New Studio Trigger Anime is Officially Free on YouTube

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Studio Trigger, known for popular anime like Delicious in Dungeon and Cyberpunk Edgerunners, has released a new, free animated series called The Lenticulars on YouTube. The first episode, titled “#1a/ ‘Work Gloves are Gloves,’” premiered on October 31, 2025. Directed again by Akira Amemiya, it has a completely different style than their usual action-packed cyberpunk work – at least, that’s the initial impression.

Studio Trigger’s latest anime, directed by Amemiya, seems like a sweet high school romance, but their past work hints at a deeper, more complex story. With the first two episodes of The Lenticulars now available on YouTube, and more free episodes coming this month, now is a great time to start watching before the full story unfolds.

The Lenticulars Episodes 1 & 2 Kick Off a Charming Story in Style

Akira Amemiya, the director behind popular anime like Inferno Cop, SSSS.Gridman, and SSSS.Dynazenon, is now working on The Lenticulars, a new and unusual project for Studio Trigger released on YouTube. While Amemiya and Trigger are known for fast-paced action and vibrant digital worlds, The Lenticulars is a departure from their usual style. It features a much more subdued and minimalist visual approach. The characters are sketched with simple lines and soft colors, giving the animation a watercolor-like quality that feels more like an independent manga or short film than a typical Studio Trigger anime series.

The anime series, The Lenticulars, begins during winter at a Japanese high school. It centers on Rak-kun, his friends Miike and Dony, and Rak-kun’s love interest, Sawaki, who is a popular girl with a bit of a reputation. Each episode is short – only five minutes long – but about half of that is taken up by the ending credits and a montage of real-life photos showcasing Japanese school settings and everyday objects. This blend of animation and realistic imagery gives the series a documentary feel. New episodes are released every Friday at 8:00 p.m. JST (6:00 a.m. EST) on YouTube, making it easily accessible to viewers around the world.

The first episode of The Lenticulars kicks off with Sawaki realizing she forgot her work gloves. Rak-kun kindly lends her his, even though he was already using them instead of winter gloves. She later repays him by giving him a new pair of winter gloves after telling him she lost one of her own. In a clumsy attempt to ask about her past relationships, Rak-kun accidentally confesses his feelings for her. They’re both surprised, but Sawaki cautiously accepts his confession and suggests they start dating. Episode 2, titled “#2a/ ‘The End Is The Beginning,’” which premiered on November 7th, shows the couple enjoying the beginning of their relationship and planning a first date. However, the episode ends with a surprising reveal: Miike, Rak-kun’s friend, turns out to be Sawaki’s ex-boyfriend from middle school.

Fans are loving the calm and thoughtful approach of the new series, and are eager to see how the story unfolds. Viewers are particularly excited to see the creator, Amemiya, try a more gentle, everyday style, a departure from his usual fast-paced, action-packed work. Many are calling it Studio Trigger’s most emotionally resonant project so far. Currently, the series is a captivating and slowly developing mystery, blending heartwarming moments with a sense of something hidden beneath the surface. Studio Trigger is known for its surprises, and The Lenticulars seems to be continuing that trend, leaving viewers wondering if it will remain a sweet love story or evolve into something more unusual.

Cyberpunk’s Legacy Paved the Way For Studio Trigger’s New Anime

Studio Trigger’s new work, Lenticular, marks another departure for the studio, continuing a pattern of redefining both its own style and the possibilities of anime. This was especially true with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which became a worldwide hit after its 2022 release on Netflix. The anime, based on the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, captivated audiences with its stunning animation and powerfully emotional story. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by Yoshiki Usa and Masahiko Otsuka, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners follows David Martinez, a young street kid who gets caught up in the dangerous criminal world of Night City after getting illegal cybernetic implants.

The anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was highly acclaimed for its stunning visuals and emotionally powerful story, set in a world of intense, neon-lit action. It won Anime of the Year at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and significantly boosted the popularity of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, bringing in a large wave of new players. The series showcased Studio Trigger’s ability to create both visually spectacular and deeply moving narratives. Its unique art style—combining gritty digital effects with vibrant colors—has become a major influence on modern anime, making the emergence of The Lenticulars all the more unexpected.

Fans who have followed the studio for a while are starting to wonder if there’s a hidden story developing. People have noticed a mysterious character appearing for just a split second in each episode – someone who looks like they’re from a cyberpunk world. This character has pink hair, is covered in bandages, and wears an unusual eye patch. While often hidden in the background, their brighter colors are noticeable compared to the series’ generally realistic style. This imagery reminds viewers of Studio Trigger’s previous cyberpunk work, leading many to believe that The Lenticulars might have more going on than just a school romance.

You can now watch The Lenticulars on YouTube for free! New episodes come out every Friday at 8:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time.

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2025-11-08 23:40