This past weekend was held in Granada on Ficzone , and on this occasion was attended by Kazuki Akane , director in our country especially known for his work on The Vision of Escaflowne , and other work as Birdy the Mighty , Noein or the recent OVA of Code Geass : Akito the Exiled . We could have a chat with him , in which we talked about his beginnings , his work in Escaflowne , its step by Sunrise and has given us an interesting point of view about fansubs . Hope you enjoy .
What can you tell of his early playing minor positions in works like Bio Armor Ryger , Dragon Warrior or Ronin Warriors ?
All these series I made as co -director, and really did what I asked , not really what I wanted to do, but something needed in the production process. They were jobs I did and then to level up. Get higher power depended on my results in this series .
Years later Escaflowne directorial debut , what comes to the project? Can we speak of him as the great leap of his career ?
As I said , thanks to all the work previously carried out because the producer had liked my Escaflowne action scenes and battle scenes required a level , got the job. And yes , of course , since I moved pretty Escaflowne things for me.
" Escaflowne The first designs were normal robots , I thought that was not as interesting and I really like the samurai , I wanted to introduce the features of these robots"
The series, in fact, is very popular in the West.
Since the end of the broadcast of the series in Japan , two years after I saw it began to translate the series into Spanish , Portuguese, Italian ... And I said I thought so , that the series was succeeding .
4 Interview kazuki akane interview Kazuki Akane , director of Escaflowne
One of the things Escaflowne characteristics are mechanical designs . How did you participate in the production process of these?
Escaflowne The first designs were normal robots , I thought that it was interesting, and as I really like the samurai , I wanted to introduce the features of these robots, like armor and cloaks , mixed together with the shape of the Knights of the series . As I thought that to date had never done anything like that , that's why I designed the robots in this way.
While he has held various positions as director , resume see numerous works by the storyboard , what enjoy most?
I prefer to work as a director, because I like to have control of everything, like the sound , plot, everything. I prefer it to a storyboard mainly because I think the sound is very important , a storyboard only paper, and also as a director is also part of my job to supervise .
" The preparations for the OVA of Code Geass have taken between one and a half to two years "
After Escaflowne would see as a director in Heat Guy J , what perceived differences between what was his first project and this second time ?
After I was doing well Geneshaft Escaflowne , and both this and in Heat Guy J had to use a lot of 3D animation , because the company that made these picture Satelight was originally a 3D animation studio .
So basically this was the difference , having to know how to handle you to enter the 3D in the series, being one of the first jobs that are beginning to use this technique , as seen in robots Heat Guy J.
What leads you to engage in the role of a heroine as Birdy the Mighty ? Starting from the 1996 OVA , how to adapt the series back to anime?
The mangaka who made the original manga , Masami Yuuki , liked my work in Noein , and wanted me to do the anime.
Moreover, when he left the 1996 OVA was when he was with Escaflowne , and the director of the OVA , Yoshiaki Kawajiri , ten years older than me , but did not know it was like my senior , and I really liked their work. So when I had to take care of the series had a bit of pressure in the sense that my senpai had done well and I wanted to keep up .
kazuki akane interview Interview with Kazuki Akane , director of Escaflowne
It has been several years between Birdy and his latest, Code Geass : Akito the Exiled . Why should this period of inactivity by Kazuki Akane ?
It is because I have been engaged in the planning and all the preparations for the OVA of Code Geass , which took between one and a half to two years. We had to change quite a storyboard , and even with him before we had to make arrangements . So I have not been truly " inactive" ( laughs).
"In the second OVA of Code Geass will be a gift for those who saw the television series "
What has it meant for you to engage in a project of the Code Geass franchise ? What can you tell us about the upcoming OVA ?
I had a lot of pressure because it is a popular franchise and this is why the preparation has taken quite a while . As for the second OVA , there will be a gift for those who watched the TV series , is all that I can say ( laughs).
And between his early work and this OVA , what differences have you noticed in the way we work and animation in general in Japan ?
The change that has occurred seems natural to go changing the way we work in the anime. For example , 15 years ago I did not realize the fact of introducing 3D in the anime as it is now , but already Escaflowne incorporate something, but very little in comparison.
Going back to evolution, it seems good to be changing, in fact I think I will continue doing. Also , right now are creating new techniques, and I think this year is going to be important in this regard, the general way of doing things in the anime.
3 Interview kazuki akane interview Kazuki Akane , director of Escaflowne
We could say that Sunrise is one of his favorite studies , how is it working there? What is your work routine ?
Ten years have passed since I started in Sunrise, now I'm back with the OVA of Code Geass , and at first I had the feeling of playing in the "field goal " , as if it were a sport. I went to Sunrise and I worked in other studies, and now I'm back , but as I have over two years involved in the OVA , I really feel like home.
The truth is that I have a particular routine because I do many things , such as checking what everyone else in the study in terms of script, storyboards, I meet with leaders and my superiors ... I have a set routine .
The director is working very hard , facing the producer I can not rest , it is shameful to do so.
" I think this year is going to be important in this regard , in the general way of doing things in the anime"
On more than one occasion has declared his interest in the works of Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki , how his work has influenced two directors of styles and works so different?
Yes, these directors have had much influence on me even being different . As a student I saw many films of Kurosawa , and for instance , in Escaflowne , battle scenes and even the samurai theme that I mentioned earlier, are directly influenced by these films. Similarly Miyazaki has influenced me , and I would get as close as possible to your work , it's like my ideal within the world of animation .
Shinichiro Watanabe has worked with on a couple of occasions in the storyboard, with Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop , how is it working with him?
Sunrise We entered the same year as Watanabe has been an anime director called me to do some work , like me if I needed it when I was with some anime I've helped out . I greatly respect and admire your work . But our relationship is not contrary , but at the same level , as friends who go out drinking together.
Do you plan to participate in any of your upcoming projects ?
In principle I have no plan to return to work with, now we're just going to drink together ( laughs).
kazuki interview Interview with Kazuki Akane akane1 , director of Escaflowne
We have seen that has participated in several projects of Gundam and is quite familiar with the series, what do you think the franchise?
Yes I have long loved , but now is a series so long that I'm tired . Besides, I like the challenges of producing new things, not follow something for so long.
Sorry if you had another vision of Gundam (laughs ) .
In an interview said he was interested in making a sequel to Noein , is there any news on this?
Yes , I would like to make a sequel , set in the same world , but not with the same characters. But surely I would not do, because no money or any interested producer .
"Because Internet is too fansubs ranking and will not help to publicize minority works that do not enjoy such success in Japan "
What projects we see coming with the seal of Kazuki Akane ? How would a remake of Escaflowne ?
Right now I have no plans to do anything , nothing is spoken. But in my head I have other things I want to do, and after coming to Granada think I can serve as inspiration for a new work. But for now, until I finish the OVA of Code Geass I can not start with something else.
I think with the new techniques of animation would be nice to see a remake of Escaflowne , but I prefer to leave it as is . The original may be outdated, but I think they did very well at the time and not to change it.
Finally , what is your opinion of the fansubs and how do they affect the industry?
Of course I want to make good sales, but on the other hand I like that people can see the work , and I'm glad of it, but what I do not like is that there is too much information online .
In the case of Escaflowne , in Japan not as successful , but overseas yes, and today the successful anime in Japan are the only people you see outside . Because Internet is too fansubs ranking and will not help to publicize minority works that do not enjoy such success in Japan .
