What matters in animation is expression – Interview with Mamoru Oshii [Niigata International Animation Film Festival]
The Niigata International Animation Film Festival held its first edition in March 2023, with a varied program showcasing works from around the world. And to top it off all and start this new festival with style, the head of the festival's jury was none other than the...
Studio MAPPA’s rising star animator – Interview with Benjamin Faure
Benjamin Faure is an animator who has impressed audiences with his work on some of the trendiest anime series, such as My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man. As he works remotely from France, one would assume Benjamin is part of the "Webgen" animators....
Thinking anime in 3D, interview with Yasuhiro Yoshiura – [19th Carrefour du Cinéma d’animation]
At the start of the 2000s, several artists were able to claim some fame by releasing independent animated short films and leveraging that position to make their breakthrough into commercial animation. One such name that comes to mind is Makoto Shinkai, whose...
Dating Simulation Revolution – Interview with Kôji Igarashi [MAGIC 2023]
At the 2023 edition of the MAGIC (Monaco Anime Game International Conference), organized by Shibuya Productions, we had the chance to meet multiple video game legends. One of them was none other than Kôji Igarashi, also commonly credited under his nickname IGA, mostly...
The Master of Horror – Interview with Junji Itô [50th Angoulême International Comics Festival]
This interview with Junji Itô was initially published in French on my own website, Le Cabinet de McCoy. I'm happy to be able to share an international version of it thanks to my friends at fullfrontal.moe. Junji Itô has become a household name when thinking of horror...
The Countess of Castlevania – Interview Ayami Kojima [MAGIC 2023]
In February, at the 2023 edition of the MAGIC (Monaco Anime Game International Conference), organized by Shibuya Productions, we had the chance to meet one of the greatest video game illustrators of all time, none other than Ayami Kojima, the artist behind a huge part...
Final Fantasy’s Dungeon Master – Interview Hironobu Sakaguchi [MAGIC 2023]
In February, we had the chance to meet the great game designer behind Final Fantasy, Hironobu Sakaguchi, at the 2023 edition of the MAGIC (Monaco Anime Game International Conference), organized by Shibuya Productions. Actually, the first time I met him was many years...
Tales of Anime Production – Interview with Kôji Takeuchi [Annecy Animation Festival 2022]
At the last Annecy Animation Festival, we met with a familiar face: Mr. Kôji Takeuchi, whom you’ll see every year at the MIFA to promote his numerous activities. The first time we met him was at the 2017 edition of the festival. He was staying at the hotel in front of...
From picture books to animation: Noko Yukawa & Studio Gorilla [JETRO x Kickstarter]
Studio Gorilla is a small studio with a long history. As is often the case in the anime industry, its creators are fueled by simple things: love and passion. With these, they have participated in a variety of projects aimed at children, which have always been their...
Looking for a Japanese new CG: Yuta Sano & Studio 4°C [JETRO x Kickstarter]
Studio 4°C is one of the most famous animation companies in Japan. For decades, they have created many experimental films and have acquired a passionate fandom overseas. Right now, the studio is embarking on a new project which will require the help of such fans - a...
Old and New: Ekura Animal’s Heike Monogatari – Interview with Hitomi Toyonaga [JETRO x Kickstarter]
Ekura Animal, or Eclat Animal, is an animation studio with a long history: created in the early 1980s, its roots go back to the very beginnings of Japanese animation and the students of one of anime's greatest artists, Yasuo Otsuka. At Full Frontal, we have known...
Breaking the Mold: making Hana the Last Diviner – Interview with Hiroki Taniguchi [JETRO x Kickstarter]
Hiroki Taniguchi is an independent anime and film producer and director who is the head of the studio Public Arts, a tiny company as it has only one permanent member: himself. Mr. Taniguchi has been selected to participate in the ongoing initiative by JETRO aiming to...