children realized that?
The movies traded precious memories
for instant gratification.
Really stupid, don't you think?
So, my predecessor's actual plan was?
"Do everything at face value."
"I don't want to use any colors
that can't become words."
A story that seems sensual,
but perhaps not.
For example, a heroine who's
the only woman among characters.
Fine. Start from there.
Mr. Director, do you know...
...the Italian American who embraced
the newly-born Technicolor...
...at the drop of a hat?
Walt Disney.
Come to think of it, he was the one
who dragged "story" into animation.
Very suitable as our figurehead,
isn't he?
Cola definitely has to be Pepsi, huh?
Absolutely.
Is it alright?
At least in movies,
it's not bad to be free from colors.
Besides...
Over time, films discolor,
wear out, burn or melt away, and disapp-
Over time, films discolor,
wear out-
Han!
It's Itoh.
Assistant Animation Director
Tamiko Kobayashi
Tamiko Kobayashi, age 28.
A crackerjack
assistant animation director...
...a.k.a. "Tanko the blank frame."
A good student of mine and a colleague.
She and I have survived a
number of life-or-death crises together.
Anticipating the complexity
of the situation...
...I summoned her, my last trump card.
But later, it would complicate
the situation even more.
But, not being God,
I couldn't possibly have known that then.
Is it alright to start right away?
Go ahead.
First of all, the producer, Unoyama.
As a pretty big player, he seems to have
a lot of enemies in the industry.
The "director problem" becomes
more and more complex...
...and not even the distribution company
has been officially decided...
...but he's still supporting
the work front.
Nobody knows how he's doing it.
He paid me generously, though.
Why was he so obsessed with the idea of
using that Rei Maruwa, of all people?
Talk about mysteries,
that's what I call a mystery.
"That" Maruwa?
Do you want to hear?
I collected all the reviews
on him and his works.
No, it won't help ourjob in any way.
There are only two kinds
of movie critics.
Those who dislike animation
and those who don't.
No, those who don't watch animation
and those who do.
Gen Handawara, age 33.
Has 8-years experience as a desk-chief.
Was head-hunted for his skills
and moved from Aji Production.
Has chronic illnesses in the liver,
pancreas, kidneys, and heart.
Toshiki Tahara, age 29.
5 years experience as a
production assistant.
Fired by a studio for selling cells
through illegal channels...
...and was taken in by Unoyama.
Yasuo Handa, age 22.
Former wrestler.
Saw a want-ad 6 months ago
and joined the company.
The color keys, Aya and Tsuya Yasuda.
Ages unknown.
Self-proclaimed twins.
Three years ago...
...while working on a certain project
for a certain production company...
...they colored a character's skin
all green and were severely chastised.
The animation director,
Shinichiro Ohtsuka.
Age, nationality, country of origin, etc.,
all unknown.
No such person resides in the files.
Key animator, Jiro Itano, age 27.
Has been convicted
for the illegal possession of firearms...
...violating use of explosives laws, etc.
Worked at Torajima Animation Company
until last year...
...but was fired for nearly killing
an assistant animation director...
...and was taken in by Unoyama.
Another key animator,
Shoichi Yamashita, age 22.
Came to Tokyo at the age of 16
and kept moving from studio to studio.
Currently has no permanent address.
Tends to be emotionally unstable.
Key animator, Hiroshi Kitakubo, age 28.
Background unknown.
No permanent address.
Tends to display an abnormal
fixation for knives.
The inbetweener checker,
Chie Sasaki, called Chie.
Age unknown.
Rumor has it that she's been around
since the time of "Akado Suzunosuke."
Except for Handawara,
they're all a bunch of good-for-nothings.
Anyone else?
Of course it's a silly rumor, but a ghost
apparently dwells in this