Some cuts from Takayuki Hirao‘s (Pompo the Cinephile, The Garden of Sinners: Paradox Spiral) upcoming Wasted Chef have been revealed through a video for this year’s Annecy Animation Showcase titles.
The initial cuts appear to be from the same scene as the film’s recently released still, while the last two have the appearance of a flashback and feature a finely depicted burger.
Aside from Wasted Chief, another Japanese project featured in Annecy Animation Showcase 2026 is Masashi Kawamura‘s samurai film Hidari, which features stop-motion animation and wooden figures. The remaining three are Vergine Keaton’s Bataille, Alain Gagnol’s DOG MY CATS!, and Sofia Carrillo’s Insectario.
The Annecy Animation Showcase, which is a collaboration between Marché du Film and Annecy International Animation Film Festival, feature work-in-progress titles that are shown to “sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers.” Wasted Chief has 2027 listed as its completion date.
Wasted Chief is the first original work from Hirao, who has also directed anime like God Eater and Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack. The project’s production was reported in 2023, and the staff includes Shingo Adachi (Lycoris Recoil director, Sword Art Online Season 1 and 2 character designer) as character designer and Kenta Matsukuma (Pompo The Cinephile) as music composer.
The film’s Annecy Animation Showcase synopsis reads:
A young chef chasing a lost flavor lands in a ruined city without taste. Saved by Kasumi, his cooking awakens forgotten memories. But a dark force threatens to erase all desire — making his quest the last hope to save both worlds.
Source: Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes YouTube channel
