One of the most representative anime in the history of the Japanese animation industry is “Mobile Suit Gundam“, which although it was not the first to start with the “mecha” genre, it was the one that laid the foundations in terms of plot, technical and resources to be used in this genre. This situation would lead to future works such as “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, “Fafner in the Azure” and “Code Geass”, among others, to enjoy great acceptance and success.
This time in a recent interview with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko director, character designer of the original anime and author of the manga adaptation of the work, has made some harsh comments about the current industry. As well as he has emphasized through a criticism about a situation that afflicts recent anime works and that fans will agree with him.
The mastermind behind Mobile Suit Gundam believes that directors who don’t faithfully adapt an anime from its original source should direct other projects!
The Japanese news media called “Toyokeizai” has published a long interview with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko the mastermind behind the “Gundam” saga. It touches on various topics where he talks a bit about his life in the industry, as well as his works, but especially relevant is a section where the master animator made some harsh comments about the “fidelity of anime adaptations”. He mentions that the standard nowadays is that of “how faithful an anime is to its original source.”
This is a situation in which he is very much in agreement, as he mentions that while this is somewhat restrictive for today’s directors, as it would limit them to nothing more than being able to improve elements such as scenarios or some character designs; it is essential that any work that is adapted to anime is totally faithful, because it is something that is very important for fans and consumers today. Evidently, he also mentions that his intention is not to look down on those directors who take some creative liberties when it comes to directing, but that he does firmly believe in what should be this way.
Also the prominent director behind “Mobile Suit Gundam” comments that if you are a director within the industry who likes to use the resource of changing certain elements in the animated adaptation, the best thing you could do is to direct totally original works, as it offers the opportunity to “shape their own vision of the world” without limiting them. Thus leaving it totally established that anime has become a new form of independent expression, with a place for all those who like to be faithful to the original work or to be able to create something totally new.
Finally, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko reflects that the anime industry today has returned to the “old days” because there is a kind of relationship where the manga, the original work, was the teacher to be followed by its student, in this case the anime. Something that is more than clear and is appreciated by the fans, since the consumer tends to value in a better way an anime that has been adapted in a more faithful way.
Undoubtedly a very interesting interview where the legendary director of “Mobile Suit Gundam” has made clear his position on a topic that in recent years has caused some controversy among anime fans. Let’s remember that many do not like that anime adaptations omit things that are important and that would give an added value to the work or that, in most cases, the adaptation becomes a disaster because of the lack of care in this area.
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