Introduce Yourself : Greetings from Osaka, Japan! Creating a Cinematic Universe for the World by Kenji Shimoi

"As a screenwriter, I always make sure to listen deeply to my collaborators and express genuine gratitude to everyone who takes the time to read my scripts or share their creative ideas with me. A simple 'thank you' really goes a long way in building strong relationships in this industry!"

Hi, thank you very much for your kind words and support! I truly appreciate your interest in SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. I’m currently developing the project as an original cinematic universe, and I’d be happy to connect and learn more about your work as well. I look forward to staying in touch! I’d also like to share the pitch deck I’ve created for SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE on ArtStation. If you’re interested, I’d be happy for you to take a look and learn more about the world and characters I’m developing. https://sushimaskneo7.artstation.com/projects/Wd2Bd2

"Hi Hannah! It's so inspiring to see producers like you actively supporting writers in refining their screenplays. As a screenwriter from the Philippines, I love seeing this kind of collaboration in the community!"

Kenji Shimoi Welcome to Stage 32, Kenji! Forty years of experience across documentaries, television, commercials, and independent filmmaking is quite a journey. Your SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE also sounds like an ambitious direction, especially with the goal of taking a distinctly Japanese concept to a global audience. I’m a filmmaker and screenwriter working on narrative features, and I’d be glad to connect and learn more about your work and your experience in the industry. Wishing you the best with the universe you’re building!

Hi Abhijeet, thank you very much for your thoughtful message and warm welcome! I truly appreciate your kind words about my work and SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. I’d be very happy to connect and learn more about your work as a filmmaker and screenwriter as well. I hope we can stay in touch and share ideas and experiences along the way. Wishing you continued success with your narrative projects!

The SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE pitch deck is available on my ArtStation profile. If you are interested in the project, I would be delighted if you could take a look. https://sushimaskneo7.artstation.com/projects/Wd2Bd2

Hi Isla, thank you so much for your warm welcome and kind words! I truly appreciate your interest in the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. I’m excited to continue developing this world and sharing more of its characters, stories, and possibilities with the Stage 32 community. It’s wonderful to be here and connect with fellow creators. I look forward to staying in touch!

Hello Kenji welcome here :)

Hi Carlo, thank you for the warm welcome! It’s great to be here and connect with everyone.

Good to meet you online. My favorite japanese writer was Fujiko Fujio. I'm building a niche Cosmopolitan Superhero universe too

Welcome to stage 32 Kenji Shimoi

Kenji Shimoi

Great to meet you online as well! It’s wonderful to hear that you were inspired by Fujiko F. Fujio. I’m also developing my own original superhero universe, SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE, so it’s exciting to connect with someone who is building a universe of their own. I’d love to learn more about your project and stay in touch!

​Hi Emmanuel, thank you for the warm welcome! It’s great to be here and connect with fellow filmmakers and creators. I look forward to staying in touch!

Welcome Kenji! Great to see international filmmakers here. I'm a story creator based in France developing three feature projects for the US market. Always interesting to connect with producers who think globally. Looking forward to seeing your work.

Welcome, Kenji! Forty years of experience across so many areas of filmmaking is impressive. I especially like that you're still exploring something new with SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. Wishing you success with the project and the connections you build here!

Welcome Kenji Shimoi to our amazing community. You have an impressive background and we are very happy to have you with us. If you need guidance for your project, just email successstage32.com for the team to help you on your next steps. I am Sandra, an writer-director from Lisbon and Stage 32 moderators lounge :))

Welcome to Stage 32 Kenji Shimoi ! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey.

Hi Kenji, could you please get in touch with me and give me an opportunity to work with you? I admit that it would be a great opportunity for me. Staying in the industry for 40 years is no small achievement, and I truly respect the experience that comes with it.

Welcome noble samurai

Hi Mohsen, thank you very much for the warm welcome! It’s a pleasure to connect with you. Your work developing feature projects in France for the US market sounds very interesting. I’m also developing SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE with a global audience in mind, so I’m always glad to connect with creators who share an international perspective. I look forward to learning more about your projects and staying in touch!

