Stomach pain every day! Interview with the animation producer of "Parasite"
Q: What is the outline and charm of the work?
A: The original work is a comic that was born in 1989, and even director James Cameron had the idea of making a video. It should be said that it can be remembered in history. This time, Nippon TV produced live-action movies and TV animation series at the same time, and carried out the practice that everyone has seen so far. I think this is a treasure-like masterpiece that can influence many works of later generations.
Q: When the animation released the production news, what kind of response did all parties have? In addition, when the animation started, did everyone's reaction change?
A: Honestly, both in good and bad terms, there has been a great response. Among the works I have worked on, "Parasite" is comparable to "Death Note", "NANA", "Full Time Hunter", or even better than them. The original work has a large number of fans, and the amount of information about the plot is so large, which makes me feel a lot of pressure. Even after the broadcast, the pressure on me hasn't changed, it's just not only the reaction of fans of the original work, but also the enthusiastic feedback from people who don't usually watch anime works. Together with the producers, I am deeply encouraged and want to work hard.
Q: In the creation of works, what things make people feel happy? Instead, what makes it difficult?
A: Basically it's all stress (laughs). This work is also broadcast on private TV stations in the form of terrestrial waves. We have to make various preparations for this, and there are absolute difficulties in it. It's a matter of presentation.
Especially in the plot of the parasitic beast killing, we adopted a new way of splitting the shots, and we wanted to reflect the unique and emotionless characteristics of the parasitic beast. In theory, there is nothing that animation cannot reproduce.
But ah, after all, TV is a medium most likely to be watched by children and women. Plus the restrictions of relevant laws and regulations.
And these killing scenes, if only let the parasitic beast unscrupulously kill, then it looks very cool, but in this way, the philosophy of the work is impossible to talk about.
To be more serious, I think this will disqualify you from doing animation.
Therefore, we have to carefully examine each shot, one picture after another, discuss the details repeatedly, and make them carefully.
Because of this intensity, I have stomach pains every day (laughs).
Stomach pain every day! Interview with the animation producer of "Parasite"
Q: The animation has made some changes to the original plot and characters, so what is the purpose of your changes?
A: This is a work that was born 20 years ago. I want to make everyone living in 2014 feel like "Ah, the story in this work is happening right now". During the long years, our lives have also changed little by little from the past. And I hope to make the work have the characteristics of today's animation. After all, there are no mobile phones in the original work, the Internet is not mature, and there are still delinquent teenagers in the school...
The great thing about the original work is that the ideas embodied in the story have not shown any signs of fading until today. So I hope that in this day and age, the work can be expressed as a story that is "not out of date". To this end, I negotiated with the original author, Mr. Yan Mingjun, and finally got the current form. We need to show respect for the original work in every line...
Q: What is the relationship between animation and live-action movies?
A: Should it be a relationship or something. In other words, I hope everyone can have fun through different media formats. The role of Xiaoyou in the movie is played by Mr. Takashi Abe, while in the animation it is Miss Aya Hirano. The two of them had known each other before, but they never dreamed that they would play the same role at the same time. That's right (laughs).
Q: Please tell us the future highlights of the work.
A: Xiaoyou slowly showed his humanity, and under the influence of the blood of the parasitic beast, Shinichi is also changing. Ms. Hirano and Mr. Shimazaki Nobunaga used their outstanding performance to reflect this subtle change. The acting skills of the two of them also grow together with the characters. It would be great if everyone could feel this change personally! Ah, now it will be even more fun if you review the previous episodes through internet distribution! (This is propaganda, lol).
Q: Please have a word with the fans.
A: The story is only half over. Your feedback will be the source of our efforts, and I will work hard with the production staff and voice actor lineup. In order not to break this trust and to make it to the end, what else can we do other than work hard?
Please give me more advice in the future.
View more about Parasyte: The Maxim reviews
