Makeine: Too many shedding heroines! Interview with director Shotaro Kitamura

Which woman gained your coronary heart this summer time?

Let’s have a look again on the heroines who coloured the summer time with their distinctive “kawaii” type!

We requested the director what charms the characters have and the way they categorical their cuteness!

Interview with director Shotaro Kitamura

Shotaro Kitamura: anime director and supervisor. Notable works embrace Kaguya-sama: Love is battle -The primary kiss that by no means ends- (storyboard artist and supervisor), To overhaul! (storyboard artist and supervisor), amongst others. This challenge is his directorial debut.

Picture of a summer time stuffed with heartbreak,
And bringing everybody’s reminiscences to the floor.

──Please inform us your first impression of Makeine: Too many shedding heroines!

Kitamura: I learn the unique novels for the primary time after speaking to him A-1 Photos. By way of this, I discovered that it had deep characters in addition to a singular perspective not typically present in novels, so I discovered it fairly fascinating. Earlier than studying it, I puzzled why I used to be requested to work on such a cute, girly sequence, regardless of dramas being my specialty. However as soon as I learn it, I shortly understood.

──That is your first time directing a sequence. What strategy did you are taking for this?

Kitamura: My perspective on issues remained largely unchanged from once I was storyboarding and supervising particular person episodes, however above all I attempted to create one thing that resonated with the viewers. After I work on storyboarding or supervision, I haven’t got to provide you with the story myself, however I exploit the situation given to me to resolve how issues would look and the way folks would really feel. Subsequently, this time, as a director, I imagined how I would really like viewers to really feel after watching the sequence, after which determined to find out varied facets of it, together with the storyline itself.

──This text initially revealed in Month-to-month New sortoptions an unique illustration by Lemon Yakishio. What do you consider the story’s distinctive heroines corresponding to Lemon, Anna Yanami and Chika Komari?

Kitamura: I must suggest episode two to anybody who loves Lemon. I just like the scene the place Kazuhiko Nukumizu pushes her down. Due to our character designer and lead animation director Tetsuya Kawakami‘s abilities, her ensuing facial expressions as she fell, got here by brilliantly. In the meantime, Yanami is lovable with how animated her expressions may be. I would like folks to assume, “What’s incorrect along with her!?” once they see her comedic entrance. Lastly, Komari is totally different from the opposite heroines as a result of she takes a brand new step ahead in her life after ending her relationship on her personal. I would really like the viewers to pay attention to her efforts. Additionally look out for episodes that do not revolve round love!

──The Makeine anime is exclusive in that it options plenty of ‘shedding heroines’, however it’s basically a romantic comedy. What was it wish to compose such a narrative along with the screenwriter? Masahiro Yokotani?

Kitamura: There are undoubtedly some critical moments, however as a result of it is a romantic comedy, we tried to make it one thing that finally makes you chortle. This has been our coverage, not just for every particular person episode, however for the sequence as a complete. Subsequently, to make sure that the viewers turns into connected to the characters, we determined to concentrate on the relationships between them. Yokotani helped immensely in growing a storyline that might delve deeply into every heroine’s story, making certain that particular person episodes had some kind of conclusion and by no means felt half-baked. Furthermore, as a director I at all times considered how I might painting a sort of cheerful nostalgia.

──Is that cheerful nostalgia one thing you take into consideration when portraying the characters?

Kitamura: There are two necessary issues we take into account. The primary is that the characters are offered in such a manner that they stick within the viewer’s reminiscence. MakeineThe story of Yanami, Lemon and Komari begins with heartbreak for the solid of heroines, however the best way Yanami, Lemon and Komari expertise it differs. They’re portrayed in such a manner that viewers can empathize with the best way they overcome their heartbreak and due to this fact help them even additional. The second most important level we’ll take into account is our portrayal of a “Toyohashi Summer time,” which we hope may also convey again reminiscences of summers previous for viewers. After all, there are individuals who have not had the identical experiences because the heroines, however at the very least everybody has skilled the summer time (laughs). Along with the duo answerable for our visible board, we tightened our course to make it clear at a look that summer time can be the stage for this story.

──So that is the sort of work that Aoi Otani And Keigo Ariharawho’re mentioned to have labored on the visible board did.

Kitamura: Earlier than we went to Toyohashi for location scouting, we had discussions about what a Japanese summer time entails, and we did just a few issues on high of that. Primarily based on the images we took throughout our exploratory visits, we found by trial and error how precisely to painting summer time within the anime. We mentioned with our artwork director how greatest to attract the backgrounds, Yuki Hatakeyamautilizing the visible board we developed along with them.

──Lighting in school rooms and different buildings is stored considerably dim. Was that additionally accomplished to evoke the summer time environment?

Kitamura: Sure. With the visible board as a foundation, we had plenty of lengthy conversations with our photographers and coloration designers about issues. According to the route we have been going, I additionally requested our character designer Kawakami to take the silhouettes of the characters under consideration upfront when engaged on the characters. Moreover, I requested that he not change a lot from their unique designs, to maintain the viewer’s first impressions in line Imigimuru‘s illustrations, and that he makes positive their designs work for each comedy and drama. On the manufacturing facet, the three most important animators oversaw the heavier cuts: Takumitsu Miuraadept at making fascinating strikes; Akane Takedawho confirmed a terrific ardour for the characters; And Mirai Harashimaour all-rounder who put plenty of work into the household restaurant scene in episode one. Everybody was absolutely concerned in making this challenge occur.

──What do you assume was notably tough concerning the manufacturing?

Kitamura: I would say it was Kazuhiko Nukumizu. Usually, the protagonist of a romantic comedy finally ends up with one of many heroines, however that isn’t the case with him as he’s merely an observer of shedding heroines. I feel I actually took that to coronary heart when creating the storyboards for episode one, as a result of I feel the plotting of the present would have been minimize in half if that hadn’t been made clear from the start.

──The connection between Nukumizu and Yanami developed somewhat additional in episode 4.

Kitamura: To this point, Nukumizu had been exterior, however there was a scene the place he obtained one thing from one of many heroines. I constructed these storyboards with the concept the viewer would have the ability to empathize with him and on the similar time see Yanami’s attraction.

──Which scene would you most like viewers to rewatch?

Kitamura: It must be the sparkler scene from episode 4. Yohei Miyawakiour Director of Images, helped create this scene, which I feel actually highlights the fantastic thing about the results used on this challenge. The backgrounds in that episode have been additionally lovely, so I would like followers to observe this repeatedly!

──Is there something you need viewers to pay particular consideration to from episode 5?

Kitamura: Every heroine might be explored in additional depth, taking into consideration their relationships with Nukumizu so far. The story will proceed to unfold in impactful methods, so it may be enjoyable to rewatch every part from the primary episode and put your self in Nukumizu’s footwear! Moreover, I hope that you’ll all proceed to help the heroines of this story!

Makeine: Too many shedding heroines!
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This interview initially appeared in New sortthe September 2024 situation.

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