‘On-Gaku: Our Sound’ Director Kenji Iwaisawa Returns to Annecy With Work-in-Progress ‘Hyakuemu’: First Look Art work (EXCLUSIVE)

Japanese director Kenji Iwaisawa‘s debut function “On-Gaku: Our Sound” was successful on the 2020 Annecy Animation Festival, the place it performed within the competition’s Contrechamp competitors and received greatest authentic music. This yr, the filmmaker returns to Annecy to current his subsequent movie, “Hyakuemu.”, in a devoted Annecy Work in Progress session.

Based mostly on the unique manga “Chi: Chikyū no Undō ni Tsuite” by Uoto, the movie tells the story of Togashi, a baby born to run. The boy wins each 100-meter race with little effort. In sixth grade, a switch pupil named Komiya arrives with a great deal of motivation however little technical talent. Togashi begins coaching along with his new classmate, who provides him a brand new goal: to win in any respect prices. Years later, the 2 meet as rivals on a racetrack.

“Hyakuemu.” is produced by Pony Canyon, Asmik Ace and the Tokyo Broadcasting System. Iwaisawa’s Rock’ N Roll Mountain is animating the function, which is nicely into manufacturing and scheduled for a theatrical launch in 2025.

This yr’s Annecy WIP panel might be attended by Iwaisawa together with the movie’s artwork director Keikankun Yamaguchi, animation director and character designer Keisuke Kojima, and Asmik Ace producer Akane Taketsugu.

“Hyakuemu” might be Iwaisawa’s second function. His third, “Hina is Stunning,” is already within the works and was a scorching title on the Marché du Movie’s Annecy Animation Showcase in 2023 and is scheduled to wrap in 2026.

Forward of this week’s Work in Progress presentation, Iwaisawa spoke with Selection about his new undertaking, working with completely different aesthetics, and delegating duties. He additionally shared some unique first-look paintings from the movie.

How vital is it for Japanese productions to take part in occasions like Annecy and have this sort of publicity within the West whereas nonetheless in growth or manufacturing?

Iwaisawa: I feel it is a crucial place to make a direct attraction to international locations apart from Japan.

Making ‘On-Gaku,’ you crammed seven roles, together with author, director, and animator. Are you doing a lot on this movie?

“On-Gaku: Our Sound” was a very particular person manufacturing, so I performed many alternative roles. For instance, I imagine that the scholars who submit works to the Commencement Movies classes at Annecy additionally play a number of roles. That is additionally true of quick movies. “On-Gaku: Our Sound” is a function movie that was made in the identical method as a brief. As a result of I made the movie in that method, I discovered myself enjoying a number of roles.

Alternatively, this time, I can focus on being the director as a result of “Hyakuemu.” is being produced as a function movie. Once I created “On-Gaku: Our Sound,” the director’s job was the one I used to be least capable of do as a result of I needed to do different issues as nicely. With “Hyakumemu.,” I lastly really feel like I can tackle the function of director.

The photographs we’ve seen for ‘Hyakuemu.’ are extra detailed and lifelike than these from ‘On-Gaku.’ Are you able to speak a bit in regards to the aesthetic variations audiences will see on this movie?

Once I made quick movies, my fashion was at all times to attract intimately, so for “On-Gaku: Our Sound,” I saved it easy to match the unique work. “On-Gaku” is a extra uncommon fashion for me, however because it was my debut work that was launched first, folks might have the impression that my fashion has modified rather a lot with “Hyakuemu.” The truth is, I feel the look in “Hyakuemu.” is nearer to my very own fashion.

I’m fairly aware of the visuals/aesthetics. I feel character design is extraordinarily vital. Character design is the very first thing the viewers will see, so I’m very cautious about issues just like the stability of the characters’ proportions. Additionally, fairly than the so-called orthodox visuals of Japanese anime, it’s extra like live-action, or someplace in between.

Like ‘On-Gaku,’ this movie takes place in a faculty setting. What’s it about that world that’s interesting to you as a storyteller?

I’ve by no means actually thought of it. In Japan, youth movies are sometimes set in colleges, however that is likely to be uncommon abroad. Somewhat than me having a specific desire, each movies have been based mostly on authentic works, and after I selected them, they have been set in colleges. It’s not that I consciously selected to make movies set in colleges.