#manabu ootsuka

[gonagaiworld]

Lo studio MAPPA sogna di diventare come Ufotable e Kyoto Animation Manabu Ootsuka ha parlato della sua visione del futuro dell'azienda e degli obiettivi che si è prefissato per la sua gestione a lungo termine. Info:--> https://www.gonagaiworld.com/lo-studio-mappa-sogna-di-diventare-come-ufotable-e-kyoto-animation/?feed_id=409241&_unique_id=654775cccea00 #Interviste #StudioMappa

[toraonice]

Yuri on Ice interview translation - Otomedia 2016/12 (p35)

Wow, translation post! You might wonder “why did you translate this interview now??”. The answer is “because I hadn’t translated it yet!”, so for the sake of completeness. It was published when the anime only aired up to episode 6, but I’m going to post another interview after this one which was published later so I thought it was better to post this first anyway. The last question is SO random, lol...

(By the way, Otsuka is the producer but didn’t really have a big role in the creation of the story. He mainly manages MAPPA since he’s also the current representative director and I guess he’s busy enough with that)

***If you wish to share this translation please do it by reblogging or posting a link to it*** 
***Re-translating into other languages is ok but please mention that this post is the source***

What troubles the man that is considered a genius? Producer Manabu Otsuka interview

—What was your impression when you heard about this project?

First of all, I thought Mitsurou Kubo-san’s pictures were powerful. It was convincing enough to make me believe that it would be interesting to see these characters animated. At the same time, I also thought that it would be extremely difficult to animate figure skating (wry smile). —At that time had you already decided how to animate the figure skating scenes?

Director Sayo Yamamoto had previously created a short anime about figure skating, and we had talked about the fact that we could use that know-how. We also had experience turning real life scenes of people playing music into animation in “Sakamichi no Apollon”, so we reckoned that we could both put our knowledge to good use. —They both involve turning real life footage into animation, but what was most different between people playing instruments and figure skating?

In musical performances the camera was fixed, so there was no difficult camerawork. However, skating was filmed with a camera that followed Kenji Miyamoto-sensei during his performance, therefore it involved a lot of complex camerawork which was a pain for the digital staff to handle (wry smile). —You also used a lot of camera angles that are not normally seen in regular live coverages.

Adding those kinds of camera angles and other elements had an interesting effect, because they emphasized the most exciting parts of the skaters’ performances and the songs. Seeing how the scenes were structured made me realize once again how much the director loves figure skating. —How do you feel looking back on the anime up to episode 6?

I feel that the presence of Kubo-san in the anime production process made it possible to keep a steady characterization and development of the characters. It’s quite rare to use a manga storyboard as the scenario for an anime, and it makes many things more difficult, but I’m pretty satisfied because I think by now you are all able to appreciate its drawing power. —Could you tell us what you think is especially interesting about the main three characters?

Regarding Yuuri, it’s interesting how he is influenced by Victor and gradually changes. Unlike the flow of normal hot-blooded anime, in episode 6 it looks like he gave his best performance, and then he suddenly gets anxious afterwards. He’s not constant. In response to Yuuri’s fluctuations, Victor, who is inexperienced as a coach, tries to do various things, some of which work and some don’t. I think that their relationship feels original because it’s not typical. Yurio is only 15 but fights to overcome lots of obstacles. I liked how even though he looks like an elite Kubo-san chose not to have him walk an easy path. —What about Victor?

He’s difficult. I can never imagine what he will say next. He’s an alien, I tell you (LOL). However, the reason he chose Yuuri, the issues that trouble him because he’s a genius, the distress of always looking for something new not to disappoint his fans… I don’t know if the story will delve into these things (wry smile), but I believe they are connected to the reason he became Yuuri’s coach. I think what troubles a man that is considered a genius is something that will eventually be explained. —What will be of the coach & student relationship between Yuuri and Victor?

