• +

●DESIGN SUPERVISION● NHK SPECIAL TOKYO REBORN



Katsuhiro Otomo has been involved as design supervisor of the title image of the upcoming NHK documentary series about the evolution of Tokyo titled NHK SPECIALl TOKYO REBORN (ＮＨＫスペシャル シリーズ「東京リボーン」). To be broadcasted over the course of two years from December this year, the series is a large-scale program that depicts the evolution and reproduction of Tokyo under the view of the world of "AKIRA". Shoji Yamashiro the original composer of AKIRA soundtrack  is in charge of the theme music of the program.

The first episode titled "Challenge to the Bay Area Futuristic City" will be broadcasted on December 23rd at 9 pm in Japan. In the official announce website a 2-minute video was published as well as some comments by Katsuhiro Otomo and Shoji Yamashiro.

Official site: http://www6.nhk.or.jp/nhkpr/post/original.html?i=17044

NHK posted the opening in their YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/8ttEulEkYbE

Ad by AA&NN Ltd.

●ILLUSTRATION● FLYINGDOG 10th Anniversary


Katsuhiro Otomo has created one of the images that will be sold as a t-shirt to celebrate the FLYINGDOG 10th Anniversary LIVE - DOG FESTIVAL (FlyingDog：10周年記念‐犬フェス‐). This event held by FlyingDog, an animation video/music label will take place on February 2, 2019 at the main arena of MUSASHINO NO MORI GENERAL SPORTS PLAZA  (武蔵野の森総合スポーツプラザ) in Tokyo, Japan. Other manga artists such as Shōji Kawamori (河森正治), CLAMP and Range Murata (村田蓮爾)  have collaborated with their respective designs.

The T-shirt retails for  ¥3.500 and is on sale online on SevenNet in various sizes ExtraLarge, Large  and Medium. Designed by the longtime Otomo collaborator Toshiaki Uesugi.
Ad by AA&NN Ltd.

●INTERVIEW● KINO ROTTERDAM



KINO ROTTERDAM has screened AKIRA inside its TOKYO STORIES series and this interview was shown before every screening of the film. The interview was done when Otomo visited the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen for the INSIDE BABEL exhibition.


Interview by Tom Mes
Q: It is the 30th anniversary of AKIRA

A:AKIRA? Thirty years old? I am very pleased that it is still so popular after thirty years. But for me it's a closed project. But despite the fact that it is a closed project... I made a manga from the story. I made an anime, so it's closed for me. But I am still being asked for projects related to the film AKIRA. That still surprises me and makes me proud too.

Q: And an AKIRA 2?

A: Part 2? People talk about it. But I can't say anything about it.

Q: Can you tell something about the animation process? It is such a beautifully detailed work of art. And specifically about the design of Neo-Tokyo.

A: I created the city based on what I have seen. I live in Tokyo myself, but I've been to New York and Paris. I have translated all those things that I have seen into animation. In addition, the weapons and motor, for example, I based on things that were on my desk. I have linked different things together and that's how things came about.

Q: The film is very futuristic but the story and the characters are influenced by the politics and society of the sixties. Does the contemporary social and political climate, both in Japan and across the world, have an impact on you and your work?

A: It is a very different political climate at the moment than if I had made AKIRA. There were other things going on then. The global situation will always have an impact on my work.
Ad by AA&NN Ltd.

●SIGNATURE●


●INTERVIEW● GQ JAPAN + Grand Seiko



GQ JAPAN and Grand Seiko are running a series of promotional interviews with professionals of a variety of mediums about how they see the Grand Seiko watches. Katsuhiro Otomo was interviewed in his studio where he is working on a new manga. You can read the interview in Japanese in its entirety in the official site: https://gqjapan.jp/special/grand-seiko2018/interview07

●INTERVIEW● MEMORY OF THE BIG



Shogakukan's Big Comic (ビッグコミック) magazine is celebrating its 50th anniversary and in this issue continues with a series of interviews as a celebration. In this 22nd chapter, Katsuhiro Otomo talks about his thoughts on Big Comic and the influence from Tetsuya Chiba (ちばてつや). The magazine is also celebrating the BIG COMIC 50th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION (ビッグコミック50周年展) in Kanagawa, Kawasaki city civic museum open until January 14, 2019.

