Run=Dim

Run=Dim (Korean: 미래전사 런딤; stylized in all-uppercase as RUN=DIM) is a 2001 Japanese-South Korean CGI animated series co-produced by Idea Factory and Digital Dream Studios. The series aired on MBC in Korea from April 6, 2001,^[1] and on TV Tokyo's network in Japan in 2001.

The year is 2050. Earth is being damaged by nuclear waste. A Japanese organization, JESAS (Japan Established Security Army for Space),^[2] with militarist tendencies, dumps it illegally. In response, the Korean Green Frontier unleashes the ecologic robot Run=Dim to protect the environment. Kazuto, a Japanese young man, was used by JESAS and joined Green Frontier, led by Korean Kang Du-ta.^[3]

The series cost US$3,3 million to produce. Compared to Toy Story and the Korean animated series Cubix, both of which have an average of 100 characters, the series had, over thirteen episodes, 300 characters, a feat for 3D animation at the time. Being mainly animated in Korea, it had to comply with a more "contained" production environment, as the team had to remove bathing scenes involving the female protagonist and blood scenes in robot fights.^[3]

When the plot was revealed to the public in late February 2001, Japanese far-right groups sent petitions for TV Tokyo to change the name of Kang Du-ta to a Japanese name in the local dub, which was approved.^[3]

The first episode scored 3.5% on MBC, compared to the final episode of Geisters, which scored 1.7% share.^[3]

Cinema Service released a film adaptation in late 2001, based on key aspects of the series. For the film, JESAS was renamed NESAS.^[4] The film attracted 25,000 visits in 37 theatres upon release in November 2001, which Digital Dream Studios hoped to be a national success, as it surpassed the 24,000 visits of the local release of My Neighbor Totoro in July.^[5]