“CHERRY AND VIRGIN” Director Masayoshi Kawajiri x Producer Sato Aiming for A24 in anime! [Director's Interview Vol.129]

Encountering director Keiichi Hara's work, he embarked on the path of anime.

Q: I heard that you became interested in anime because of the influence of director Keiichi Hara.

Kawajiri: At the time, `` Crayon Shin-chan: Calling the Storm Moretsu! The Adult Empire Strikes Back '' (01) was a hot topic among anime fans. For me, the subsequent film `` Summer Vacation with Ku Kappa '' (2007) was huge. I was really drawn to the fact that the anime depicts the main character's act of betrayal, or rather his ``no longer being able to remain pure'' in a story similar to `` ET .'' I felt that there was still a lot that anime could do compared to live-action, so I decided to pursue a career in animation.

Q: After that, you will move on to the animation course in the Department of Film and New Media at Osaka University of Arts. Why did you decide to study at university rather than in the field?

Kawajiri: Of course, some of our alumni were from Gainax, and director Atsuhiro Yamashita was there, but compared to Tokyo University of the Arts or Nichigei, the standard score is lower (lol). Anyone can apply for a personal nomination because it just involves drawing one storyboard...

Sato: That won't happen (lol). The magnification is high.

Kawajiri: No (lol). As long as you don't give up on the assignment midway through, I think you'll pass (lol).

I was told to go to university, so I wanted to do anime and this was the only place I could go.

Left: Current producer Sato, right: Director Masayoshi Kawajiri "CHERRY AND VIRGIN"

Q: However, at the age of 25, you experienced directing the anime `` Stella Jogakuin High School C3 Division '' (13). It looks like you've had a very successful career...

Kawajiri: Speaking of company culture, Gainax had selected young people before the age of 30 in their previous work, and there was talk that the upper management was crazy on set, but well, members from the company's founding, such as Hiroyuki Yamaga, I think that's partly because I started working as a director in my 20s. (Laughs) However, although it was great to be selected, I couldn't really do anything, and I was under a lot of pressure at meetings...

Q: I read an article that looks back on those days and says, ``I threw up every day.''

Kawajiri: I simply wasn't strong enough. My impression of my 20s is that I wasted a lot of Being There.

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