MAGAZINE DETAILS
Publisher: Shogakukan (小学館)
Release date: 2018-XI-10
Language: Japanese
Number of pages:
Size: 25.8 x 18 x 1.6 cm
Retail price: ¥370


Available in Amazon JP:

●E-BOOK● BOKURA WA YUKAINA HŌMON-SHA (僕等は愉快な訪問者)



Tadashi Matsumori's  unpublished masterpiece short story, with Katsuhiro Otomo and Masaki Tsuji (辻真先) as original authors BOKURA WA YUKAINA HŌMON-SHA (僕等は愉快な訪問者), has been published in e-book format . The book also includes the first and second parts of NOBUNAGA (信長) (original work by Masaki Tsuji). Original color pages were recovered for this release.


E-BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Group Zero (グループ・ゼロ )
Release date: 2018-X-1
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 165
Size: e-book (106.7mb)
Retail price: ¥440

AVAILABILITY
Amazon Kindle JP: https://amzn.to/3NVY2QZ
Apple Books JP: https://apple.co/3NWpeij

●EVENT● HYPEFEST 2018: A.D.2019 AKIRA ART WALL CALENDAR


 

Katsuhiro Otomo and Kosuke Kawamura have attended the HYPEFEST celebrated on October 6-7, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. A limited edition AKIRA calendar for the 2019 calendar year was available at the event featuring the collages created by Kawamura with Otomo's AKIRA manga that were previously seen in the streets of Tokyo, as a mural covering the wall of SHIBUYA PARCO construction site. 


The  “A.D.2019 AKIRA ART WALL CALENDAR” was available in the AKIRA ART PROJECT TYO/NYC AKIRA ART WALL installment, made in collaboration with GR8 and Gallery X by Parco. Originally sold at Hypefest in New York on October 6-7, The calendar came with an exclusive serial number, special packaging, and a bonus AKIRA sticker. One day later on October 8th it was released in a one-day sale event in  GALLERY X BY PARCO in Shibuya, Tokyo with a bonus Pin Badge.

CALENDAR DETAILS
Author: Katsuhiro Otomo
Design: Kosuke Kawamura
Release date: 2018-X-6
Quantity: 2019 (Limited edition with unique serial number)
Size: B0 (1030×1456mm)
Special Box Size: 1170×106×106mm
4C+Silver/ UV Coat
Price: ¥13,000




●TALK● KATSUHIRO OTOMO ✕ MASAAKI YUASA

A talk between Katsuhiro Otomo (大友克洋) and Masaaki Yuasa (湯浅政明) is collected in the book DARE MO SHIRANAI FUSHIGINA SEKAI (だれもしらないフシギな世界) that summarizes the work of japanese animator Masaaki Yuasa. The Amazon limited edition includes two illustration cards drawn by Yuasa.

BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Wani Books (ワニブックス)
Release date: 2018-VII-26
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 205
Size: 25.6 x 18.4 x 1.4 cm
Retail price: ￥3,600
ISBN-10: 4847038878
ISBN-13: 978-4847038877

Amazon limited edition:
ISBN-10: 4847038916
ISBN-13: 978-4847038914

AVAILABILITY
Amazon JP: https://amzn.to/2v4q8PN
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2XxZRab
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2TaL1aP
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2BXzAsA
Amazon DE: https://amzn.to/2C15wMD
Amazon FR: https://amzn.to/2VwZ2fP
Amazon IT: https://amzn.to/2Vpc9zI
Amazon ES: https://amzn.to/3jv6Hca

●PRESS● AKIRA 30th anniversary in La Vanguardia






















La Vanguardia newspaper has published a double page report accompanied with a detailed diagram of the events that took place in Neo-Tokyo, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of  the release of the animated film AKIRA.


