The last few years can be said to be an era of new glory for Disney animation. Released in the spring of 2013, "The Invincible Destroyer" caused a strong response in Japan, and "Frozen", which was released in Japan on March 14, 2014, created a box office myth. The work is currently the third highest grossing film in Japan, and even though it's been four months since its release, you can still see it in theaters.

And Disney's footsteps are far from stopping. The company's new animation "Plane Story 2: Rescue in the Line of Fire" will be officially launched on July 18, and the Japanese side will also release this work on the 19th local time. In addition, another Disney production, "The Great Heroes", will also meet the audience on December 20. It should be said that 2014 is not an exaggeration to call Disney the year of animation.

So what's the reason for Disney's continued popularity of titles? Recently, some Japanese media interviewed Andrew Myerstein, vice president of Disney, to seek answers from his mouth. So what exactly will he tell us? Hurry up and read below!

■ The secret of Frozen's popularity

Q: Japan is also a special film market in the world, so animated films that have won a lot of popularity in other countries are not necessarily bought by Japanese audiences. Among them, Disney's works have been warmly welcomed in Japan, and it can be said that they are very exceptional. So what do you think is the reason why Disney's anime is so popular with Japanese audiences?

Myerstein: There are many reasons for this, but I think one of them is that Disney has a long history of spreading in Japan. Based in Tokyo, we have a good understanding of the Japanese market. In addition, we are in close communication with our fans in Japan, and we are always thinking about what kind of movies will be recognized by everyone, and what kind of movies will be recognized.

Q: Even if you look away from Japan, Disney's anime works are loved by audiences outside of the U.S. This popularity is extraordinary. In this day and age, there is actually no big difference in animation imaging in terms of technique. But Disney's work can still resonate in the hearts of many audiences, how is this possibility realized?

Myerstein: Disney really has a very long history and a lot of experience in making animated films. The strength of our company lies in the fact that we can make our work accessible to audiences of all ages. And under this premise, it will also show the difference.

Q: Among the many popular works, the most recent "Frozen" has sparked a boom in the world. So what is the secret of this work's popularity?

Melstein: In this respect, it boils down to the universality of both the plot and the protagonists. Issues such as love and entanglement between sisters can also resonate with everyone in the world.

Q: Did you expect this work to be so popular from the beginning?

Myerstein: Although we thought it would be great if the work could gain popularity. But we don't have a calculation of how popular it will be. In short, no matter which work we are facing, we always meet the challenge with the mentality of "making the best work". And we're really happy to have such a big success so far. And the audience of the whole world will love this work, and it also makes us feel extremely honored.

■What kind of existence did the Disney animation studios that produced "Flight Story 2" exist?

Q: Mr. Myerstein is currently in charge of Disney Animation Studios and Disney Animation Studios. On July 19, Disney Cartoon Studio's "Plane Story 2: Rescue in the Line of Fire" will be released in Japan, but Disney fans in Japan may not know much about Disney Cartoon Studios. Can you tell us about Disney's goals?

Melstein: Disney currently has three studios: Pixar Studios, Disney Studios, and this Disney cartoon studio. Of course, there are also a number of studios that produce TV animations. Disney Cartoon Studios is the newest studio to be established, and we're focused on making the series. Not just Finding Flying, the studio will also be responsible for the Disney Dream Fairy series. The studio's goal is to bring Disney's various characters and franchises together in the same worldly view.

Q: Disney Cartoon Studios seems to be producing at a fast pace, right?

Myerstein: It's not easy to create a story and create a character. Making a film is also difficult, so that doesn't mean studios have to be fast.

Q: Did you consider some of the needs of the Japanese market during the production of Flight Story 2?

Melstein: If there's one thing that makes the film market different from other countries, it's that when you promote a film, you have to make sure that the theme is clearly expressed. I think that fully expressing the emotional elements attached to the work to the audience is one of the characteristics of our promotion. And the result of this publicity has made "Frozen" a success. We publicize and let the audience have the best chance of entering the cinema.

In the promotional part of "Plane Story 2: Rescue in the Line of Fire", we also want to pour out our feelings to the audience, so that they have the motivation to come and watch.

■ Operations of Disney and its animation studios

Q: You talked about Disney's long history. I think it's this kind of historical precipitation that allows Disney to gather so many talents. However, I think it is not easy for managers to fully manage these creative and artistic personnel. So what is your secret to maximizing the creativity of creators from the perspective of business owners?

Melstein: I think the most important thing is to show respect for them. It is also very important for them to have an environment where they can give full play to their talents.

Q: Mr. Myerstein brought to the studio a philosophy of "making the animation scene constantly inspiring". For what purpose did you cite such a system?

Myerstein: I want our studio to be one where anyone can express their opinions freely, where everyone is open and open, and where the work environment is healthy and dynamic. My ideal working environment is one where every animator can bring their passion and skills to their work.

I believe that creating an environment where everyone can work comfortably will be a direct cause of great work. And I think the success of "Frozen" is also inseparable from this environment.

Q: Disney's works are rich in traditional elements, such as the princess series, which many people are very familiar with. Do you aim to continue to create works that make use of traditional stories?

Myerstein: Not really. If we want to talk about Disney's heritage, then it is better to say "innovation". Our goal is to build on the legacy of previous excellent works and create new works.

Q: When creating new things, do you think about attracting overseas talent in the future? For example, have you considered setting up an animation studio overseas?

Melstein: Disney has had studios in Orlando (in the United States), in Canada, Australia and in Japan. But that's too big for us. We want to be able to bring great people together in one place. That's Burbank, California. There are a lot of people here, and then creativity is sure to happen.

Q: On the other hand, will more and more Japanese creators join Burbank's studio in the future? Is this a possibility?

Myerstein: Absolutely. Diversity is important. We hope to be able to gather talents from all over the world's cities.