
– Featuring a new technology with a “Flash Module” boasting approximately six times the conventional brightness, expressing a grand story of evolution in the night sky –
Red Cliff Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Komei Sasaki; hereinafter “Red Cliff”), a company specializing in the planning and operation of drone shows, executed the opening drone show at the 12th Kita Ward Fireworks Festival held on Saturday, September 27, 2025. The event took place along the Arakawa riverbed, upstream from the Old Iwabuchi Sluice Gate (commonly known as the Red Gate) and the Iwabuchi Sluice Gate (commonly known as the Blue Gate).
A Grand Story of “Evolution of Life” Painted Across the Night Sky
The theme for this year’s Kita Ward Fireworks Festival was “PROGRESS” (Evolution/Advancement). Red Cliff’s drone show, which it operated and was directed by producer Shinichi Kudo, took the theme of “Evolution of Life,” with 500 drones illustrating a magnificent narrative in the night sky.
The show featured a dynamic sequence of motifs symbolizing the mystery and trajectory of life’s evolution, including a floating sphere, ancient fish, the birth of life, and the flapping of the Archaeopteryx. The breathtaking light display captivated the audience.

Furthermore, the show strategically incorporated drones equipped with a “Flash Module,” which boasts approximately six times the brightness of conventional LED lights. The dazzling flashes added depth to the presentation, achieving a level of three-dimensionality and dynamism never before seen.

Moving forward, Red Cliff will continue to create engaging and surprising entertainment by providing drone shows that maximize the individuality and appeal of local areas.


Comment from Director Shin-ichi Kudo

“It was a tremendous honor to direct the opening drone show for the Kita Ward Fireworks Festival, an entertainment event meticulously calculated down to the last detail.
Building on last year’s theme, ‘REBORN,’ we moved to this year’s ‘PROGRESS,’ focusing the direction on the ‘Evolution of Life.’ We took on a new challenge for a drone show by first creating a video storyboard (video conté) and then translating that directly into the drone animation.
Furthermore, by incorporating the latest ‘Flash Module’ technology, I feel that a new gate has opened for drone art, leading it into an exciting new phase!”
About Shin-ichi Kudo
He handles planning, direction, and production across a wide range of fields, including commercials, music videos, TV dramas, stage productions, and concerts. After studying art direction in London, he planned and directed the 2017 film Jounetsu no Bara (Rose of Passion) (starring Masatoshi Nagase and Kiko Mizuhara), which was officially screened at film festivals in 12 cities worldwide.
He has worked on over 500 projects and has received numerous awards, including the New York Festivals and the MTV Video Music Awards. For Yumi Matsutoya’s 50th Anniversary Project, his plan to recreate Yumi Arai using AI garnered significant attention and won the VFX-JAPAN AWARD Excellence Award. He also planned and produced the VR horror film Ouchi ni Ikō (Let’s Go Home) (directed by Takashi Shimizu and Yoshihiro Nishimura), which became the first Japanese film to receive permanent screening in Las Vegas. He continues to create emotionally resonant works with his unique sensibility and meticulous aesthetic.
About the Kita Ward Fireworks Festival
The Kita Ward Fireworks Festival is a private-sector-led tourism initiative that utilizes valuable local resources, such as the Arakawa River and the Red Gate (designated as a National Important Cultural Property). As a major annual event created through the combined efforts of local residents, the festival deepens civic pride and community bonds, contributing significantly to the enhancement of the area’s image.