Whether it is the movie "Theatrical Blue Steel Battleship - DC", which is currently being released, or the TV hit animation "Assassination Classroom". In addition, "Hama Tiger", "Persona4theANIMATION" series, "Danganron's School of Hope and Desperate High School Student THEANIMATION" and so on...... In recent years, director Seiji Kishi has brought us too many works worth paying attention to. So why is he so successful? Recently, some Japanese media conducted an exclusive interview with him.

"We were going to end with a TV series. However, after the work was broadcast, it was very rare to get a good review, so we began to think about a sequel. At that time, the theatrical version of zuò was not decided at once, and the staff was studying what form to make a sequel, so they decided to make two theatrical versions including the TV remaster. One of the reasons for deciding to make a theatrical version was the issue of the production cycle, and it was rare for everyone to be so happy watching the TV series, so we wanted to live up to everyone's enthusiasm. But if you make a TV animation in the first quarter again, it's too late in terms of the production cycle. ”

A few days ago, the first theatrical version of "Blue Steel Battleship - DC" officially met with the audience, and the number of movie theaters reached 36. In addition, the official has also confirmed that a popularity appreciation stage event will be held on February 15.

In "Blue Steel Battleship-DC", the characters who were once active in the TV series have grown further. And the appearance of the characters also attracted the attention of many people.

"In the TV series, we tell the story of the characters from birth to self-awareness. In the theatrical version, they also grew up to adolescence and established their own ideology. The posture of adolescent girls is also a highlight of the work. In addition, if there is one sentence to describe the theme of the entire theatrical version, it would be 'happiness'. Where should the happiness of each character be? I hope you can pay attention to this point. We have combined the remake part of the TV series with the new part, so the capacity has increased a lot compared to the original expectation. I think both those who watch "Blue Steel Battleship" for the first time and fans who have watched TV anime before should be able to get satisfaction from it. ”

The director and the "Chihaya group portrait" are one

The reason why the plot of the new work is so much more than originally expected is because of the large planning content.

"If you've read the original, you'll notice the fact that the anime focuses more on the story of the mental models than the original. The original work itself is a very informative work, so we are in a bitter battle over which plots to leave and which ones to cut. For this reason, we spent quite a long time struggling before deciding on the structure of the TV series. Normally, there will be several copies of the draft structure, but this work has made 4 copies. By the time I completed the 12-episode script, it had been two years since the project began. Now that my work can be evaluated like this, I am also full of emotion, and I feel that my time is worth it. ”

In addition to the work that is currently being released, the charm that Director Kishi brings to us can also be seen in "Assassination Classroom" that is currently being broadcast on TV. So what did the director pay attention to when making zuò?

"The so-called director, if you use a boat metaphor, is the captain. Just like the Chihaya group portrait in "Blue Steel Battleship", you need to determine the destination and tell everyone how to get there. The director's job started when the owner of the ship, that is, the maker gave the order to 'march to the treasure island'. Since sailing, you need a crew and equipment. Depending on the length of the voyage, whether it passes through the sea area that needs to be controlled by professionals, and where the specific destination is, the contents of the ship will also change. I'm going to start preparing these things, encouraging everyone, and then working with the crew for the most important tasks, to get to the destination. ”

And the treasure island of the destination is the audience, and it is also the people who have become fans of the work. But the ways to get there are varied. Director Kishi carefully designed the work and worked hard to keep the foundation of the work from being shaken.

"For example, in "Blue Steel Battleship", I value Cheng dù for character growth. In some important places, are there any subtle changes in the character's heart? The only person who can go through the entire series is the director. Involvement of staff members, if required. After that, every work will be the same thing, and you have to show the world view of the work. In the past, staff members would reflect their own personality in their works. Nowadays, however, there is a tendency to value the unity of the work. It's my responsibility not to let them deviate. ”

For directors, there are also some who draw their own storyboards. Director Kishi sometimes draws the storyboard himself, but in recent years, during the script meeting, he has asked others what specific pictures to draw and put forward storyboard requests.

"In terms of the nature of the work, there are 'pictures' that are needed no matter what. In this case, it's not a good thing to say, but I want everyone to follow their storyboard. This is also to keep the axis of the work from wavering. But other than that, I ask the reliable staff. In addition to drawing the storyboard I requested, there are also other proposals that will be proposed. They are very good experts and often make me think, 'Really good.'" ”

Regret can make the director grow

Put effort into the design of the work, and hand over the parts to different staff members. And meticulously make works that are made as commodities. Such a gesture is as if it were a person who made a zuò. So the so-called director often makes people think of "professionals with the temperament of an artist", but why does it seem like a producer?

"I've been talking to people about becoming a film director for a few years. Unfortunately, that plan didn't come to fruition...... At that time, the producer of the studio said to me, 'You should further hone your ability to come up with ideas.' How do you express your work? Who is it shown? In this regard, I didn't have enough charm at the time to convince people and advertisers. So there was no way to carry out the project. It's an experience I regret a lot. If the work is released but there is no good response, then it can only be my lack of ability. But at that time, it couldn't even be released. I was going to try it my way, but it didn't work at all. That experience changed the thoughts in my mind. ”

In the production of zuò works, it is necessary to talk about the advertisers who invest in them. And this aspect is difficult because advertisers often have to take risks. If the work is not popular enough to recoup its original cost, then they will suffer a loss.

"Even if you animate a work that sells 1 million copies, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will become popular. Risk is always there. The so-called proposal is not just about the merits. I think we should also make risk more attractive. I really like 'new stuff' and 'interesting stuff'. Every time I work on a new project, I'm very interested and think about what new and interesting things I want to come up with this time. And the audience may also care about these new things. If you can express the content that excites you, then I think advertisers will have the courage to take risks and take the first step. ”

Of course, advertisers and producers are diverse and cannot be generalized. However, Kishi's style is to always keep an active and beating heart.

Keep an eye out for the storms that make the staff cry!

A director like Cameron is always able to constantly change his style, but at the same time, some people feel that he has no personality. However, there is certainly a unique fragrance in Kishi's work. Director Kishi always tries to take on new challenges in the worldview of his works. And this time in "Blue Steel Battleship - DC", he also experienced that excitement.

"There's a picture of a ship floating on the surface of a stormy sea. This is a rare scene in ordinary animation. After all, it's hard to express such an effect with hand-drawn animation. This image was proposed by Hiroaki Matsuura, president of the animation production company Zuò Sangen. He showed me a sample and said, 'I want to make a sea like this.'" Of course, I was very happy with the proposal to make a situation that had never been seen before...... But because of this, I realized that I would definitely be hated to death by the people. I'm still excited, though. I think it's because it's a 3D animation that I can achieve such an effect, and I'm so happy. How powerful is such a picture...... Even just looking at the picture, it makes people feel seasick! ”

Let's not forget jì, this is an anime made entirely in 3DCG. Because it also has the hand-drawn style of celluloid, many people probably won't feel out of harmony, right? The TV series is almost made of 3DCG celluloid, and the goods are also very popular, which is one of the reasons why Director Kishi shocked everyone.

And the stormy sea in "Blue Steel Battleship - DC" has a more impressive factor than a sense of presence.

Director Kishi does not have a fixed style, and always pursues "fun" with his works. However, as far as the audience is concerned, they can often appreciate the charm of the work at a glance. This is exactly what the director has......