APPKEY LLC (Representative: Junsuke Nakamura) has commenced sequential streaming of the 10-episode vertical short anime series 'Treasure Detectives ─ The Secret of the Underground Empire ─', produced using generative AI, on YouTube Shorts and TikTok from June 8, 2026. It is an adventure mystery about four boys pursuing 'treasures' from the Showa retro era. Concurrently, a companion app (iOS/Android) that uses AI to suggest the identity and value of items from photos will be simultaneously released on the App Store and Google Play on June 14.
About the Work
'Treasure Detectives' is a vertical (smartphone-oriented) short anime series depicting a group of four boys searching for treasures from the Showa retro era. It consists of 10 episodes, from Episode 1 'Acquisition of Secret Information' to Episode 10 'The Treasure Sleeping Underground', and will be released sequentially, one episode at a time.
- Work Title: Treasure Detectives ─ The Secret of the Underground Empire ─ (TREASURE SLEUTHS / UNDERGROUND EMPIRE)
- Format: Vertical short anime (fully animated, no live-action)
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Official Website: https://appkey.jp/otakara/ja/
The Treasure Detectives exploring inside a cave
Synopsis and Story Structure
An old photograph is obtained. Using it as a clue, four boys embark on an adventure mystery to pursue a hidden treasure sleeping in the 'Underground Empire'. The treasure at the center of the story is a retro toy (called the 'Holy Grail' by collectors, with an estimated value of tens of millions of yen). Centered around the Showa era atmosphere, nostalgia, and the friendship and curiosity of the boys, they approach a single grand mystery over 10 episodes.
Characters
- Ken: Tall leader. Action-oriented, keeps the team together.
- Taku: Brainy character with glasses. Responsible for analysis and deduction.
- Sho: Small but feisty mood maker.
- Haru: Large and expressive, the emotional core of the story.
The Treasure Detectives standing in front of their secret base
Production
This series was individually produced with generative AI as the core, from planning to distribution. The main production environment is as follows:
- Illustration (Characters/Backgrounds): Niji Journey / OpenAI Image Generation / Gemini Image Generation
- Animation: Seedance 2.0
- Editing/Finishing: Adobe Premiere Pro / Photoshop / Illustrator
- Audio/Sound/Music: ElevenLabs / Audiostock / Suno
- Development: Claude Code
With a production system based on generative AI, the entire process from planning, scriptwriting, and directing to editing and distribution is handled consistently.
Distribution Schedule and Platforms
All 10 episodes will be sequentially released one by one every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 7:00 PM (Japan time) from June 8, 2026 (Monday) to June 24, 2026 (Wednesday).
- YouTube Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@otakara_anime
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@otakara_anime
- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nosuke_appkey
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nosuke_appkey
Companion App 'Treasure Detectives (Treasure Sleuth)'
The app 'Treasure Detectives', which connects with the world of the work and allows AI to identify items and suggest their value simply by taking a photo, is scheduled to be released simultaneously on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) on June 14, 2026.
Deep in the closet, in a corner of a flea market, a old item you picked up for no particular reason – it might be a treasure. This app uses AI to find clues about the item's identity and value just by taking a picture. It's an app to bring back the excitement of searching for treasures among junk, just like when you were a child.
Treasure Detectives App (iOS / Android)
Scenes where it is useful:
- When you find something interesting at a flea market or antique fair
- When you're tidying up your house and unsure if you should throw something away
- When you find an unfamiliar item from your parents' home or a warehouse
- When you want to know a rough estimate of its value before listing it
What AI can tell you:
- Item candidates (what it is likely to be)
- Estimation of category, material, and age
- Estimated value (as a possibility range)
- Clues to authenticity (reference information, not definitive)
Pricing Plans: Free basic version. A more advanced 'Pro' plan is also available.
- Free Features: 3 similar candidates / Save up to 10 items
- Pro Features: 6 similar candidates + external links / Unlimited saves
- Pro Price: ¥600/month for iOS / ¥580/month for Android
*This app provides reference information by AI and is not an official appraisal or valuation.
Supported Platforms: iOS (iPhone/iPad) / Android
Release Date: Scheduled for June 14, 2026 (simultaneous release for iOS and Android)
Stores: App Store / Google Play (Store URLs will be announced sequentially on the official website [https://appkey.jp/otakara/ja/])
"Junk or treasure. AI will take you just before the answer." – The anime and the app are connected by the same theme of "the excitement of searching for treasure."
Original Work and Director Profile
Nosuke (Junsuke Nakamura)
Representative of APPKEY LLC. Engaged in the development and production of applications and digital content. For 'Treasure Detectives', he single-handedly handled everything from original concept, scriptwriting, and directing the anime to developing the companion app. The entire 10-episode anime was produced in about one month from planning to completion, and the app (iOS/Android) was developed in about two weeks.
Company Profile
- Company Name: APPKEY LLC
- Established: November 2025
- Representative: Junsuke Nakamura
- Address: 1-22-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, 2F
- Business Activities: Planning and development of AI-powered applications and web systems / Planning and production of digital content / Development and operation of original IP (Intellectual Property)
- Official Website: https://appkey.jp
Inquiries Regarding This Release
- Contact: Junsuke Nakamura
- Email: [email protected]
- Official Anime Website: https://appkey.jp/otakara/ja/
Keywords:
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: New Product