The “challenge” of making “Jose, the Tiger and the Fish” into an animated film. Director Kotaro Tamura talks like this [Director's Interview Vol.101]

``Jose, the Tiger, and the Fish '' (2003) has established itself as a masterpiece of Japanese cinema from the 2000s. The original novel by Seiko Tanabe will be made into an animated film with original developments. I'm sure many of you were wondering, "What kind of story is this going to be?"

The director is Kotaro Tamura, who was the assistant director of ``Wolf Children '' (2012), the director of the `` Noragami '' series, and the opening video for `` Bungo Stray Dogs .'' The screenplay was written by Sayaka Kuwamura, a master of romantic dramas who also worked on Runway (2020), and the character designs were from Maidens of the Savage Season. ” Nao Emoto is in charge. The animation will be produced by Bones, a popular studio that has garnered attention for its TV anime adaptations of `` My Hero Academia '' and `` Godzilla .''

The animated film ``Jose, the Tiger and the Fish'' (to be released on December 25th), created by a group of talented members, has been reborn as a truly dramatic and emotional love story, while still retaining the essence of the original work. This is a high-quality work in every way, with mesmerizingly vivid color expressions, detailed drawings, and beautiful expressions of movement.

©2020 Seiko Tanabe/ KADOKAWA/ Josee Project

Tsuneo (Taishi Nakagawa), a university student, has a fateful encounter with Jose (Kaya Kiyohara), a woman in a wheelchair. Although Tsuneo is at the mercy of the foul-mouthed and selfish Josee, he is drawn to her innocent charm. And Jose, wrapped in Tsuneo's kindness, begins to have the courage to venture out into the "outside world".

In 2020, due to the effects of the new coronavirus, we felt both the fear of going outside and the warmth of people. Unexpectedly, this work has a gentle and sincere theme that is in keeping with the times. However, director Tamura, who created this beloved work, was a logical intellectual.

``As I was reading through the novels prepared by the producer, ``Josée, the Tiger, and the Fish'' was the one that struck me.''His methodical way of speaking shows that he has a solid theatrical technique. The anime version's unique "aim" becomes clear.

Index

• I became interested in anime production after watching “Neon Genesis Evangelion”
• Even in serious scenes, I don't want to give up on color expression.
• “Encounter” scene by “Bungo Stray Dogs” staff
• The shelf life of video works is limited to 10 years.
• Appointing actors to create a presence that you can relate to
• What is "the way to be a director" in the current anime industry?

I became interested in anime production after watching “Neon Genesis Evangelion”

Q: ``Jose, the Tiger and the Fish'' is a very imaginative and heartwarming work.

Tamra: Thank you!

Q: Director Tamra, what kind of works influenced you to pursue a career in the anime industry?

Tamra: We were a household that listened to NHK all the time. For this reason, I watched most of the anime broadcast on NHK Educational, but I was particularly drawn to the work `` Yadamon '' (1992-93).

Even though this is being aired in a slot aimed at children, the story in the second half becomes more intense and hard to believe that it is aimed at children (lol). At first it was a fun story about witches, but as it progresses towards the end, it becomes more and more serious, and it becomes a very serious story that makes you wonder, ``Can this be aired on NHK Education?'' As I was watching it, I first started to think, ``Animation is interesting.''

However, at that time, I didn't know the details of animation yet. That was around 6th grade in elementary school or 1st grade in junior high school. Then, when Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-96) came out and creators were featured, it became clear to me that there was a path to becoming an animation creator.

©2020 Seiko Tanabe/ KADOKAWA/ Josee Project

Q: So your dreams have become clearer in response to changes in the times.

Tamura: However, at that time, I didn't think that my goal was to become an anime director. My friends were like that, too, but kids always write, ``My dream is to become a manga artist.'' I thought, ``It would be easy if I could do something fun and earn money every day'' (lol).

Nowadays, I realize, ``What a simple idea! Being a manga artist is a very demanding job.'' But at the time, I thought, ``I do this job because drawing is fun.'' I want to do that. I wish I could make something interesting.'' I still didn't really feel the reality of creating animation, and at that time I really wanted to become a manga artist.

However, by the time I entered high school, my focus had already shifted to videos rather than manga. I liked the unique world that was expressed through music and movement, and looking back, I was also a child who had images flowing in my head and fantasizing about animation.

Even in serious scenes, I don't want to give up on color expression.