Yoko Shogenji of the idol group Hinatazaka46, who serves as a promotional ambassador for the TV anime "Snowball Earth," based on the manga by Yuichiro Tsuji, serialized in "Monthly Spirits" (Shogakukan), has released a video on YouTube titled "Hinatazaka46 Yoko Shogenji's 'Snowball Earth' Production Studio Tour," in which she infiltrates Studio KAI, the studio producing the anime. The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at anime production that is usually hidden from view.
The process of creating an anime is explained step by step in an easy-to-understand manner. Top creators from each department provide direct explanations. In the animation department section, Shogenji interviews character designer Kono Toshiya. Kono talks about his particular approach to drawing the protagonist, Tetsuo, and, at Shogenji's request, personally lectures on his drawing techniques.
In the 3DCG section, Deputy Director and CG supervisor Kenji Iwata revealed the process of creating the robot Yukio from a 3DCG model and giving it dynamic movement. In the cinematography section, where 2D and 3D are combined, cinematographer Kenta Hayashi showed how the final cinematography processing is applied to the combined 2D and 3DCG images to complete the video. The second installment of the project will feature a conversation between director Munehisa Sakai and Shogenji.
"Snowball Earth" is a sci-fi x monster x robot action series set on Snowball Earth, an Earth covered in snow and ice. The story follows Tetsuo, a shy boy, and his giant robot partner Yukio, as they return to Earth 10 years after a final battle for the survival of humanity, only to find it frozen solid. It airs every Friday at 11:30 PM on Nippon Television's anime block "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT (FuraAni)".
