Draft:Kenji Itoso
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Kenji Itoso | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 30, 1978 Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Pref., Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Business proprietor, University professor |
| Notable work | Seikilos and I, Coluboccoro, Santa Company |
| Website | KENJI STUDIO Co., Ltd. |
Kenji Itoso (born May 30, 1978) is a renowned film director, businessman, and academician from Hiroshima, Japan. Known for his innovative approach in the fields of animation and film, Itoso serves as the Professor and Head of the Faculty of Art at Osaka Seikei University, with an invited researcher role at Waseda University. He is an alumnus of Tokyo Zokei University and holds a master's degree from Waseda University.
Career
Early Life and Education
Itoso's early foray into animation began during his university years, notably winning the Shonen Jump Newcomer Award for his manga creations. In 1998, he joined the prestigious Higashi Koganeimura Juku training program at Studio Ghibli, studying under animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki.[1] This experience laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the animation industry.
Directorial Debut and Projects
In 2006, Itoso made his directorial debut with Seikilos and I, produced by film director Nobuhiko Obayashi.[2] Following this, he spearheaded the original animation project Coluboccoro, which garnered commendations from former Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara and former Environment Minister Yuriko Koike[3]. His establishment of a video production company marked a significant expansion of his creative portfolio, encompassing animation, live-action films, and music videos.
Itoso's academic career advanced rapidly, becoming a professor at Osaka Seikei University's Faculty of Art at the age of 32. His involvement in Satoshi Kon's Dreaming Machine[4] further solidified his position in the animation field. In addition to his directorial works, Itoso has been pivotal in designing characters for international events, such as the Finnish Embassy's official character Fintan[5] and the official character of Cuba for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Crowdfunding Success and Innovations
Kenji Itoso is also known for his successful crowdfunding campaigns, having raised a total of 850 million yen through platforms like Kickstarter, Sony Bank GATE, and Makuake. His project Shenmue III set a Guinness World Record by raising over 240 million yen in just eight and a half hours.[6]
Itoso's innovative approaches extend to the commercial realm as well, where he directed and edited TV commercials for Sony's Xperia smartphone. His original anime Santa Company showcased a unique business model, pre-selling educational materials based on the anime to schools, which allowed for the recovery of production costs prior to the film's release.[7]
His contributions to video game adaptations, such as the Fire Force Chapter 2, where he proposed an immersive project allowing players to experience the anime's world, further highlight his versatility. The ending animation, created using the Unreal Engine 4, was seamlessly converted into a video game.[8]
Recognition and Awards
Itoso's films have received international acclaim, featuring at the Cannes International Film Festival and winning multiple awards including the Grand Prize at the CMT Awards and the Corporate Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival. In 2006, he was recognized as an emerging artist by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan.
Major Works
Live-Action Films
Seikilos and I (Director, 2006) - A film exploring the themes of memory and time, noted for its innovative storytelling. [Citation needed] Casting Blossoms to the Sky (Animation Director, 2012) - Contributed significantly to the animation segments of this acclaimed drama. [Citation needed] Rakugo Eiga (Animation Director, 2013) - Blended traditional storytelling with modern animation techniques. [Citation needed] Attack on Titan (Opening Producer, 2015) - Oversaw the production of the opening sequence for this live-action adaptation. [Citation needed] Attack on Titan: End of the World (Opening Producer, 2015) - Continued his role in the sequel of the popular franchise. [Citation needed] Masquerade Night (Animation and Ending Producer, 2021) - Provided key animation and concluding segments. [Citation needed] Radiation House (Painting Producer, 2022) - Innovated with unique visual storytelling techniques. [Citation needed]
Anime Films
Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness (Computer Graphics, 1998) - His work on computer graphics was pivotal in this critically acclaimed film. [Citation needed] Dreaming Machine (Production, date unknown) - A posthumous project of Satoshi Kon, where Itoso played a significant role in production. [Citation needed] Santa Company (Director, Producer, Screenplay, 2014) - This original work by Itoso was notable for its unique funding and distribution model. [Citation needed] Macross Delta: Zettai LIVE!!!!!! (Episode Production, 2021) - Contributed to the production of this well-known anime series. [Citation needed]
Animation
[List of significant animation projects, each with a brief description and reference URL]
Music Videos
[List of notable music videos directed or produced by Itoso, each with a brief description and reference URL]
Commercials
[List of commercials directed or produced by Itoso, particularly highlighting any innovative approaches or notable campaigns, with reference URLs]
Video Games
Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game (Card Illustration) - Contributed to the design of numerous cards in this globally popular card game. [Citation needed] The Prince of Tennis Trading Card Game (Card Illustration) - His artistic direction in card illustrations was well-received in the gaming community. [Citation needed] Captain Tsubasa: Eikou no Kiseki (Card Illustration, 2002) - Blended the iconic anime style with interactive gameplay elements. [Citation needed] Hikaru no Go: Heian Gensou Ibunroku (Graphics, 2002) - Provided graphic design that captured the essence of the series. [Citation needed] Shenmue III (Film Direction, 2015) - Played a key role in the cinematic aspects of this highly anticipated game. [Citation needed] Fire Force: Battle of the Flame Road (Planner, Director, 2020) - His vision in game design and direction added depth to the game's narrative. [Citation needed]
Publications (including co-writing)
[List of books, articles, and other publications by Itoso, each with a brief description and reference URL]
Lyrics
[List of songs for which Itoso wrote lyrics, each with a brief description and reference URL]
Other
HOKUSAI〜Hokusai no Uchu〜 (Planetarium, Picture Content, 2007) - A unique multimedia experience combining animation and planetarium technology. [Citation needed] Akiko Suzuki Official Logo (Design, 2014) - Demonstrated his prowess in graphic design with this iconic logo. [Citation needed]
References
- ^ "[Title of the Article]". ORICON NEWS. June 10, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Finland Endorsed "Santa Company" Feature Planned for Winter 2013 Release". Helsinki Times. 13 December 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "TBS Affiliate Program Newscaster: Joho 7days". TBS. September 8, 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Director Satoshi Kon's Latest Theatre Work 'Dreaming Machine' Official Site Opens". AnimeAnime.jp. November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Fintan Anime's Last Episode is Finally Here: Interview with Director Kenji Itoso". Finland in Japan. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ ITmedia NEWS, April 10, 2018 & Yahoo! News Top Articles.
- ^ Anime!Anime!, Published on July 29, 2019.
- ^ Monthly CGWORLD, September 2020 issue.
External Links
KENJI STUDIO