INTERVIEW: Steamboy and Akira's Katsuhiro Otomo

There are some people who are impossible to interview. I thought Katsuhiro Otomo was going to be one of them, because his English is non-existent and my Japanese doesn't even stretch to ordering a beer. "Don't worry," the PR guy says. "You send over a list of questions, we'll get them translated and answered and then translate the answers back for you."

It all sounded so easy. Here are Otomo's thoughts on the big questions affecting his work and animation in general:

1. How do you think animation has improved since you began working with it?
A. I do not know. It is not because of me.

2. Which parts of the animation process do you enjoy the most?
A. The planning stage.

3. Are there any European animators whose work you enjoy?
A. All of them are wonderful and there are many works that stimulate the senses.

4. Do you feel that CGI animation will ever completely replace hand painted animation?
A. I think this area will remain as it is.

5. [I've missed out question number 5 because Otomo wrote 116 words for that one. Yes, that's right, there's one answer we can actually use in the magazine!]

6. Do you enjoy using the DVD format, with its space for extras and commentaries?
A. Well, it is definitely interesting to watch but please do not ask me to take an acting role in those.

7. How involved are you with the long-touted live-action Akira movie? And what is its current status?
A. I would like to know too.

8. What’s up next for you?
A. We have a couple of plans to produce live action films or animations, but I guess we are not ready to announce them as yet.


I thought it was going to be impossible to interview Katsuhiro Otomo, and it was. I just hope the translator was charging a flat fee. If he was getting paid by the word he got stiffed big time.