Abstract

A legendary figure in the history of Japanese animation, Yasuo Otsuka.

This long-form interview book featuring the renowned animator who discovered and supported up-and-coming directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki in their early days—and who first animated Lupin in the original Lupin the Third—returns at last in a brand-new edition!

Otsuka, rightly hailed as a legend, played a key role in the evolution of Japanese animation across five decades. At Toei Animation, he recognized the talents of Takahata and Miyazaki early on and strongly supported them. His major contributions include serving as animation director on classic titles such as The Little Norse Prince (1968), Lupin the Third (1971–72), Future Boy Conan (1978), and The Castle of Cagliostro (1979). Known for his deep commitment to "moving drawings," Otsuka was beloved for his generous and cheerful personality until his passing in 2021 at the age of 89.

This book is the only comprehensive interview with Otsuka, conducted over five years. In it, he shares candid insights into the making of his films and TV works, his profound relationships with Takahata and Miyazaki, the inner workings of animation studios, and the changing times and people within the industry. Interviewed by film scholar Yuki Mori, author of The Complete Films of Kon Ichikawa.

First published in 2006 to great acclaim across various fields, the book had become hard to find—but now it returns in a long-awaited new edition from Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, featuring a redesigned cover and layout, newly added rare illustrations and photographs, and special contributions by director Masaaki Osumi, director Mamoru Oshii, and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki.

A must-read for anime fans, film lovers, and fans of postwar and Heisei-era culture!

[Contents]

New color frontispiece and chapter title pages

Chapter 1: The Role of Animation Director

Chapter 2: The Art of Movement

Chapter 3: Toei Animation and The Little Norse Prince

Chapter 4: A Pro, Conan, Telecom

Chapter 5: A Long Relationship with Lupin

Chapter 6: Various Directors

Chapter 7: Inside the Animation Studio

Final Chapter: The Future of Animation

Special Contributions: Masaaki Osumi, Mamoru Oshii, Toshio Suzuki

Author’s Information

Yasuo Otsuk (1931–2021)
Born in Shimane Prefecture. Animator. Joined Toei Animation and contributed to Japan’s first full-length color animated feature, The Tale of the White Serpent (1958). Played a key role in many of the studio's early classics, including The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon, The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun, and The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots, working alongside Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, and Yōichi Kotabe. Served as animation director for works such as Moomin, Lupin the Third (first series), Panda! Go, Panda! (two-part film), and Samurai Giants at A Production; Future Boy Conan at Nippon Animation; and Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro and Jarinko Chie at Telecom Animation Film. Passionate about nurturing young animators and contributed to the founding of Studio Ghibli. A fan of FIAT 500s, Jeeps, trucks, and model making. Author of several books, including Sakuga Asemamire (1981, revised editions in 2001 and 2013) and The Jeep Came to Town (2002).

Yuki Mori (Born in 1960)
Film scholar and book editor. Co-authored The Complete Works of Kon Ichikawa’s Films (2015) with director Kon Ichikawa, and Light and Lies, Truth and Shadows (2001) with Makoto Wada. Planned and produced the first DVD release of Yasuo Ōtsuka’s directorial debut Steppe Boy Tenguri (1977/2007) and the first Blu-ray release of the ambitious live-action/animation hybrid Phoenix (1978/2021). Has worked on numerous publications, including Galaxy Express 999: Storyboard Collection (2019), The Ghost Ship / Flying Phantom Ship: Complete Edition (2020), Toshio Suzuki’s Ghibli Asemamire Vol.1–5 (2013–2016), Toshio Suzuki × Mamoru Oshii: Saredo Warera ga Hibi (2024), and Ocean Waves: The Visual Collection (2024).