Three Trips to Japan That Shaped the World of Kaidro
November 3, 2026
By Kaidro
What happens when two artists bring their sketchbooks to Japan three times? For Robert and Peggy, every trip, from a budget vacation to a whirlwind of pitch meetings, left a lasting mark on the world of Kaidro.
Before Kaidro became a graphic novel, a game, and a growing universe, Robert and Peggy pitched it as an animated series. When that pitch was scrapped, they had a choice to make: let the idea go, or find another way to tell the story. They chose comics. In Creators Vlog 09, Robert and Peggy look back at three trips to Japan and how each one shaped the world of Kaidro. From Tokyo's layered cityscapes and Kyoto's sacred shrines to the open landscapes of Hokkaido and a grueling business trip with a baby in tow, every journey left its mark on the cities, spirits, and themes of the Kaidro universe.
Three Trips, Two Very Different Purposes
Robert and Peggy have traveled to Japan three times, and each trip had a very different purpose. The first two, in 2017 and 2019, were vacations: chances to explore, recharge, and take in new places as artists. The third, in 2023, was all business. Looking at the trips side by side shows how much changed along the way. They went from exploring Japan as travelers with sketchbooks to returning as creators invited to pitch their own original world.
2017: Tokyo on a Student Budget
Their first trip in 2017 was made on a tight, student-style budget. Keeping things simple didn't limit how much there was to see, and Tokyo made a lasting impression from the start. The city's sprawling transit network was a big part of that. Rail lines, stations, streets, and buildings seem to stack on top of one another, creating a city that grows in layers rather than simply spreading out. That layered architecture became a key reference when designing the Union of Arms. Thinking about how people live and move through a dense, interconnected city helped give the faction's world a sense of scale and a grounded, lived-in feel.
Kyoto and the Spirit World of Kaidro
From Tokyo, the journey continued to Kyoto. Rather than only visiting the most famous landmarks, Robert and Peggy spent time exploring everyday neighborhoods, finding inspiration in the details of daily life. One of the most meaningful stops was the Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its fox statues and long paths of vermilion torii gates. The shrine's atmosphere and its connection to the spirit world sparked ideas that grew into Kaidro's Gaia spirit lore. Japan's blend of the ancient and the modern also left its mark. Seeing tradition and technology exist side by side influenced Kionte, a place in the Kaidro universe where technology meets spirituality.
2019: Hokkaido and Unexpected Story Moments
By their second trip in 2019, Robert and Peggy had learned an important travel lesson: pack light. Leaving room in their luggage meant they could bring home artbooks and collectibles, a must for any artist visiting Japan. This time, the trip took them to Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island. Its natural landscapes offered a change of pace from the dense cities of the first trip, and a different kind of inspiration. Some of the most memorable moments turned into story ideas. A sukiyaki dinner helped inspire Ava's first meal, and a gondola ride gave them sweeping top-down views of the city below, a perspective that shaped how they think about Kaidro's cityscapes.
2023: Pitching Kaidro in Japan
As their studio grew, so did the opportunities. Robert and Peggy were invited back to Japan, this time to pitch Kaidro. The 2023 trip took them through Tokyo and Kyoto, but it was far from a vacation. They kept up an exhausting 14-day schedule of meetings and presentations, all while traveling with their 11-month-old. The trip tested their endurance in every way. At one point, they even had to present on stage while dealing with food poisoning. It was a reminder that building something original takes persistence, especially when things don't go according to plan.
Full Circle: Never Give Up on Your Dreams
Looking back, the three trips trace the journey of Kaidro itself. An idea that started as a scrapped animation pitch found new life as a comic, and the artists who once explored Japan on a student budget returned as creators invited to share their own world. Each trip added something new: a city layout, a spirit, a meal, a view from above, and the determination to keep going. For Robert and Peggy, the lesson is simple: keep creating, keep exploring, and never give up on your dreams.