Todoroki Kawaii

Considering the buzz over the live action Robert Rodriguez Fire and Ice film in the works, and the resurrection of the Frank Frazetta museum, this was a nice find.  Enjoy and be inspired.

No matter what you do, some just won't be satisfied.  "Fat Godzilla"  was reaction I heard from a Japanese friend who just saw pictures of the revised Hollywood version of Godzilla.  A lot better than "Fake Godzilla".  A reference to the 1998 American attempt at Godzilla directed by Roland Emmerich.  Japanese Godzilla (or Gojira /ゴジラ in Japanese)  fans don't even acknowledge that version as it's referred to as "Zilla".    So, Hollywood must be making progress. Asking which was his favorite version of Godzilla, (there have been so many) I was surprised to hear, "The first Godzilla."  ゴジラ / Godzilla (Toho 1954).  He said that war was still fresh in the minds of Japanese in 1954, as World War II was only nine years before.  "Japanese see was war is a kind of monster. It is not controllable and it has a will of its own.  It comes unexpected wreaks havoc and then just leaves  the same way.   (Kind of like this monster) ...

Apologies to Mr. Blaise for copping his title. How could someone not be inspired by this man? Aaron Blaise is an accomplished and amazing artist, animator and filmmaker who has been extremely generous in sharing his work, insights and advice on his website The Art of Aaron Blaise ( www.creatureartteacher.com )   Aaron Blaise has produced beautiful work on films such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan and Brother Bear which he directed.  All artists are always trying to learn, grow, build up on what they have spent years mastering.  Whatever motivates the artist,  there are always stumbles and outright obstacles.   Every now and then, the artist finds an oasis of information or inspiration that can help keep him/ her going.  Aaron's online advice is certainly one.  One of the most important things about the art process is that it's not so much "what you do" but "how you think" about your work.    This is one of the greatest areas of advic...

Where would movie titles and design be today without Saul Bass?   Saul Bass On Titles.  Documentary Parts 1, 2 and 3.  

Another inspiring exhibition is about to hit Tokyo.   Takahiko Inoue ( 井上雄彦)   artist of the hugely popular Japanese manga titles "Slam Dunk" and "Vagabond" apparently has has been admirer of modernist architect Antoni Gaudi for some time.  So much so that it inspired him to tour Spain and record his travel memoirs, in his art book, "Pepita:  Inoue Meets Gaudi" . This tribute to  Gaudi, Spain and its people resulted in Inoue being awarded the honor of becoming Spain's goodwill ambassador.   All this is culminating in a final celebration of the 400th Anniversary of diplomacy between Japan and Spain. (400?!)   An exhibition at the Mori Arts Center in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills:  Takehiko Inoue Interprets Gaudi's Universe   will start July 12.   100 art pieces and works comprising of rough sketches, models and architectural designs related to Gaudi will be brought from Spain to Japan, along with 40 original illustrations by Inoue himself....

A recent graphic design assignment has availed me to discover and rediscover some great artists in graphic design.  Shigeo Fukuda being one of them.  Victory 1945 is perhaps one of his best known works.  Awesome, simple and effective commentary. Fukuda has a very stark and compelling sense of design that could make someone say, "a Japanese Saul Bass"  but Fukuda takes it one step further. Using planes that are clearly flat and 2D with subjects which had undeniable weight and volume make them greatly appealing. Some his work compels the eye to travel so well the images border on being animated. Fukuda was quoted, " I believe that in design, 30% dignity, 20% beauty, and 50% absurdity are necessary.  Rather than catering to the design sensitivity of the general public, there is advancement in design if people are left to feel satisfied with their own superiority, by entrapping them with an optical illusion." 

One of the biggest differences between Japanese and American animation is that in Japan, voices are recorded after the animation is completed and the Japanese actors do their best to fit the animator's work.   The traditional "Disney-way" of animation records the voice performance of the actor first and the animators animate following the energy given by the professional voice actors. The result is an acting performance which is arguably more convincing.  The animator has the freedom to animate characters actually articulate what the character is expressing or emoting thusly creating a greater sense of believability.  There are few Japanese animation directors who animate in this style, "Akira"'s Katsuhiro Otomo being one of them. When Disney films come to Japan they are often retitled.  "Tangled" retitled (?)  to simply "The Tower of Rapunzel" ( とうのうえのラプンツェル )   and "Frozen" was retitled to "Anna and the Snow Queen" (...