This year’s theme for THU Storytelling is “The Snake Sheds Its Skin”. How did the idea come about? 

Joana Vale (THU Writer & Storyteller): Every two years, THU Storytelling comes to life in Kaga City, taking the form of the zodiac animal of that year. Each edition is a chapter of its life. Since 2025 is the year of the snake, we chose “The Snake Sheds Its Skin” as the theme. This expression describes a process of renewal, and we wanted to wink at THU’s and the Tribe’s transformative power and never-ending effort to adapt.

 

What’s the backstory of the poster artwork for this edition?

Joana Vale (THU Writer & Storyteller): Once the theme is set, I begin shaping the story around it and writing the manifesto for the event, which will then serve as the central part of the briefing for the artists developing the poster. I always write each manifesto with the next one in mind, trying to anticipate the direction of upcoming narratives without setting anything in stone. When crafting a story, I like to plan ahead, but I also want to tiptoe the line between foresight and creative spontaneity. 

The poster for 2025 tells the story of the animal (a metaphor for THU and the community) as it evolves through its many forms. We started as a mouse - small but mighty, curious but fragile - and have now evolved into a snake: wise and quick to transform, shedding a skin and heading towards creative rebirth. This story began with the first edition of the event and will continue as long as the event lives, taking people on a journey through the metamorphosis of the animal as it adapts. Each new form brings a new perspective and sense of purpose, just like each event edition. 

 

Who was involved in creating the poster’s artwork, and how did that collaboration start?

Ines Coimbra (Producer & Team Lead): This collaboration started shortly after the release of "Everlasting", the 10th Anniversary video of Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn. Our team at DAMN had the privilege of playing a central role in that production: leading key departments, from production management and CG supervision, to modeling, shading, lighting, and compositing. Following that incredible experience, the THU team reached out to us again with an exciting new challenge. We were incredibly honoured, and from the moment we received the initial brief, we were committed to crafting a story that would both complement the THU Japan poster from 2023 while adding new layers of meaning to Greg's journey. As we have been involved, both as individuals and as a company, with THU for a long time, this project felt like a very exciting next step in the creative bond we have built together.

 

Can you walk us through your interpretation of the theme and manifesto to transform it into this unique artwork? How did you develop the visual language for this piece? 

Fabio Scied (Creative Director): The poster explores the theme of transformation through knowledge and growth. It serves as a direct continuation of the first poster, with each new piece drawing inspiration from the corresponding year’s Chinese zodiac. For 2025, the year of the snake, we highlight it as the central symbol: ancient, rich in meaning, and deeply rooted in Japanese mythology. Our protagonist, Greg (THU’s mascot), sheds his former mask (the mouse, symbolizing his past self) and now appears in a THU yukata, integrated into the tribe. We also wanted to connect the narrative to the cultural depth of the region. The visual language was developed around ideas of natural progression. Lush forest growth, spiritual architecture, and flowing water. Elements that invite the viewer to pause, breathe, and reflect on their own journey of transformation. Visually, we built upon the foundation established in the first poster by Victor Hugo. From the beginning, this was instrumental in helping us understand the level of stylization for the elements, as well as the visual cues that could serve as a bridge to this new chapter. The purple flowers, for instance, were intentionally retained as a visual anchor between the two posters.

 

How was the creative process of the poster? How did the idea evolve from the first draft to the final result?

Fabio Scied (Creative Director): The creative process began with the idea of a staircase in the forest. An ascent symbolizing the artist’s personal and creative growth. We wanted to depict a transition: not just someone who is on the path of mastering their craft, but someone beginning to confront and transcend their ego. This phase every artist goes through, between technical skill and true mastery, spoke to us in the context of the event and became the emotional core of the image. We grounded the vision in real-world inspiration, researching locations in Kaga such as Natadera Temple and Yamanaka Gorge to bring a sense of authenticity. From there, the environment evolved into a fictionalized version of Kaga, one that evokes the spirit of the place while existing entirely in its own universe. Visually, we introduced a moss-covered serpent as both guardian and metaphor for transformation. The golden mouse mask from the previous poster reappears, now discarded at the base of the staircase, serving as a subtle yet powerful symbol of Greg’s evolution. The composition was refined through many iterations, particularly in lighting and framing, to ensure the snake’s presence felt right and not scary at all. Silent yet powerful. And Greg’s posture reflects not only introspection but also happiness, as he's a joyful character. We fine-tuned every element: color grading, composition, and even how the depth of field would affect the legibility of the lettering. We wanted to make sure nothing distracted from the narrative. Every piece of the puzzle was placed with care and intention, right up until the final delivery.

 

What was the biggest challenge when creating this piece?

Nicolas De Aquino (Art Director & CG Supervisor): The biggest challenge was coordinating a team of artists from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience. From the start, we aimed to stay true to THU’s values, so involving the Tribe was essential. With so many creative voices in the mix, DAMN’s pipeline was crucial in keeping the team's output organized and consistent throughout the project.

 

Are there symbolic elements in the piece that viewers may overlook if they don’t know the story? Any easter egg or symbol you made sure to include? 

Nicolas De Aquino (Art Director & CG Supervisor): Absolutely. The golden mouse mask is a perfect example; it’s partially hidden in the grass and directly references the first poster and Greg’s earlier phase of self-reflection. The snake’s arched posture subtly mirrors a torii gate, symbolizing transition in his journey. The water flowing from its mouth represents life and ongoing transformation. If you look closely, the distant shrine and the soft blue fog further emphasize the sense of a sacred, almost spiritual journey for Greg.

 

Let’s talk composition and color. What’s their role in communicating the message you intended? 

Nicolas De Aquino (Art Director & CG Supervisor): The composition was designed to guide the viewer’s eye in a spiral, from the snake’s head, down to Greg, and finally to the golden mask, reflecting the idea of transformation as a continuous cycle. The snake’s flowing form is echoed throughout the image, especially in the curves of the trees and the winding stone path that leads Greg into the forest. Color played a key role in shaping the narrative. Green dominates the scene, symbolizing life. We also introduced subtle shades of blue emerging from the forest to add a sense of mystery and the unknown elements that naturally accompany any meaningful journey. Because green is so prevalent, we used warm tones only on Greg and the elements connected to him, like the petals and the mask, to naturally draw the eye toward him. The soft morning light and drifting petals add a touch of quiet magic, giving the whole scene a calm, almost sacred feel that reinforces the theme of gentle transformation. From look development to final output, Arnold and Nuke were essential! Helping us craft materials that supported the narrative and giving us the compositing flexibility to achieve a cinematic finish for the poster.

 

Read the full manifesto here.

 

Poster Credits List

Art Director & CG Supervisor

Nicolas De Aquino 

Creative Director

Fabio Scied

Production & Team Lead

Inês Coimbra

Writing & Storytelling

Joana Vale

Technical Director

Wallan Oliveira

Office Manager

Leticia Tavares

Concept Art

Fernando Peque

Modeling

António Costa

Icaro Correia

Inês Coimbra

Look Development

Michel Alencar

Fabio Scied

Nicolas De Aquino

Lucas Almeida

Environment

Fernando Kusaba

Luís Forte

Fur and Hair Grooming

Ricardo Manso

Nicolas De Aquino

Rigging

Thiago Valentin

FX

Rodrigo Henrique

Comp & Lighting

Lucas Almeida

Nicolas De Aquino

Fabio Scied

Special Thanks

Vitor Hugo

André Luis

Joana Vale