Summary
Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Collector’s Edition is a Blu-ray release that collects five of Masaaki Yuasa’s legendary anime films, including Mind Game, The Night is Short, Walk on Girl, Lu Over the Wall, Ride Your Wave and Inu -Oh. Yuasa’s unique vision unites all of his works, characterized by protagonists who are bound by something and find liberation. He incorporates his own thoughts about the era into his recent films. Yuasa discusses how he adapts stories to the screen, focusing on interpreting his own emotions and capturing the essence of the source material. He also highlighted the challenges of maintaining motivation and passion in the ever-evolving anime industry.
One of the most beloved directors of modern anime is Masaaki Yuasaand there’s never been a better time to be a fan of his release Masaaki Yuasa: Five Movies Collector’s Edition. Known for his signature smooth style, Yuasa has made a name for himself both in and out of the industry, even landing him a spot as guest director of an episode of Adventure Time. Now, the new Blu-ray release collects five films from the legendary director.
Released by GKIDS, Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Collector’s Edition includes every theatrically released anime film directed by Yuasa, including Mind Game (2004), The Night is Short, Walk on Girl (2017), Lu Over the Wall (2017), Ride Your Wave (2019) and Inu-Oh (2021). In addition to those, the collection also includes a number of Yuasa’s short films and other extras. The collection is priced at $79.99 on the GKIDS website.
Related
Directed by Masaaki Yuasa Interview: Inu-Oh
Director Masaaki Yuasa sat down with Screen Rant to talk about his latest film, Inu-Oh.
Although Yuasa’s work spans many different tones and themes, it is all united by the legendary director’s unique vision. To celebrate the release of Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Collector’s Edition, we spoke with Yuasa about his creative process, his interactions with fans, and how he looks back on his work .
Masaaki Yuasa on the overarching themes in his work
Screen Rant: So given how different each of your works is, and more specifically how each film in this upcoming collection is different, is there a specific theme or set of themes? Is incorporating each of your films and each of your broader works in your mind?
Masaaki Yuasa: I think my common theme, or what I see as the same in all my main characters, is that they are bound by something and then released. I really think that’s always portrayed in my films and lately I’ve been able to incorporate more of how I feel or what I think about this era into my work.
Many of your works in this upcoming collection are adaptations of critically acclaimed and beloved stories. When you’re tweaking something, how do you decide what needs to change and what should stay the same? How do you keep that essential essence of the story while adapting it to a new medium?
Masaaki Yuasa: Yes, basically what I do is read or watch the original, then take what I felt during that process and turn it into a film. So if there is some change, I really don’t think about it. I don’t think like oh, I’ll change this, I’ll keep this. I didn’t note that it was really about me and my staff trying to convey our emotions and what we could do with the animation at that time and then turn it into a film.
Both the production and consumption of anime have changed a lot since the release of Mind Game in 2004 and the release of Inu-Oh a few years ago. What do you think about the anime industry today compared to when Mind Game was released? Is there anything better or worse about it, or does it mostly stay the same in your opinion?
Masaaki Yuasa: I think going digital is a really good thing that has changed the industry. We can do more different things and more new things digitally. The staff also made more progress. However, recently, I’ve noticed that with changes in the industry, it’s difficult for people to emotionally unite to create a project.
I asked them, ‘Is it because of the environment or the way they think?’ And it’s really like the way they think, you know, they’re thinking. We as animators or staff, they didn’t really feel like, Okay, yes, I’ll work with you to create this new project. The passion is slowly waning because I guess the industry is churning out too many anime and cartoons.
It’s really difficult to maintain morale and motivation so I think the challenge now for us is to create an environment where it’s easy to maintain employee motivation and passion.
Masaaki Yuasa on his growth as a director since Mind Game
On a more personal note, how do you feel you’ve personally grown as a creator between the release of Mind Games and now? Do you feel like your style has evolved? I know part of that will be, as you mentioned, the move to digital, but have you felt any other changes in your creative process?
Masaaki Yuasa: Yeah, when I made Mind Games, it was actually an era where the whole industry was really entering a digital evolution, so I created it freely. than. But after that, I really think I’ve evolved into a director who thinks more about how to communicate with the audience, how to convey to the audience what this project is about.
And I also started thinking about what I could do to help employees grow or enable employees to learn so they could reach their full potential.
Which film in this collection was the most fun to make and which was the most difficult?
Masaaki Yuasa: A lot of them are difficult to make, but most of them are difficult in the sense that every production is difficult. You know, I really think about how much fun I have when I’m creative because I’m challenging myself or trying new things. So it’s hard to say which is more difficult.
For the most fun. It’s also hard because I had so much fun doing all of them. But with Mind Game, because it was my first time directing, I didn’t really think much. I just focus on doing it and getting the job done. Yes, that’s a difficult question.
You’ve become one of the most respected and beloved directors currently working in Japan and I think these films certainly show why. What was the specific moment when you realized you were truly successful as a director?
Masaaki Yuasa: I still don’t feel like I’ve succeeded and I don’t think I’m that revered. I don’t know if the critics like me much. But I want to go there someday. I still like to keep trying. I still want to continue trying to make projects that make the audience excited and satisfied.
Masaaki Yuasa shares about creating the first anime funded through Kickstarter
The collection also includes the release of the new Kick-Heart short film, hailed as the first anime to be funded through Kickstarter. From a creative and production standpoint, what is the biggest difference in working on a project funded through Kickstarter versus your more traditional projects?
Masaaki Yuasa: With Kickstarter, everyone is a sponsor. So there’s a lot of pressure because there are so many sponsors. But once I was able to create it and meet the supporters, it was really fun. Like talk to them and get to know them.
Yes, because they are both fans and spectators, in addition to being sponsors, it is really interesting to see their perspective. Sometimes, like when I go abroad to a convention or event, like a film festival, I see fans wearing Kick-Heart shirts.
Speaking of fans, I think your work inspires people with so much passion because there’s nothing else like it. What is the most touching interaction you’ve had with a fan?
Masaaki Yuasa: There was something like a heartwarming interaction, but I regret it. I can’t remember. . . But I think the best thing about making a movie is seeing the audience’s reaction when you show it. So we had a few screenings where we showed it outside in a very casual environment while the audience was drinking beer and I had a blast. Watching that or watching the audience is great.
There are many creative people who have difficulty looking back at their work. Do you ever watch your movies again? Or are you the creative type who is always thinking ahead to your next project?
Masaaki Yuasa: I actually don’t review them much. Sometimes, when there’s a festival or event, I get a chance to revisit something from the past. For example, I recently rewatched Mind Games at an event and I looked at some of the scenes and thought, ‘Oh, hey, that was really well done.’ But I would also feel like ‘Oh, damn, I could have done something better there’. So my feelings while watching weren’t really consistent. But every time I have a new project and it’s released, I have some regrets, like, ‘Oh, I wish I could do this. I could have done this’.
But then when I look at the audience and they have so much fun watching my film, it makes me really happy. That makes it worthwhile.
Thank you Masaaki Yuasa for speaking with us. Be sure to check Masaaki Yuasa: Five Movies Collector’s Edition from GKIDS.
Buy on GKIDS