11th Animation Division Critiques

Expectations for high quality works with power of persuasion and inevitability

Evaluation of a visual work is influenced greatly by a viewer's knowledge, tastes, feelings, and other elements. However, in this annual Japan Media Arts Festival, even though it depends on that year's selection of jury members, I believe the right works are chosen from numerous genres every year. As for commercial works, tremendous resources are thrown into them so there is a chance to be a big hit with new hooks and visibility, but in this festival, contents of the work and its quality are given greater weight. Again this year, the screening was implemented taking various aspects, including artistic quality, entertainment value, novelty of content, enthusiasm of the author, potential, etc., into consideration. Judges had different points of view but I am sure we achieved good results. I would be happy if those who objected to our decisions and who did not have the chance to watch the works could watch the award-winning works one more time based on the results.

Profile

SUZUKI Shinichi

Animation Director

Born in Nagasaki City, SUZUKI Shinichi started submitting his works to magazines, like "Manga Shonen" when he was a high school student. In 1955, he lived in Tokiwa-so, Tokyo with fellow manga artists. In 1956, he joined Otogi Production presided by YOKOYAMA Ryuichi, the author of Fukuchan, and ventured into animation. He worked for productions of Fukusuke and the first TV animation series in Japan Instant History. He established Studio Zero in 1963 with FUJIKO F Fujio, FUJIKO Fujio (A), ISHINOMORI Shotaro, TSUNODA Jiro, AKATSUKA Fujio and others. He also produced Osomatsu-kun, Pa-man, and others. He co-directed four films, including Mina no Egao by the Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO with LAT, a Malaysian manga artist. Currently he is visiting professor of Bunsei University of Art and Director of the Suginami Animation Museum.