Hi Zoltan, thank you very much for your kind words and continued support! I really appreciate it. After more than 40 years in filmmaking, I’m excited to take on something completely new with SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE and bring a distinctly Japanese vision to a global audience. It’s wonderful to connect with people like you here on Stage 32. I look forward to staying in touch!

Hi Sandra, thank you so much for the warm welcome and for your kind words! I’m very happy to be part of the Stage 32 community. I’m still getting familiar with everything here, so your guidance and support are greatly appreciated. I’ll certainly keep your advice in mind as I continue developing SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. It’s also a pleasure to meet a fellow writer-director from Lisbon! I look forward to staying connected.

Hi Darrell, thank you very much for the warm welcome! I’m excited to share more about my journey and SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE with the Stage 32 community. I’m very glad to be here and look forward to staying connected!

Hi Hani, thank you very much for your kind words and for your interest in my work. I truly appreciate your respect for my experience and your enthusiasm about working together. I’m currently developing SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE and also exploring new connections within the international film community. I’d be happy to stay in touch and learn more about your work and experience as well. Let’s keep in contact and see if there may be a suitable opportunity to collaborate in the future.

Thank you, Marc! It’s an honor to receive such a noble welcome. I’m very happy to be here and connect with the Stage 32 community. I look forward to sharing my journey and SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE with everyone!

Hi Kenji Shimoi welcome and nice to meet you. Very cool. Japan has some nice cinematic places to shoot both during day time as well as at night.

Thank you very much! I completely agree. Japan has a wide variety of cinematic locations, from traditional streets and temples to modern cityscapes. I’m glad to connect with you, and I look forward to seeing where our conversations may lead.

One memorable moment from early in my filmmaking career: at the age of 25, I received an Excellence Award at the NTV Japan Film Festival, along with this medal from renowned Japanese artist Taro Okamoto.

It remains one of the milestones that has stayed with me throughout my filmmaking journey.

Congratulations on creating your own franchise. I think that a blend Japanese pop culture with superhero storytelling is a great idea. Hope it's very successful!

Thank you so much, Laurie! I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement. I’m excited to continue developing the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE and hopefully bring this original world to audiences around the globe. Thank you again for your support!

Welcome to Stage32, Kenji!

Thank you, Haley! It’s a pleasure to be here, and I’m glad to connect with you. I look forward to staying in touch!

Hey Kenji Shimoi great to hear from you! What inspired you to create the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE?

THE BIG REVEAL - FROM MY PITCH:

"I can do the work that others cannot do."

That's what my hero SHAYAN says when he accepts an impossible bargain from a dark sorcerer.

Bring me the Black Diamond from the lost city of LA'ATA... or die trying.

THE COST:

The amulet that protects him will also destroy him if his courage fails.

The Black Diamond he steals can reshape worlds... and every sorcerer wants it back.

The princess he saves gets him

Warm welcome to the Stage32 community Kenji Shimoi! What project are you most proud of?

We're also inviting you to this Wednesday's special event in Writer's Room: Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO RB Botto, LIVE on ZOOM Wednesday, August 12th at 4pm PT: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip

Excited to your future connections through here :)

Hi Kenji,

Welcome to Stage 32!

I enjoyed reading your introduction. After more than 40 years in filmmaking, it's exciting to see someone still willing to explore new creative territory. Your SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE sounds like an ambitious and imaginative project, and I admire your vision of building a cinematic universe that can reach audiences around the world.

I'm also developing an original long-form series called For Such a Time as This. While it's very different in genre and setting, we're both trying to build worlds that entertain while leaving audiences with something meaningful to think about.

One thing I've learned is that audiences are often looking for stories that are fresh, emotionally grounded, and offer hope without preaching. I believe there is still room in today's entertainment landscape for stories that challenge people while inspiring them.

I look forward to following your journey and hope our paths cross again here on Stage 32. Wishing you great success with the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE!