In the anime it might look like Yuuri has stolen Victor from the world, but that’s actually Yuuri’s own idea. Why it was necessary for Victor to become Yuuri’s coach is something that will be depicted. They are a coach and a student, and also buddies. At first glance, sometimes it might look like Yuuri and Victor are flirting as they compete in tournaments, but I have my own idea that Yurio is the one passionately showing them that “this is a serious fight, you idiots!”. —Lastly, the theme of this issue is “Christmas”. Until what age do you think Yuuri, Victor and Yuri used to believe in Santa Claus?

I think Yuuri might have realized quite early that his parents were Santa Claus. His father is a bit of an airhead and might have not been good at hiding it (LOL). In Yurio’s case, it looks like his family environment might have been a little peculiar… Maybe Santa Claus never came to his house, so he told his grandpa “Doesn’t Santa Claus come to my place?” and his grandpa said “I’ll buy you a present”. I can picture them having a discussion like this. Victor might begin to say that he himself is Santa Claus (LOL). Or maybe he still believes in his existence. He’d say “Yuuri, have you never seen Santa Claus?” and Yuuri would look at him like “what is this guy saying?” (LOL).

[pkjd]

The latest key visual for the “Kimetsu no Yaiba” TV anime has been unveiled. LiSA will be performing the main theme song. More of the cast has also been revealed. Its broadcast will begin April 6th on Tokyo MX and other stations.

The first 5 episodes will also be receiving a limited screening via theaters on March 29th.

-Synopsis-

“Since ancient times, rumors have abounded of man-eating demons lurking in the woods. Because of this, the local townsfolk never venture outside at night. Legend has it that a demon slayer also roams the night, hunting down these bloodthirsty demons. For young Tanjirou, these rumors will soon to become his harsh reality… Ever since the death of his father, Tanjirou has taken it upon himself to support his family. Although their lives may be hardened by tragedy, they’ve found happiness. But that ephemeral warmth is shattered one day when Tanjirou finds his family slaughtered and the lone survivor, his sister Nezuko, turned into a demon. To his surprise, however, Nezuko still shows signs of human emotion and thought… Thus begins Tanjirou’s quest to fight demons and turn his sister human again.”

-Staff-

Director: Haruo Sotozaki

Character Design: Akira Matsushima

Directory of Photography: Yuuichi Terao

Editor: Manabu Kamino

Music: Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina

Studio: ufotable

-Cast-

Tanjirou Kamado (CV: Natsuki Hanae)

Nezuko Kamado (CV: Akari Kitou)

Zenitsu Agatsuma (CV: Hiro Shimono)

Inosuke Hashibira (CV: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)

Giyuu Tomioka (CV: Takahiro Sakurai)

Sakonji Urokodaki (CV: Houchou Ootsuka)

Sabito (CV: Yuki Kaji)

Makomo (CV: Ai Kakuma)

Genya (CV: Nobuhiko Okamoto)

Kagaya Tsubuyashiki (CV: Toshiyuki Morikawa)

Guide, Gray Hair (CV: Shiori Izawa)

Guide, Black Hair (CV: Aoi Yuuki)

Zuka Hagane (CV: Daisuke Namikawa)

Kasugai Garasu (CV: Takumi Yamazaki)

Odou no Oni (CV: Hikaru Midorikawa)

Teoni (CV: Takehito Koyasu)

[lucy-shining-star]

Just now seen on tv tropes(that’s so cute):

MAPPA producer for Yuri!!! on Ice, Manabu Ootsuka expressed thoughts in an interview that the reason why Yurio calls Yuri either "pig" or "pork cutlet bowl" is maybe because he's actually too shy to call him by his name.

[toraonice]

Yuri on Ice interview translation - Otomedia 2017/02 (p21)

Here’s the other interview with producer Manabu Otsuka from February’s Otomedia. This is from February so of course it's after the end of the series.

As I mentioned in the other post, Otsuka is a producer and also the current representative director of studio MAPPA, so he’s actually a very important guy. In other words, as long as he’s fine with more YOI we will get more YOI...

I know Otsuka from Shingeki no Bahamut Genesis, because he often appeared in the crazy staff live talk they had every week. I always had the impression that he is a nice guy who is open to challenges and lets creators fairly free to do what they wish, which in anime such as YOI is a good thing because it means that creators don’t have to fight against an army of narrow-minded higher-ups to make the story how they want it (though I think they still have to fight against sponsors, distributors etc..). Yamamoto and Kubo would probably have had a much harder time making YOI if they had teamed up with a more old-fashioned anime studio.

