satou: The Lip Reader" is celebrated as Japan's first "buyable素材" vertical short film. Directed by Hiroki Inoue and featuring actress Yui Tachibana in the lead role, the series creatively encapsulates the life of a shy woman mastering lip-reading skills, blending humor and romance seamlessly. With its compelling narrative, the series has garnered substantial popularity across YouTube and social media, capitalizing on the smartphone era's demand for bite-sized yet engaging visuals.

The series consists of four episodes, including an opening segment and three main episodes, each running for approximately two minutes. This brief format caters exceptionally well to the modern viewer, delivering captivating stories with immersive audio-visual experiences. The partnership with director Inoue also highlights the commitment to promoting quality content, as the production continues to receive support through its latest film, "The Gaze of Sisyphus."

Distribution Through KDDI's au Short
Beginning April 11, 2025, "Kyouko Satou: The Lip Reader" can be enjoyed on KDDI's au Short app, a platform geared towards offering users engaging content easily accessible on mobile devices. Users can download the app without requiring membership or registration, enabling a hassle-free viewing experience. Additionally, features such as a video map—allowing searching of recommended spots—and hashtag follow functions enhance discovery on the platform.

The service curates trustworthy content amidst today’s overwhelming number of available videos, categorizing them into life hacks, recipes, news, sports, music, entertainment, travel, and more, all available for free. This ensures a refreshing approach to video entertainment, providing valuable and enjoyable information to viewers.

Vertical Video Dynamics
Vertical videos have become increasingly popular, particularly for smartphone users, as they take full advantage of screen space, enhancing engagement and immersion. The incorporation of "Tatemubi" technology in "Kyouko Satou" artfully captures the protagonist’s emotions and narratives, allowing viewers to resonate with the storytelling in a new and impactful way.

When searching for the series, users can simply tap on the "Discover" section in the au Short app and input "Kyouko Satou" in the search bar. (Note: Standard data charges may apply.)

Quotes from the Brand Collaboration Manager
Masami Hamazaki, the Brand Collaboration Manager, remarked, "The collaboration between WHDC Acrodea and CinemaLeap exemplifies our belief in value-driven thinking, aiming to achieve happiness for both ourselves and others. Highlighting exceptional content aligns with our mission at 'CHALLENGER/The Creators of Industry' to share significant stories with broader audiences.

Inoue's role as a value-creating partner is transformative, challenging societal issues through his creative work. The release of 'Kyouko Satou' on KDDI's au Short is a step towards changing the narrative for many deserving stories and filmmakers. We aim to expand collaborative ecosystems that not only drive business growth but also enhance overall societal values through co-creation."

Future Developments
WHDC Acrodea's commitment to enhancing smartphone solutions is mirrored in their effort to expand the distribution of vertical short films like "Tatemubi". Optimizing these formats for younger audiences has resulted in impressive viewership and engagement rates. This move towards KDDI's au Short enables broader accessibility to innovative viewing experiences while integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as VR/XR. WhDC Acrodea's vision for digital transformation remains intact, as they continue to focus on delivering alluring content and services that adhere to the principle of limitless value creation.

Series Overview

- Title: "Kyouko Satou: The Lip Reader"
- Release Date: April 11, 2025
- Episode Duration: Approximately 2 minutes each for a total of 4 episodes
- Director: Hiroki Inoue
- Cast: Yui Tachibana, Nanyo Kazutaka, Yuuki Igarashi, Unmi, Yua Oda, among others
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Synopsis: The story revolves around Kyouko, a shy woman who struggles to express her feelings and develops lip-reading skills. As she becomes intrigued by the recently hired Ryota Sawano, her keen observational skills become her greatest asset, generating comedic scenarios in her journey to understanding her emotions.