God bless,

Robert Meredith

Thank you for asking! I created the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE with one simple wish: when people around the world watch it, I want to make them laugh, smile, and feel a little more hopeful, especially during these uncertain times. I wanted to create a unique world that combines Japanese pop culture, superhero storytelling, action, and comedy, while ultimately bringing joy to audiences everywhere.

Thank you very much, Robert, for your thoughtful and encouraging message. I truly appreciate your kind words about the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

I completely agree with your thoughts about stories that can entertain audiences while also giving them something meaningful and hopeful. That is very much what I hope to achieve with SUSHI MASK—to make people laugh, smile, and feel a little more hopeful in today’s uncertain world.

For Such a Time as This sounds like an interesting project, and I wish you every success with it. Although our genres and settings are different, it’s wonderful to connect with someone who shares a similar passion for creating stories that can have a positive impact on audiences.

I’m glad we connected here on Stage 32, and I hope we can stay in touch.

Best wishes,

Kenji

Thank you so much, Thompson! I really appreciate your warm words and encouragement. I’m excited to continue developing the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE and to connect with creative partners from around the world here on Stage 32. I hope we can stay in touch!

Hi Kenji! Greetings from Karachi, Pakistan

Hi! Greetings from Japan!

Kenji Shimoi Thank you, Kenji. I really appreciate that. I’d be happy to stay connected and exchange ideas and experiences along the way. I’d also be interested to hear more about your journey from documentary and commercial filmmaking into building the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

I’m currently developing my own narrative projects, including Pie & Coffee, so it would be great to keep in touch and learn from each other’s experiences. Wishing you continued success with the universe you’re building!

Kenji, It warms my heart when I see someone like you committed to their vision. I was in Japan two years ago. It was the second time, the first time was in 1997, and I was amazed at how much I had remembered. The first time I was working and went to 10 cities in one month. This time I only went to Tokyo and Kyoto and stayed a week. It was interesting to see how some things had changed and how even though the changes were evident on the surface, yet the underlying value system and culture still tempered and managed the changes. I think that was great because no matter what changes are made it seems that the Japanese soul is still intact. Which is great because even technology is affecting us all, Japan doesn't seem to think it is the holy grail the way some countries do. Also I think there are so many stories that take place in Japan that the world would love to see. My old friend from New York moved to Japan in 1979 and still lives there. I will definitely go to see him again.

Thank you, Abhijeet. I really appreciate your kind message. I’d be happy to stay connected and exchange ideas and experiences as well.

It’s always interesting to meet fellow filmmakers who are developing their own original projects. I wish you the very best with Pie & Coffee, and I look forward to seeing how your project develops.

Best wishes,

Kenji

Hi Teddy,

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful perspective. It’s wonderful to hear about your experiences in Japan, especially your visits in 1997 and again two years ago.

I agree that Japan has changed tremendously on the surface, while many of its underlying values and cultural spirit remain deeply rooted. I think that balance between tradition and innovation is one of the things that makes Japan so interesting as a setting for stories.

And I completely agree that there are many stories rooted in Japan that audiences around the world would love to discover. That is also one of the reasons I wanted to create the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE—to take elements of Japanese pop culture and storytelling and present them through a globally accessible superhero universe.

I hope you get the chance to visit your old friend in Japan again. I’m sure it will be a wonderful reunion.

Best wishes,

Kenji

Hi Kenji!

Thank you for the greeting from Japan!

Welcome, Kenji! Forty years across documentaries, television, commercials, and independent filmmaking is quite a journey. I’m especially curious about the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE because building an original cinematic universe from Japanese pop culture sounds like a really ambitious direction. Wishing you the best with it, and I hope you find some great creative connections here on Stage 32.

Thank you very much, Elizabeth. I really appreciate your kind words and your interest in the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. I’m also hoping to meet creative professionals here on Stage 32 who might connect with the vision of the project. I look forward to staying connected.

SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE brings together a team of heroes unlike anything seen before in cinematic history.

Each hero has a unique personality, a distinctive story, and their own personal drama that makes them stand apart.

They may fight side by side, but each of them has a story of their own.

This is more than a superhero team. It is a universe of unforgettable characters.