NEWSPAPER DETAILS
Publisher: Grupo Godó
Release date: 2018-VII-15
Language: Spanish and Catalá
Number of pages:-
Size:-
Retail price: 2.5€

●ILLUSTRATION● NIGE (逃げ)



Katsuhiro Otomo has illustrated the cover of the bunko or pocket edition of Takashi Sato's (佐藤 喬) novel, NIGE 2014-NEN ZEN NIHON SENSHUKEN RŌDOR̄ESU (逃げ 2014年全日本選手権ロードレース). The work is a non-fiction tracking the All-Japan Cycling Competition Championship Road Race held in June 2014 in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture.

BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Shogakukan (小学館)
Release date: 2018-VII-6
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 256
Size: 10.5 x 1.1 x 15 cm
Retail price: ¥616
ISBN-10: 4094065377
ISBN-13: 978-4094065374

●RADIO● AKIRA INFLUENCES w/Dr YAMASHIRO



Shoji Yamashiro has taken NTS radio airwaves to present a one-off show running through the musical influences and inspirations behind the soundtrack of AKIRA, Katsuhiro Otomo's animation film. Dr Yamashiro with his group of musicians known as GEINOH YAMASHIROGUMI created the music for Otomo's film over 30 years ago.
01. SERGEI PROKOFIEV | Death Of Tybalt
02. IGOR STRAVINSKY | The Rite Of Spring
03. CARL ORFF | Carmina Burana
04. THE PHILIP KOUTEV NATIONAL FOLK ENSEMBLE | Prituri Se Planinata (The Mountains)
05. MALE VOICE CHOIR OF MACHARADZE | Khasanbegura
06. GEINOH YAMASHIROGUMI | "Vocero 1 "From "12 Chants De L'île De Corse"
07. JAPANESE BUDDIST MONKS FROM TODAIJI TEMPLE | "Hougou" From "Omizutori" Ceremony
08. HISAO KANZE & SHIZUO KANZE | Hagoromo
09. MONKS OF THE GYUTO MONASTERY | Sangw Duepa Buddism Chants
10. GEINOH YAMASHIROGUMI | Mebasi
11. GEINOH YAMASHIROGUMI | Prayer Of "The Gerre"
12. "SMARA MADYA" OF PELIATAN VILLAGE | Kecak
13. SUPER GAMELAN GROUP "YAMA SARI" | Yama Sari

●SUPPORT● ILC PROJECT



Katsuhiro Otomo has joined the ILC supporters. International Linear Collider Project is the greatest science project in human history, reproducing on earth the moment of the birth of the universe. You can check other Japanese celebrities who have supported the project here. 

To learn more about ILC visit the official project site: http://www.linearcollider.org

●MAGAZINE● WEEKLY MORNING No.25



Director Wes Anderson's latest stop motion animation movie, Isle Of Dogs, titled Inugashima (犬ヶ島) for the May 25th Japanese theatrical release will receive a bi-weekly serielized comicalization by manga author Minetaro Mochizuki (望月ミネタロ) starting today in Kodansha's Weekly Morning Magazine. Katsuhiro Otomo's illustration for the Japanese poster of the film features in the cover of the magazine.

MAGAZINE DETAILS
Publisher: Kodansha (講談社)
Release date: 2018-V-24
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: -
Size: 25.7 x 17.8 x 2 cm
Retail price: ¥324

AVAILABILITY
Amazon JP: https://amzn.to/2J6zjsd

The magazine is available in Kindle and other digital formats. You can see a preview in the official site: http://d.morningmanga.jp/viewer/1176/

●MANGA ORIGINAL STORY● SURPRISE (サプライズ)


SURPRISE (サプライズ)
Published in Morning 2 (モーニング 2) magazine in 2018-IV-21
B/W

Written by Katsuhiro Otomo (大友克洋)
Illustrated by Isami Nakagawa (中川いさみ)





AVAILABILITY
Amazon JP: https://amzn.to/2IaM9F7

●ILLUSTRATION● INUGASHIMA (犬ヶ島) Japanese Poster



Katsuhiro Otomo has created a special version of the poster for the Japanese release of ISLE OF DOGS (犬ヶ島) the latest stop-motion animation movie directed by Wes Anderson.

