Animated "Dragon Heart" Explores Afterlife Realms in Meditative Journey

In October 2025, director Isamu Imakake is preparing for the release of his latest animated film, "Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World," which is eligible for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards. The more than three-year journey to bring this film to life has been a transformative experience for Imakake, who has visited a slew of real-world locations, including Tokushima and Kyoto, to inspire both the story and the visuals.

"It was a journey of my enlightenment," Imakake told TheWrap's Joe McGovern during a virtual screening last month. Along the way, Imakake and his team began practicing meditation in a bid to "calm our minds and concentrate our minds so that we can create a better production." This focus on inner reflection was crucial, as the film aims to illustrate "the world beyond this world, which is after life or after world."

The fantastical premise of "Dragon Heart" follows two teenage cousins, Ryusuke and Tomomi, who are rescued by a dragon and taken on a sweeping adventure through the spirit world, including different sections of hell. As the characters navigate these realms, the film blends genres like horror, crime, and war, with Imakake drawing inspiration from real-world elements like snakes and temple designs to bring the otherworldly settings to life.