If this story and its characters spark your interest, I’d love to connect with you and share more of the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

One of the great strengths of the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE is that every character has a powerful personality and a story of their own.

Because of this, each character has the potential to become the star of their own spin-off film or series.

One character in particular stands out: TEMPURA NINJA.

Ninjas have fascinated audiences around the world for generations, and TEMPURA NINJA brings a completely new and unexpected twist to this iconic Japanese character.

With his mysterious origins, legendary abilities, unique visual identity, and larger-than-life personality, I believe TEMPURA NINJA has the potential to become a fan-favorite character around the world.

SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE is envisioned as more than just a film franchise.

The universe has the potential to expand across a variety of media, including comics, animation, games, and other forms of entertainment.

Here is a sample concept showing how SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE could look as an American-style comic book.

This is only a visual sample, but it gives a glimpse of how the characters and world could expand beyond the big screen.

Hey Kenji! Welcome. 40 years is an impressive run. Since you're looking beyond just film, take a look at the Transmedia lounge. Lots of people in there that are building across platforms and media you might find useful.

Hi Elle,

Thank you for the warm welcome and for pointing me toward the Transmedia Lounge. SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE is being developed with a long-term, multi-platform vision, so I’ll definitely take a look. I really appreciate the recommendation!

Welcome, and it's wonderful to see a filmmaker with over forty years of experience across documentaries, television, and commercials now building an original cinematic universe that blends Japanese pop culture with superhero storytelling. What's the most important lesson you've learned from your decades of experience that you're applying to this new project?

Samantha, thank you for your thoughtful question.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that audiences are always looking for something they have never seen before.

In today’s film world, almost every genre has been explored countless times, and the entertainment landscape can feel saturated. But I believe audiences, just as they have in every generation, are still searching for something fresh, surprising, and truly original.

When people see something they have never experienced before, it can create a sense of wonder and emotion that is difficult to put into words.

That is one of the ideas at the heart of the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. But more fundamentally, the reason I make films has always been simple: I want to make people smile.

For me, that is one of the true essences of filmmaking—to surprise audiences, move them, entertain them, and ultimately leave them with a smile.

That is the spirit I want to bring to the SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

When the Ikura Head reaches full charge with the power of the sea...

SUSHI MASK becomes unstoppable.

No enemy can stand against him.

No force can break him.

This is the ultimate form of the hero.

Not just another superhero.

A new cinematic universe born from Japanese pop culture.

Would you watch this on the big screen?

P.S.

This is just the beginning of SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

If this vision resonates with you, I'd be honored if you explored the pitch deck through the link in my profile.

There you'll discover more heroes, monsters, world-building, and original concept art from this developing cinematic universe.

I'd love to connect with those who share a passion for original storytelling.

Hi Kenji! Welcome to the community and congrats on your project! I LOVE the Japanese pop culture lens of your original cinematic universe. What type of stories do you like to tell/themes you like to discuss ?

Hi Deren, thank you very much for the warm welcome and your encouraging words!

The kinds of stories I’m most interested in are those that combine large-scale spectacle, memorable characters, and a sense of fun and humor.

With SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE, I’m exploring a world that might feel, in spirit, like a combination of the epic scale of Pacific Rim and the character-driven appeal of The Karate Kid—while adding a strong sense of humor and an entirely new, unexpected world of my own.

My goal is not simply to imitate existing films, but to create something audiences have never seen before.

I’d love to hear what people think about this kind of concept and whether a fresh blend of action, Japanese pop culture, larger-than-life characters, and humor could offer something new to audiences.

Thank you again, Deren. I’m very happy to be part of the Stage 32 community.

I have updated the pitch deck for SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

If you're interested in learning more about the project, I would be very happy if you could take a look.

You can view the updated pitch deck here:

SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE – https://sushimaskneo7.artstation.com/projects/Wd2Bd2

I would also greatly appreciate any thoughts or feedback.

Kenji Shimoi Thank you, Kenji. I really appreciate that. I’m glad we connected, and I’d definitely like to stay in touch and exchange ideas as our projects develop.