As most of the anime staff, Otsuka didn’t really create the story of YOI, he just managed the team that animated it, that’s why often speaks with “it’s my opinion” “I think that” etc.

***If you wish to share this translation please do it by reblogging or posting a link to it*** 
***Re-translating into other languages is ok but please mention that this post is the source***

MAPPA producer Manabu Otsuka interview The story of the two continues after the Grand Prix Final

—Let us know how you feel now that the last episode aired.

In the last episode Victor decided to go back to competing and Yuuri decided to continue. I feel that (Mitsurou) Kubo-san and director (Sayo) Yamamoto-san were able to successfully depict the progress and final destination of their relationship of coach and student, as well as the theme of this work, which is “love”, bringing everything to a beautiful conclusion. —Was it decided from the start that Yuuri would place 2nd in the Grand Prix Final?

Yes. When I received the plan of the story until the last episode, it had Yurio (Yuri Plisetsky) as the winner. I think that, from the start, the story of Yuuri and the other figure skaters was portrayed as something that was going to continue even after the Grand Prix Final. If Yuuri had won he might have chosen to retire this season. —Were there any other alternative plans for the ending?

Kubo-san and director Yamamoto might have discussed other plans between themselves, but the production staff only knew the current ending. The way we portrayed the exhibition changed from the original plan, but I think that this version with Victor barging in on Yuuri’s exhibition and the story ending with the two of them was probably the best option. —Why do you think Victor decided to go back to competing?

Victor has been winning all this time with his overwhelming strength and has always surprised the audience, but I think that he might have gotten into a slump because he didn’t know what to do next. Just at that time, at the banquet of last year’s Grand Prix Final, Yuuri told him “become my coach”. This is just my imagination, but I think Victor might have seen it as an occasion for he himself to change. After that he becomes Yuuri’s coach and they fight together, and I think that Yuuri kept on surprising Victor. As they spend time together not only in tournaments but in their private life too, Victor is attracted by Yuuri and is influenced by him. Unlike when he was always winning alone, the influence of another person caused something inside him to change, and I think he might have become curious to know what kind of performance this new himself was capable of and how he could fight against the other skaters. Of course it’s just my personal opinion. —So this change led him to return to competing.

In the Grand Prix Final we are also shown how both his personal best scores in the short program and free skating were surpassed by the two Yuris, and he can’t just stay there twiddling his thumbs as the others surpass him. Also, in episode 11 we see Victor watching the other skaters’ performances, and of course I don’t think his feelings are that simple, but Yuuri takes it as “see, Victor wants to skate again after all” and “I’m the one who is stopping him from doing that”, so at the beginning of episode 12 he tries to set Victor free. —So you are saying that he didn’t decide to retire just because of his physical limits.

Yes. And I also believe that Victor’s return to competition might have stopped Yuuri from retiring. —I had the impression that Yurio’s free skating in episode 12 also had a strong role in stopping Yuuri’s retirement.

I do think that Victor himself and his choice were one of the ultimate reasons causing Yuuri to change his mind about retiring, but at the same time, on a different level, Yurio as an athlete showed him how earnestly he wanted to win against him. I think that power affected Yuuri’s feelings as a figure skater and made him decide to continue competing. Love and bonds with people are portrayed through his relationship with Victor, and the spirit of an athlete and the importance of keeping a strong motivation are portrayed through Yurio. I felt that the way the story is structured with Yurio, who is the youngest one, fiercely representing the essence of an athlete and confronting the adults, was very cleverly thought. —What do you think about Jean-Jacques Leroy (JJ), who placed 3rd in the Grand Prix Final?

He’s a character I really like. He was overwhelmingly strong ever since he appeared, has a crazy personality and many things about him are more definite than other characters. He says he’s “the king” and delivers. I think that JJ’s collapse increased the tension of the Grand Prix Final. I felt that he had the role of making the audience think “What will happen to Yuuri and Yurio?”, “What will be the results?”. As someone on the creators’ side I was also happy that in the end he was able to rank 3rd overall (LOL). —It’s amazing that he could recover in the free skating.