OTOMO'S COMMENT
“When I first saw Isle of Dogs, I thought it might be difficult to make a poster that would add something to the movie...It is filled with homage to Japanese cinema, including music directly from Kurosawa, and seemed fully realized already, with all its details in place. It was its own complete world. Then I had an idea: to paint a very traditional Japanese dog to represent the island itself, and a very traditional Japanese wooden floor as the sea. I hope my drawing will be a meaningful way to help share this film with the world.”


The illustration was featured in the cover of WEEKLY MORNING No.25 to promote the manga of Isle of Dogs and was later included in the book that covers the making of of the movie  written by Lauren Wilford and  Ryan Stevenson with illustration by Max Dalton and introductions by Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou. Foreword by Matt Zoller Seitz and with contributions by director Wes Anderson.

●2018 US EDITION● The Wes Anderson Collection : Isle of Dogs
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release date: 2018-IX-25
Language: English
Number of pages: 256 pages
Size: 9.8 x 0.9 x 11.6 in
Retail price: $35
ISBN-10: 1419730096
ISBN-13: 978-1419730092

 AVAILABILITY
Amazon JP: https://amzn.to/2PsWSPP
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2TjVdds
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2QLTxrP
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2QKUWyF
Amazon DE: https://amzn.to/2QRkA57
Amazon FR: https://amzn.to/2zZxRRC
Amazon IT: https://amzn.to/2QJwldy
Amazon ES: https://amzn.to/2OLsISP

●2019 JAPANESE EDITION● The Wes Anderson Collection: メイキングブック 犬ヶ島
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: フィルムアート社
Release date: 2019-II-25
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 256
Size: 27.6 x 23.2 x 2.2 cm
Retail price: ￥ 5,184
ISBN-10: 4845918072
ISBN-13: 978-4845918072

●BLU-RAY● ROBOT CARNIVAL (ロボットカーニバル)




Discotek Media has released in the US the first ever edition of ROBOT CARNIVAL (ロボットカーニバル) in Blu-ray format. A widescreen, high-definition restoration was created from the original film materialsfor this edition that features three different presentations; the original Japanese release, the first US theatrical release by Stremaline Pictures and the VHS/laserdic released later. All of them available with both English and Japanese audio.

BONUS CONTENT
■A new documentary: “The Memory of Robot Carnival: A Look Back at the History of the Classic Anthology,” written/directed/edited/produced by Anime News Network's Justin Sevakis.
■Liner notes, behind the scenes anecdotes, a director profile, storyboard to screen comparisons, art gallery with  model sheets, character designs and layouts.
■Trailers and photo galleries
■Scans of rare promotional items
■Reversible cover


BLU-RAY DETAILS
Publisher: Discotek Media
Release date: 2018-III-27
Format: NTSC | BD50 | TBA | 16:9 | 1080p
Audio: Japanese & English Dub | Linear PCM Stereo
Subtitles: English
Running time: 91 minutes
Retail Price: $29.99
UPC: 875707192026

AVAILABILITY

●CONCEPT DESIGN● Tokyo Dome 30th anniversary


Katsuhiro Otomo has designed an object to celebrate the 30th anniversay of the Tokyo Dome (東京ドーム)   which turns out to be the first domed stadium of Japan. The object is on display in front of the gate 22 in a crystal pyramid.

●LOGO DESIGN● +ULTRA



Katsuhiro Otomo has designed the logo of the new Fuji TV telecast slot「＋Ultra」（プラス ウルトラ) that was announced today and that will start airing on october 2018, with the goal of sharing Japanese animation all over the world. Production of the design was handled by Katsuhiro Otomo and animated by production company BUEMON (武右ェ門)

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)