I’ll also be interested to follow the progress of SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. Wishing you all the best with it, and I hope we can continue the conversation along the way.

Hi Abhijeet, thank you very much for your kind message.

I’m very glad we connected as well. I’d be happy to stay in touch and exchange ideas as our respective projects continue to develop.

I’m also looking forward to following the progress of your projects, including Pie & Coffee. It would be great if we can continue to share our experiences and creative journeys along the way.

Wishing you all the best with your projects, and I look forward to staying connected!

Best regards,

Kenji

Hi Kenji,

I saw your introduction and your post about SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE, and one thing immediately caught my attention — your desire to bring a distinctly Japanese storytelling universe to audiences outside Japan.

I grew up in America fascinated by Japanese genre films. Godzilla was probably my first doorway into that world, but years later films like Ringu and The Grudge showed me a very different kind of fear — one that didn't always announce itself. The stillness, the anticipation, the sense that something is wrong before you understand what it is. That stayed with me.

I'm writing supernatural horror now, and I've realized that some of those ideas found their way into how I approach suspense: what you don't show, what you don't explain, and sometimes what you make the audience wait to see.

So when I read what you're trying to do with SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE, I wanted to say hello. It's interesting to meet someone in Japan trying to send that storytelling tradition outward when some of us on the other side of the world have been absorbing its influence for most of our lives.

Best,

Tim

Hi Timothy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and heartfelt message. I was genuinely moved by your words.

As someone who grew up in Japan surrounded by Japanese films and pop culture, it is very meaningful to hear that those stories traveled across the world and became part of your own creative journey. The fact that Godzilla, Ringu, and other Japanese genre films stayed with you and influenced the way you approach storytelling reminds me once again that stories can travel far beyond the countries where they were created.

I was especially interested in what you said about suspense—what you don't show, what you don't explain, and what you make the audience wait to see. I think those elements can often stay with an audience longer than simply showing them everything.

My own goal with SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE is different in tone, of course, but perhaps it comes from a similar belief: to take something rooted in Japanese imagination and pop culture and share it with audiences around the world in a new way.

It is truly wonderful to know that, on the other side of the world, there are creators like you who have carried a connection to Japanese storytelling for so many years.

Thank you again for saying hello. I'm very glad our paths crossed here, and I would be happy to stay connected and follow your journey in supernatural horror as well.

Warm regards,

Kenji

Kenji Shimoi Hi Kenji,

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I’d be happy to stay connected and exchange ideas as our projects develop as well.

I’m also looking forward to following the progress of SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE and hearing how the project evolves. It’s always valuable to connect with filmmakers working on original worlds and ideas.

Wishing you continued success, and I hope we can keep in touch.

Hi Abhijeet,

Thank you very much for your kind message. I truly appreciate your continued interest in SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE.

I’m also glad that we connected here on Stage 32. As our respective projects continue to develop, I hope we can stay in touch and share our experiences and ideas along the way.

I’ll be looking forward to seeing how your own projects evolve as well.

Wishing you continued success, and I look forward to staying connected!

Best regards,

Kenji

SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE features a cast of unique and powerful female superheroes.

One of them is SUSHI MASK WOMAN NEO.

Young, fearless, and full of potential, she carries a secret power capable of destroying virtually anything with a single strike.

But there’s one catch.

She doesn’t even know that power exists.

And once she turns 20, it will be gone forever.

Kenji Shimoi Hi Kenji,

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I’m glad we connected as well, and I’d definitely like to stay in touch as both our projects develop.

I’ll be interested to see how SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE evolves, especially as you continue building its larger world. I’ll also keep you updated on Pie & Coffee and my other projects.

Wishing you continued success with the universe, and I look forward to exchanging ideas along the way!

Hi Abhijeet,

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your kind message.

I’m very glad that we connected as well. I look forward to seeing how Pie & Coffee and your other projects develop, and I’d be happy to stay in touch and exchange ideas along the way.

Thank you for your interest in SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE. I’ll continue building its world step by step, and I hope we can follow each other’s creative journeys.

Wishing you continued success with all your projects!

Best regards,

Kenji