I was moved watching him, because unlike the previous JJ, this time he was suffering and struggling to achieve good results. In any sport it always leaves a strong impression when someone is able to overcome adversity, and depicting this through JJ’s development was a good thing for this work as a sport anime. —From episode 10 we have Otabek too.

Otabek is an athlete who pursues strength as a competitor. He stoically endeavors to become stronger to win competitions. This personality also makes him lonely, and I think that’s why he became friends with Yurio. Yurio has Yakov, Lilia and the others, but I was happy to see that he could finally find a fellow athlete who shared the same loneliness. —Regarding Yuuri and Victor, how do you interpret their relationship over the course of the whole anime?

This is just my opinion, but I think that for the two of them the relationship of coach and student is just the surface. It looks as if Victor showed up and saved Yuuri from a crisis, but at the same time Victor needs Yuuri too. Yuuri has fallen to the very bottom and Victor has lost sight of something. They meet when they are both going through a difficult phase and need to change something, they complement each other and go further ahead. Yuuri said “this feeling doesn’t have a name”, and I really think their relationship is just like that. It’s surely beautiful to call it “love”, but I think that it goes even beyond that; it’s a relationship where they motivate each other to go in a better direction. —Every episode had a big response, but do you think in episode 10 it was particularly impressive?

I felt that Kubo-san and director Yamamoto, just like Victor, like to always surprise the audience. And they even set a series of surprises in a row. Showing something clearly can be scary because some people might not be impressed by it, but it’s amazing how they still pushed forward without hesitation (LOL). However, I think that the aggressive stance of this work is what helped it reach the hearts of many people. I personally felt that episode 10 was the culmination of that. It was full of thrills. —Many people are already hoping for a sequel. What are the current plans for the future?

I think that Kubo-san and director Yamamoto want to continue as long as they can, and there are probably lots of things that they want to portray. If they wish so, the company and I will be glad to work on it as we’ve done so far (LOL).

[pkjd]

“Kimetsu no Yaiba” anime PV2 featuring the opening music theme「 Guren Hana 」by LiSA. Broadcast starts April 6th.

-Synopsis-

“Since ancient times, rumors have abounded of man-eating demons lurking in the woods. Because of this, the local townsfolk never venture outside at night. Legend has it that a demon slayer also roams the night, hunting down these bloodthirsty demons. For young Tanjirou, these rumors will soon to become his harsh reality… Ever since the death of his father, Tanjirou has taken it upon himself to support his family. Although their lives may be hardened by tragedy, they’ve found happiness. But that ephemeral warmth is shattered one day when Tanjirou finds his family slaughtered and the lone survivor, his sister Nezuko, turned into a demon. To his surprise, however, Nezuko still shows signs of human emotion and thought… Thus begins Tanjirou’s quest to fight demons and turn his sister human again.”

-Staff-

Director: Haruo Sotozaki

Character Design: Akira Matsushima

Directory of Photography: Yuuichi Terao

Editor: Manabu Kamino

Music: Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina

Website: https://kimetsu.com/

Studio: ufotable

-Cast-

Tanjirou Kamado (CV: Natsuki Hanae)

Nezuko Kamado (CV: Akari Kitou)

Zenitsu Agatsuma (CV: Hiro Shimono)

Inosuke Hashibira (CV: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)

Giyuu Tomioka (CV: Takahiro Sakurai)

Sakonji Urokodaki (CV: Houchou Ootsuka)

Sabito (CV: Yuki Kaji)

Makomo (CV: Ai Kakuma)

Genya (CV: Nobuhiko Okamoto)

Kagaya Tsubuyashiki (CV: Toshiyuki Morikawa)

Guide, Gray Hair (CV: Shiori Izawa)

Guide, Black Hair (CV: Aoi Yuuki)

Zuka Hagane (CV: Daisuke Namikawa)

Kasugai Garasu (CV: Takumi Yamazaki)

Odou no Oni (CV: Hikaru Midorikawa)

Teoni (CV: Takehito Koyasu)