Meet the real stars of Japanese animation. From crayons to CGI, discover the techniques and inspirations of some of Japan's most amazing animators.
Tomorrow's Worlds, From Today's Rising Star
Apr 8, 2017
Yasuhiro Yoshiura creates long-form sci-fi animations set in the near future. He discusses his animated series, Time of Eve, which suggests the possibility of more intimate human-robot relationships. Humans and robots coexist in a world where the robots are developed according to Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. The work features 3D computer-generated backgrounds that allow the "camera" to flow freely through the world as it captures the characters' emotions and relationships.
The Road to Your Name
Apr 15, 2017
In Japan, Makoto Shinkai has become a household name, thanks to the blockbuster success of his latest feature-length animation, Your Name. The film has already smashed records in China and is currently playing in countries around the world. Shinkai tells personal stories featuring sci-fi and fantasy elements. He is best known for his use of meticulously cut memory sequences and vivid background art to depict the internal drama of his characters.
Handcrafted Fantasies in a Digital World
Apr 22, 2017
Yoshiko Misumi creates fantastical worlds featuring handcrafted artwork and an aesthetic style that rejects animation's move towards digital. The result is like watching a moving picture book. Misumi's fantasy works range from children's cartoons to independently-made animated shorts.
Bringing Sketch Comedy to Animation
Jun 3, 2017
Taketo Shinkai creates animated sketch comedies featuring rapid-fire dialogue, minimal movement, and a distinctive pop visual style. The many shorts he has produced for TV have found a large audience, particularly among teenagers.
Surrealism through Simplicity
Jun 17, 2017
Atsushi Wada creates surreal worlds that are full of mind-bending details. He is known for the odd, humorous movement of his human and animal characters, which he draws entirely in thin pencil lines. Wada already has some overseas renown, having won a Silver Bear at the 2012 Berlin Film Festival.
Living, Breathing Paintings
Jun 24, 2017
Ryu Kato creates living paintings that dance beautifully across the screen. In both his artwork and his animation, Kato emphasizes the rhythmic and the unexpected -- qualities that he believes add a human touch to anime. Apart from his own independently produced shorts, Kato has directed animations for music videos, live concerts and TV.
A Maestro of Computer Graphics
Aug 19, 2017
Kohta Morie is a computer animator known for his dynamic and stylish visuals, which range from photorealistic expressions to cel-like animation. Although he made his start working on other artists' anime, he also writes and directs his own work.
Emphasizing Imagery with Minimalism
Aug 26, 2017
Ryo Okawara is an illustrator and anime director who consistently experiments with style -- for example, by creating a work that resembles a series of poster illustrations come to life. The minimalist movement in his work serves to highlight the striking images he produces.
Dramatic Flourishes
Oct 7, 2017
Yuhei Sakuragi is a computer animator who specializes in creating stylish female characters with a hand-drawn feel. As a digital native, he has a talent for knowing what young people, especially teenagers, look for in their anime heroines.
Chilling Your Spine and Tickling Your Funnybone
Oct 21, 2017
Toshiko Hata is an animator and illustrator who specializes in stop-motion horror comedy. Her decision to mix horror and comedy is based on her belief that these 2 genres offer the most liberating experiences for the viewer.
Depicting Life and Death with Puppets
Oct 28, 2017
Tomoyasu Murata creates puppet animations that delve into themes of life and death. His works mix realism and fantasy to depict both our world and the afterlife, and he portrays his characters through expressions and actions rather than words.
Adapting Science Fiction for the Big Screen
Nov 4, 2017
Hiroyuki Seshita is an animation director who has been involved in numerous feature-length adaptations of popular sci-fi manga. He often adds his own elements to the original works to bring them to life on the big screen
