Bridging Education and Industry: A Unique Collaboration
In a remarkable initiative, AquaStar, a prominent visual production company based in Tokyo, has partnered with the Fukuoka Design & Technology School to create a collaborative project that allows students to experience real-world creative challenges. On October 24, 2025, at 2 PM JST, an online presentation will showcase the results of this academic-industry partnership involving 32 second-year students from the school's Comic Illustration and Manga Program.
This collaboration aims to enhance students' awareness of their future careers while engaging them in actual creative production environments. The students were tasked with developing character designs and key visuals for AquaStar's virtual amusement facility, Neo-Fantasia. This required not only artistic skills but also marketing acumen, as the students needed to clearly express their intentions and proposals to an external audience.
A Look Back: The Mid-term Presentation
In mid-September, a mid-term presentation was held where AquaStar employees evaluated the students' submissions. Feedback from industry professionals is crucial for students as they prepare for their final show. This process fosters an environment where students can refine their work, learning to communicate their ideas more effectively to meet professional standards.
During the upcoming final presentation, students will reveal their hard work over several months. The best project will be integrated into AquaStar's content for