What if a young sushi apprentice became the world's next great superhero?
I am developing SUSHI MASK UNIVERSE, an original cinematic universe that blends Japanese pop culture with global superhero storytelling.
Long ago, an ancient race of fish-humanoids known as the Deep Sea Royalty ruled the Earth. Driven into the depths by a devastating solar flare, they built an underwater empire and waited thousands of years for the chance to reclaim the surface world.
Now, led by KING ABYSS and the mysterious organization FOODIE, they have discovered a way to transform humanity's darkest emotions into gigantic monsters known as FOOD BEASTS.
At the center of this conflict is Ken Ichinotani, a 21-year-old half-Japanese, half-American sushi apprentice who dreams of becoming a master sushi chef.
When his brilliant scientist father is abducted by FOODIE, Ken is drawn into a battle far greater than he could ever have imagined. Using the MIRACLE 3D GOGGLES, powered by the sacred power of the sea, Ken transforms into SUSHI MASK—a hero who must overcome his fear, discover his true power, and ultimately fight for the survival of humanity.
In terms of tone, imagine the epic monster scale and action of Pacific Rim, the coming-of-age spirit and character-driven journey of The Karate Kid, combined with a distinctive layer of comedy and Japanese pop-culture imagination.
But SUSHI MASK is more than a single superhero story.
It is the beginning of a larger universe with multiple heroes, monsters, mysteries, and stories that can expand across film, streaming, animation, games, and other media.
I created this project with a simple ambition:
To make audiences around the world laugh, feel inspired, and emotionally connect with a hero they have never seen before.
I am now looking to connect with film producers, production companies, development executives, and creative partners around the world who are interested in discovering original IP with global potential.
If this concept sparks your imagination, I'd love to connect and hear your thoughts.
The journey of SUSHI MASK begins here.
September 2026 Open House Webcast
Bring Your Questions: Join Us for the FREE Stage 32 Community Open House
Wednesday, September 23rd at 12:00pm PT
You have questions. You're curious about how to actually make the most of your time on Stage 32, how to use the resources here successfully, how to build genuine relationships that lead somewhere meaningful, and how to move forward with real intention. How to find the right collaborators, producers, financiers, reps, distributors, etc.
That's exactly what this FREE event is designed for.
Our Community Open House is a live, fully interactive conversation hosted by me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community here at Stage 32. It's a genuine gathering where you get to show up, share what you're working on, ask the questions that have been on your mind, and get direct guidance tailored to where you actually are in your journey.
Whether you've attended one before or this is your first, the conversation is different every single time. It's shaped by the members who take the time to join, be present, and bring their real questions to the table. Your voice, your goals, and your curiosity make each Open House uniquely valuable.
Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-september-2026-community-open-house-webcast
We'll cover the tools and features on Stage 32 that most consistently create momentum for members, and we'll talk about what's happening on the platform that you don't want to miss out on. September lands us in a genuinely exciting stretch of the year. We're coming off Venice and Toronto International, in the middle of New York Film Festival, heading into Austin Film Festival, and gearing up for our annual November Write Club campaign. There's real opportunity to position yourself for what's ahead, and we'll talk about how to do exactly that.
We'll close with a live Q&A focused entirely on you, your questions, your projects, and your next steps. And if you can't join us live, don't worry! Registering guarantees you the full recording so you can watch it anytime, from anywhere.
Come as you are. Bring your questions. Let's have a real conversation.
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