Gigguk’s First Anime Film — Bâan: The Boundary of Adulthood

After two years of production, Garnt Maneetapho, AKA Gigguk, has released his own anime short film in collaboration with Studio Daisy and GeeXPlus. bâan: The Boundary of Adulthood is directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi and was written and produced by Gigguk himself.

Bâan, Gigguk’s Journey to Making an Anime

With music by Kevin Penkin and featuring the voices of Haruna Mikawa and Showa Ishige in the Japanese version and Sydney Poniewaz and Aleks Le in the English dub, bâan brings together an excellent cast with superb animation and moving music.

As an isekai, or otherworldly anime, it’s a great watch not only for fans of his YouTube channel but also for any anime fan looking to experience an intricate and uplifting tale.

Who is Gigguk?

Garnt “Gigguk” Maneetapho, is a British YouTuber, podcaster, and now anime producer who has been creating comedic anime and otaku culture reviews on YouTube since 2006.

Gigguk’s channel has been a mainstay for humorous reviews of anime series, seasonal releases, and otaku. Garnt began his origins on the platform as “The AnimeZone” before rebranding to “Gigguk” in 2017. His early embrace of YouTube as a platform for anime critique makes him a pioneer of the anime review genre.

In 2019, Gigguk moved to Tokyo and, a year later, began co-hosting the Trash Taste podcast alongside Joey “The Anime Man” Bizinger and Connor “CDawgVA” Colquhoun. Together, they discuss all things otaku culture and their own experiences living in Japan.

Throughout his career, Gigguk has made engaging and hilarious reviews across various anime genres and collaborated with many creators to bring his passion for the art form to the forefront of content creation.

That passion inspired him to make his own anime. After teaching himself screenwriting and going through trial and error, Gigguk finally got his project greenlit by Studio Daisy.

What is bâan about?

Bâan, meaning “home” in Thai, is Gigguk’s first anime production. Based on his personal experiences living abroad and across many cultures, the story explores how people define their place in the world and what “home” really means.

The anime follows two protagonists, Dai and Rin, as they experience each other’s worlds. Dai travels to the fictional world of Euthania, while Rin travels to Earth. Both face the joys and struggles of being in a foreign place and redefining themselves within those new cultures.

Euthania and Tokyo: Two Worlds, One Theme

Inspired by Southeast Asian mythology, Euthania is filled with mystical creatures like naga (mythical serpents) and kinnaree (half-bird, half-human beings). These beings coexist alongside stark landscapes and dangerous monsters.

In contrast, Tokyo is presented as a modern concrete jungle full of social and cultural trials. As they navigate these two vastly different worlds, Dai and Rin must confront what it means to find home.

How do we rate bâan?

At around 20 minutes long, bâan is short but impactful. The animation captures Euthania beautifully, while Kevin Penkin’s soundtrack elevates the emotional core of the film. The dual storytelling makes it highly rewatchable, and the subtle Easter eggs about its production add an extra layer of charm.

Overall, bâan is a heartwarming and relatable story for anyone who has lived abroad, experienced a new culture, or spent time away from home. The characters are well-voiced, the worldbuilding is impressive, and it all comes together in a compact but powerful narrative.

Our rating: Check it out! ✨🎉

Watch bâan!

The film had a limited premiere in Japan on August 24, 2025. The full release will be on Gigguk’s YouTube channel on September 20th, 2025. A behind-the-scenes documentary about its creation will also be released alongside the anime. For dub fans, the English version will premiere the same day. Check Gigguk’s channel for its official release and look forward to hearing how it was all made in the coming weeks!

Spotlight: Food in bâan

What anime is complete without mouthwatering food animation?

In bâan’s exploration of home, the characters enjoy a variety of dishes—each one looking just as delicious as the last. At TokyoTreat, we know food can transport you instantly to another place, so this part of the anime struck a chord with us.

Two dishes stand out: Euthanian curry and fried rice. Let’s take a closer look at their possible inspirations.

Curry

Curry is a cultural staple that has spread into cuisines across the world. Originating in India, the dish traveled to the UK, Japan, Thailand, and practically anywhere with access to spices, taking on new varieties and flavor profiles along the way. In many ways, curry is not bound to any one nationality—it defines itself wherever it lands.

In the UK, curry took the form of Chicken Tikka Masala, created by a Bengali chef in Glasgow who adapted his recipe to suit local tastes. Interestingly, it was also the British who introduced curry to Japan during the Meiji era via their navy. There, it evolved into a beloved dish thickened with a French-style roux, often made in large batches for schools and homes alike.

Meanwhile, Thai curry developed from local ingredients but eventually absorbed global influences after Portuguese merchants brought chilies to the region in the 16th century. Despite these differences, its combination of aromatics served over rice or noodles makes it feel familiar to its counterparts elsewhere.

All in all, curry—much like the characters in bâan—adapts and redefines itself wherever it goes. It remains a deeply comforting dish that easily reminds people of home and the cooking of their caregivers.

Fried Rice

Rice is one of the most common foods in the world, so it makes sense that a place like Euthania would have its own version of fried rice. The dish first started in China as a clever way to use leftover ingredients, and from there it spread across Asia, picking up new flavors along the way.

In Japan, fried rice is a favorite at chuuka restaurants (Japanese-style Chinese diners), where it’s been adjusted to match local tastes. Thai fried rice, or khao pad, also came from China but has its own twist with jasmine rice, fish sauce, and cucumbers on the side. Sometimes it even comes with pineapple, served right in the fruit itself!

Euthanian fried rice probably uses rice grown in nearby fields and whatever fresh ingredients are available. Like real-world versions, it shows how a straightforward dish can adapt to different places and still feel comforting.

Euthania: A Place for a Homecooked Meal

It’s no surprise that Dai and Rin embrace the foods of both Euthania and Japan as they explore their new worlds. You don’t need a magical transporter to enjoy these flavors, though. With a TokyoTreat box, you can bring a taste of Japan into your home—then sit back and experience the story of bâan on Gigguk’s channel in both English and Japanese.

Ultimately, bâan reflects Gigguk’s journey, a love letter to cultural exchange, and a reminder of how food, place, and memory can define what “home” means. If you’re a fan of Gigguk or simply an anime fan curious about fresh storytelling, this short film is one you shouldn’t miss.