Anime Studio Madhouse (Hunter x Hunter) has released its first preview of Death Billiards, the studio’s submission to the Anime Mirai short animation anthology. The story follows two men, who find themselves playing for their lives in a game of billiards.

Death Billiards is directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa (Steins;Gate, Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine), and is produced by Takuya Tsunoki (Chihayafuru, Casshern Sins).

The Anime Mirai program is funded by government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs; in collaboration with the Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA), the Anime Mirai funds studios to train young animators on-the-job. Death Billiards is one of four animations of the anthology; the others are Little Witch Academia by Studio Trigger, Aruvu Rezuru – Mechanized Fairies by ZEXCS and Ryo by Gonzo. The shorts will be released in Japanese cinemas on 2 March.