Festivals - Japan Expo 2026: TINY METAL Makes the Leap from Video Game to Anime in a World Premiere

By Mulder, 06 july 2026

It’s rare for a convention to boast a true world exclusive in the field of Japanese animation. Yet that’s exactly what Japan Expo 2026 will offer with the very first public screening of the anime TINY METAL, of which no images have yet been revealed. On Thursday, July 9, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., on the Kuri Stage at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, visitors will attend the first screening of the pilot episode of this new series produced by AREA 3, an announcement that marks another major milestone for a franchise that originated in video games and is now expanding into animation.

The world of TINY METAL is no stranger to fans of turn-based strategy games. Conceived by Hiroaki Yura, founder and CEO of AREA 35, the franchise made its debut in December 2017 with a video game openly inspired by the great classics of Japanese tactical gaming, before being expanded upon with Tiny Metal: Full Metal Rumble in 2019. This unique approach—combining military combat, accessibility, and strategic depth—has allowed it to build a loyal community. By choosing to develop an original anime rather than a simple promotional adaptation, the Japanese studio is demonstrating a clear ambition: to make TINY METAL a true transmedia franchise, capable of thriving on both consoles and screens.

To bring this vision to life, AREA 35 has assembled a team of renowned talents from the world of contemporary Japanese animation. Direction has been entrusted to Hiroyasu Kobayashi, a member of the prestigious Studio Khara, founded by Hideaki Anno and known worldwide for the Evangelion saga. His track record speaks for itself: he notably served as special effects director for Promare and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, two productions acclaimed for their technical mastery and spectacular direction. Working alongside him, SAFEHOUSE Studio which previously created the cutscenes for TINY METAL 2 and contributed to Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance brings its expertise in digital animation. This collaboration perfectly illustrates AREA 35’s commitment to creating a work that appeals not only to fans of the franchise but also to a broader audience of Japanese animation enthusiasts.

The conference will not be limited to this historic screening. Attendees will also take part in a live drawing session led by Yusuke Kozaki, a leading figure in character design in Japan. His style is instantly recognizable thanks to his work on the Fire Emblem, No More Heroes, and Pokémon GO series. Watching an artist of this caliber create an illustration live is often one of the highlights of Japanese conventions, offering the chance to observe the creative process and the speed of execution that characterize great professional illustrators. Hiroyasu Kobayashi’s simultaneous appearance will also provide an opportunity to discuss the origins of this animated adaptation and its artistic ambitions. The panel discussion will be moderated by Kayane, a regular at major video game and esports events.

The TINY METAL experience will continue throughout the show at the AREA 35 booth (Hall 5A, G542), where visitors can try out a playable version of TINY METAL 2. This sequel significantly expands the series’ mechanics with the return of the fog of war, new commanders, new game modes, and—most notably—the introduction, for the first time in the franchise, of naval battles featuring submarines and battleships. This evolution represents a major shift in the franchise’s gameplay philosophy, greatly expanding the tactical possibilities available to players.

The booth will also host several key figures from the project. In addition to Hiroaki Yura and Hiroyasu Kobayashi, visitors will have the chance to meet composer Go Shiina, whose career includes composing music for the Tales of, Tekken, and Ace Combat series, before he gained recognition for his work on Demon Slayer. Professional cosplayer Eiri will portray Lysandra, a character from TINY METAL 2, while the entire game development team will participate in autograph sessions held in the Sumiré 3 area, accessible via a raffle through the official Japan Expo app.

Beyond the event itself, this preview sends an interesting signal to the Japanese industry. For several years now, the boundaries between video games and animation have been blurring more and more. While some adaptations are content to simply exploit an existing franchise, AREA 35 seems determined to build a cohesive universe where each medium enriches the previous one. The decision to unveil the pilot globally at Japan Expo—Europe’s largest festival dedicated to Japanese culture—also underscores the growing importance of international audiences in Japanese studios’ strategies. The choice of Paris as the venue for this world premiere, rather than holding the event in Japan, perfectly illustrates this openness to a global market where Western communities now play an indispensable role.

Through this combination of an exclusive screening, playable demos, meet-and-greets with the creators, and live artistic performances, AREA 35 is making Japan Expo 2026 the true public launchpad for TINY METAL’s ambitious transmedia universe, with Parisian visitors having the privilege of discovering the very first images before the rest of the world.

Useful links: https://paris.japan-expo.com/fr/editions/jep26/evenements/anime-tiny-metal
TINY METAL official website: https://tinymetal.com/
TINY METAL 2 on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3003430/
AREA35 website: https://area35east.com/

(Source: press release)