Animation World History

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Page 17 of 21

“Wild Side”

September 19, 2024 /

The animated music video example that I have chosen to showcase today is the opening title for season one of “Beastars”, a Netflix original anime series based on popular manga series by Paru Itagaki (板垣 巴留).  

This opening theme song titled “Wild Side” is composed and arranged by the multinational hip-hop/funk band “ALI” (Alien Liberty International), with lyrics by Imamura Leo and Inoue Jin. (Wild Side (Romanized) – ALI | Genius Lyrics) Unlike the anime itself, (animated in 3D by Studio Orange) this opening sequence was animated by “Dwarf Studios” in stop-motion. (Beastars -by Dwarf Studios | Stop Motion Magazine) I have seen Michiya Katou cited as the Director, storyboarder, and editor. I have also seen in an interview with Studio Orange producer Waki ​​Sumitaka; ”We asked Michiya Kato of Cyclone Graphics to create this stop-motion animation” (クリエイターのこだわりを体感せよ！「『BEASTERS』展～東宝×オレンジの世界～展示会」 – れポたま！)

This may be down to a translation error, and for posterity, I will also be listing the unspecified names I found at the bottom of the opening posted on YouTube; Chikahiro Kobayashi, Ayaka Senbongi, Yuki Ono, Atsumi Tanezaki, Junya Enoki, Yuma Uchida, Takeo Otsuka, Naoto Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Shimotsuma, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Fukushi Ochiai, Takaaki Torajima, Sayumi Watanabe, Genki Muro, Yuichi Iguchi, Yuko Hara, Ikuto Kanemasa, AkaneOuchi, Hibiki Yamamura, Sakura Ando, Akio Otsuka, Mitsuaki Hoshino, Keno Horiuchi. 

Beastars as an anime series is already unique in its animation style; mostly 3D CG method with a lower framerate, and some 2D aspects incorporated. There has been some critique on the visual look, but it has a clean, expressive look making the adjustment bearable. This makes for the unique choice of an opening even more delightful in its rarity.

 A stop-motion opening to an anime is unheard of, and the way they tell a story is incredibly cinematic and beautiful. The character animation is fluid, charming, and expressive. I don’t think it’s inaccurate to say that many anime (or any series opening in general) are less thoroughly planned out, and simply show cleaned-up scenes or showcase the characters. This certainly isn’t a problem but compared to the Beastars season 1 opening depicts the stories’ main conflict in a meaningful and visually exciting manner. 

Part of the reason I adore this music video/opening so much is its attachment to the anime (I love the story), but the sheer artistry of this stop motion influences my love as well. It’s fluid, dramatic, and beautiful. It encapsulates the beats of a story I love and tells us the overarching theme in minutes. 

Wild Side (Romanized) – ALI | Genius Lyrics

TVアニメ「BEASTARS」ノンクレジット OP

Paru Itagaki – Wikipedia

Wild Side | Beastars Wiki

TVアニメ「BEASTARS ビースターズ」

Beastars -by Dwarf Studios | Stop Motion Magazine

クリエイターのこだわりを体感せよ！「『BEASTERS』展～東宝×オレンジの世界～展示会」 – れポたま！

Studio Orange addresses the gripes about CG use in anime

Beastars (TV Series 2019– ) – Series Cast & Crew – IMDb

Music in Animation

September 19, 2024 /

By Meghan Warner

The Wolf- SIAMÉS

https://youtu.be/lX44CAz-JhU?si=LJ5e9xExDLpI2JsS (Thumbnail not working? Link works fine)

The technique used for this animation was frame by frame 2D unique drawings which come together to give the piece a hauntingly unique work.

Direction: Fer Suniga & RUDO Co. Animated & Produced by RUDO Co. Art Direction & Animation by RUDO Co. Script by Fer Suniga Lead Animators: Ezequiel Torres & Pablo Rafael Roldán

While the exact impact of this video on the animation industry would be hard to find, the video itself has 201 MILLION views. It has been a staple of well done animated music videos for a long time, 7 years to be exact. I consider the fluidity of the work to be particularly amazing, when you consider it was animated in 2D it becomes apparent how remarkably 3D it appears. This animation is important to me because about 7 years ago it was one of the key factors in deciding my love of art and animation!

