Earlier this year, Naoko Yamada has released his new film, The Colors Inside (Kimi no Iro). The new project marks Yamada's third work with studio Science SARU and she once again collaborates with screenwriter Reiko Yoshida and composer Kensuke Ushio. Although Japanese audiences had a chance to see the film this summer, most of Yamada's foreign fans are still waiting.
GKIDS took the film overseas for its North American premiere on October 19, at the Animation Is Film festival in California. To welcome the nationwide premiere next January, we had the opportunity to chat with the famous director, famous for works such as K-On!, A Silent Voice, Liz and the Blue Bird, about The Colors Inside, the lovable main character, Totsuko, and working with Reiko Yoshida and Science SARU.
Q: What is the origin story of the movie The Colors Inside? How did it happen?
I talked to a production company STORY and an animation company Science SARU. And we all said, “Let's do something together.” I wanted to make a movie so we decided to make a movie. What will it be about? Are we going to do something unique or are we going to adapt? I think for some reason, after all the discussions, it was decided that we would work on an original. You know, this is the first time I've worked on an original. And I'm so excited. But I also felt a lot of pressure on myself, a little nervous, but I knew I wanted to do something with musical colors and just express my feelings without using words. I also wanted to create something that the audience could enjoy and feel through images.
Q: You once again collaborated with Reiko Yoshida. Your creative partnership has been a long time coming, but how did it start, when did you first meet? How is your collaboration represented in The Colors Inside?
The first time I met Ms. Yoshida was while working for K-ON. Because K-ON is a four-panel manga and to turn it into an animation, I was really excited [tự hỏi] how a four-panel manga would be adapted into animation. So I was very curious about that, but when Ms. Yoshida flipped the script for the first episode, I was really stunned because you could feel the atmosphere of what was going on between the frames just with words. her. Because just by reading her script, I can imagine what the characters are facing and going through, so I was very moved. I was truly stunned and I will never forget that feeling. You know, even now I think we've been working together for 15 years. But every time I read her script, her words touched me. I've always been a fan. I think I always will.
Q: I'm not sure if this was accidental or planned, so I'll ask about it: Does Totsuko have synesthesia? How did you come up with the idea for her to see the colors of people and music?
I don't want to name this particular trait of Totsuko. So whether or not it's some kind of disorder, it's not delirium tremens, etc. It's really simply the way she sees the world or in fact, it's actually her role. her particular game. She exists in this world; That's not a superpower she has. Looks like she hasn't [sự khác biệt] anything about the brain or anything like that. I just want people to think, see it that way and accept it [cô ấy] so. Totsuko is just like that and that's it. But I also think the audience watching can realize “Oh, you know, when I talk to people, I feel something or I guess [tôi có] this kind of feeling when talking to other people.”So maybe [nó] is something of a sixth sense. Perhaps the audience might think that [họ] also have a certain way of looking at other people. So it made them realize and I was hoping something that would push the audience to realize something about themselves or make them relate to Totsuko.
Q: The film's main voice cast consists of traditional actors who do not have much voice acting experience. What was it like working with the trio – Sayu Suzukawa, Akari Takaishi and Taisei Kido? Do you think the process is different from traditional seiyuu casting?
I think if you look at the small details, there might be differences, but you know at the end of the day they are all the same actors and they are very passionate or particular about the way they act. So I don't really see much of a difference, but I think what I see is that when they act, they usually use their whole body. They use expression, they use their movements to express themselves. But then I nonchalantly thought: “Maybe, maybe they have difficulty because they can only use their voice to act and express themselves.” But I think they did well. I can't really say much about how they feel. That would be a better question for them. But yeah, that's how I see it.
Q: The Colors Inside is your third project with Science SARU. Can you tell us a little about what an average day at the studio is like?
I can't go to the studio often. I am one of the remote employees, but from my perspective, Science SARU has a very young staff and also a lot of international staff. It's very interesting. It motivated me to want to do more, but the brainstorming sessions and the way they came up with ideas were also fun and interesting. And I also think the whole staff, I think they like to be creative. They come up with new ways to express themselves. And I think that's very interesting and fun and engaging.
Q: If Totsuko could see your color, what color would you choose?
Actually I don't know. I barely exist in the world. That's really hard to say. But if I had to choose a color, you know, I like lemon yellow.
I would like to thank director Yamada for taking the time to talk about the film. The Colors Inside opens in US theaters on January 24. In addition to Naoko Yamada, the staff of The Colors Inside includes:
Screenplay: Reiko Yoshida Music: kensuke ushio Character design & animation director: Takashi Kojima Original character design: Daisuke RichardChief Art director: Midori ShimadaArt Director: Yuuna Murooka Color design: Yuko Kobari Composer: Yoshimitsu TomitaEditor: Kiyoshi HiroseSound director: Eriko KimuraSound effects: Hiromune KurahashiExecutive producers: Eunyoung Choi, Yoshihiro FurusawaProduced by: Genki KawamuraProduced by: Wakana Okamura, Kohei SakitaProduced by: STORY inc.Production and production Produced by: Science SARU
Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colors' of other people. The color of happiness, excitement and serenity, plus her favorite color. Kimi, a friend from her school, has the most beautiful color. Even though she doesn't play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, quiet music enthusiasts they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forging friendships and rekindling their feelings. Will they discover their true 'colors'?
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