The second part of a conversation between Kenji Nakamura, director of the completely new three-part theatrical film series "Mononoke: The Movie," and Shingo Yamashita, director of the original anime "Super Princess Mononoke!", has been released on Twin Engine's official YouTube channel. Director Nakamura has built his own unique worldview with the "Mononoke" series, as well as "C" and "Tsuritama," while Director Yamashita gained attention for the opening sequences of the first season of "Jujutsu Kaisen" and is currently making headlines with his first feature film, "Super Princess Kaguya!". These two, whose styles and careers seem quite different, brought together things they wanted to ask each other and had a frank discussion.
When asked by Director Nakamura about his methodology for content design, Director Yamashita said that he consciously tries to "fall in love" with each project he creates. He revealed that he emulates the desire and feeling that arises when you fall in love with someone—the desire to "translate even the difficult parts of this person and convey them to many people"—in his creative process, which impressed Director Nakamura. Furthermore, he spoke about how he interprets the reasons why his works and characters are supported by fans, and how that influences his approach to creation.
Director Nakamura described his creative drive as "similar to how people post on social media or upload photos. It's like uploading a work to the world." In response, Director Yamashita said, "That might be one of the differences between what Nakamura and I create," and added that he "feels a social element" in Director Nakamura's work. The conversation then expanded to Director Yamashita's own creative drive, and the difference in their styles emerged as a difference in their views on creation.
"Mononoke" is an anime produced by the same staff who worked on the popular episode "Bakeneko" from "Ayakashi," which aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina anime block in 2006. It aired on Noitamina in 2007. The story depicts a supernatural tale in which the medicine seller who appeared in "Bakeneko" confronts a Mononoke. "Mononoke: The Movie" is set in the Ooku, a women's quarters of the Edo Castle, where the passions of women swirl, and follows the medicine seller as he pursues the true identity of the "Mononoke." The first chapter, "Karakasa," was released in July 2024, and the second chapter, "Hinezumi," was released in March. The final chapter, the third chapter, "Hebigami," will be released on May 29th.
"Super Princess Kaguya!" is a "musical anime" based on the classic "Tale of the Bamboo Cutter." The story follows 17-year-old high school student Iroha Sakayori, who is juggling part-time jobs and schoolwork, as she encounters Kaguya, who emerges from a gaming-themed utility pole glowing in seven colors. Studio Colorido, known for "Penguin Highway," and Studio Chromato, led by director Yamashita, teamed up to produce the anime. A host of renowned Vocaloid producers, including ryo from "supercell," kz from "livetune," 40mP, "HoneyWorks," Aqu3ra, and yuigot, provided the music. It premiered as a "Netflix movie" on January 22nd, and due to its success, it began theatrical release on February 20th.
