Toshio Hirata briefly talks about the origin of Japanimation, the revolution of limited animation, Masao Maruyama's unusual and pivotal role in Madhouse, and his prior work, such as Bobby's Girl.
Category: interviews
Mutsumi Inomata and Atsuko Ishida Discussion on 80s Cute Girls Anime
A retrospective between Mutsumi Inomata and Atsuko Ishida from 2012 on 80s cute girls anime, where they talk about working at Kaname Pro on projects such as Plawres Sanshiro, Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko, Windaria, and more.
Previously Unreleased Osamu Dezaki Interview
A previously unpublished Osamu Dezaki interview, brought to light thanks to the 2018 book "Complete Analysis! Osamu Dezaki, the Man who Created the Tomorrow’s Joe Anime"
Akio Sugino’s Brief Reflections on a Long Career
In this 2018 book, Osamu Dezaki's long-time partner in crime Akio Sugino briefly takes us through his recollections of Dezaki and others throughout his career.
Birth of the OAV: Talking Dallos and the Emerging Rental Market with Shigeru Watanabe
In this mid-80s Animage interview with Shigeru Watanabe, he talks about the reception of the first OAV Dallos and the emerging home video rental market.
Comic Box Interview: Bandai President Makoto Yamashina on Royal Space Force
With the theatrical release of Royal Space Force on the horizon, then-Bandai President Makoto Yamashina gives us the backstory of Bandai's entrance into movie production, and breaks down the differences between his and the younger generation and how this relates to the reception of the movie.
COMIC BOX インタビュー バンダイ社長 山科誠氏 王立宇宙軍
COMIC BOX No. 38 1987年5月号 p48-51より
Holding out for a B-Club: Toshihiro Hirano Commentary
Courtesy of this B-Club special, character designer and director Toshihiro Hirano gives us commentary on his 80s work in anime. Find out what he has to say about Megazone 23, Fight! Iczer One, Ninja Warrior Tobikage, Cosmos Pink Shock, Hyper Combat Unit Dangaioh, and a rejected Sunrise proposal: Iron Sperke.
Before the Golden Days: Of Mice and Osamu Dezaki
Director Osamu Dezaki started a revolution at Tokyo Movie in the 70s, according to this 1997 interview on The Adventures of Gamba.
The Other Half of the Golden Combo: Akio Sugino Interview – Work History & Other Resources (Part 6/6)
A comprehensive list of Sugino's anime industry work, and other Japanese resources that contain interviews.
The Other Half of the Golden Combo: Akio Sugino Interview – Animation and Akio Sugino (Part 5/6)
"I went back and forth to America over the span of a few years and designed these characters. But ultimately I got dropped from [Nemo]. It was really quite unfortunate."
The Other Half of the Golden Combo: Akio Sugino Interview – Establishing Annapuru (Part 4/6)
"When the production for Tomorrow’s Joe 2 was confirmed, we pleaded with the company president to let us just focus on Tomorrow’s Joe 2 instead of working on two shows in parallel. We wanted to do it justice. But we were told it would be a waste of resources from a business perspective. That rejection caused a rift, and I left with Dezaki to form a new company."
The Other Half of the Golden Combo: Akio Sugino Interview – Work Outside of Tokyo Movie (Part 3/6)
"Yes. I distinctly remembering meeting with (Isao) Takahata several times in Sakuragaoka. We’d have two hour meetings just to talk about 30 shots."
The Other Half of the Golden Combo: Akio Sugino Interview – Madhouse and Tokyo Movie (Part 2/6)
Tokyo Movie also adapted Attack No. 1. Initially with Aim for the Ace! I was told to adapt it just like they had done for Attack No. 1. But it became very clear that if Dezaki was helming the adaptation of Aim for the Ace! then it was not going to turn out like that.
The Other Half of the Golden Combo: Akio Sugino Interview – Mushi Production Era (Part 1/6)
"I barely got published in two [gekiga] magazine volumes. I have those volumes stored away. No one has seen them. (Osamu) Dezaki was under the impression that none of my submissions got picked up for publication, but I proudly informed him otherwise."