The Wolf – RUDO. (n.d.).  https://rudocompany.com/works/the-wolf/

The Wolf- SIAMÉS, Apr 21, 2017 https://youtu.be/lX44CAz-JhU?si=ms8WMvn1th5pW9oO

Animated Music Video

September 19, 2024 /

群青

The animation for the music video “群青” by YOASOBI was created In collaboration in adaptation of the manga “Blue Period.” A manga that delves into the protagonist’s awakening to the world of art and the emotional pain that follows. The visuals are designed to complement the song’s themes of artistic struggle, self-expression, and a journey towards achieving personal independence and freedom. It delves into themes of self-realization and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams and freedom. Resonating with the idea that true freedom is achieved only through independence, both emotionally and intellectually. The deliberate use of vibrant color and the abstract visuals all come together to portray the highs and lows of this journey.

These types of animations holds a significant importance to me because of how they visually and emotionally communicate complex human experiences that words alone often cannot fully convey. I can not only relate to these kinds of works, but also know that they’re basically asking you through clips of images the essence of your own existence, what your purpose.

Sources

https://www.reddit.com/r/YOASOBI/comments/12l09a3/whats_the_lore_of_gunjo/
https://www.reddit.com/r/YOASOBI/comments/12l09a3/whats_the_lore_of_gunjo/

https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/群青_(歌曲)

Music & Animation

September 18, 2024 /

(And the Animated Music Video that Changed the Trajectory of my Life)

FREAK OF THE WEEK

Freak of the Week by Freak Kitchen is a rock song (according to google- please don’t kill me for messing up the sub-genres of rock and metal and all those sub cultures-!! Nothing but respect to them!!) released in 2014. The music video coming out not quite a year after the song’s release. It combines 3D backgrounds and staging with rotoscoping to give it it’s rough lines but volumetrically and visually pleasing look. Their goal was to create something that looked ‘rough’ and ‘absolutely retro’ and to me? They definitely achieved that.

Directed by Juanjo Guarnido, this (roughly) 4 and 1/2 animated music video is visually stunning. Personally I have never seen anything like it before, and admittedly have not seen much like it since. From the visually appealing character designs (all based off of the band members) to the over-the-top, almost whimsical rock aesthetic and feeling, to the animation itself it is absolutely breathtaking. This can partly be in thanks to Julien Rossire, the art director, who when asked in an interview about the production, said:

“When he [Juanjo Guarnido] told me his story, or rather- his idea, I was instantly taken by it.”

Julien Rossire (in ‘the making of freak of the week’)

Which is no surprise when you look at some of the background of Mr Guarnido. He worked on legendary Disney animated films such as; Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan and Atlantis. He is the creator of the french comic series Blacksad, and he was the one who provided the funds to create this music video. But he certainly didn’t do it himself.

The funds were raised on Kickstarter.

All of the $140,000 were given to the kickstarter fundraiser to make this music video. (Which, mind you- is incredibly cheap for this level of production!) There was such a love and passion and call for 2D animation- for this amazing concept of a project to come to fruition, that the fans of the music, the fans of the artist, and just fans of independent animation in general raised enough money to make this brilliant animation. And this is where I personally think that this work set an example. There was no demand for this from a studio, this wasn’t expected of the band, they weren’t known for their awesome animated music videos. No big company came in and funded this- but it proved to people (animators and non animators alike) that when there is passion and skill and talent and drive, and most importantly when the funding can be found/made- something really brilliant comes out of it. It helped show bands and animators that it can be done! It is a brilliant success story. Since then, more and more intricately animated music videos have come out that not only prioritize the showcasing of the music, but also the vision that the music can bring to other creatives.

Personally, part of the reason why I am so passionate about this piece of work is because it is one of the works of animation that really made me want to become an animator. I think it is so different from the types of animation I want to create purely based on aesthetics- but when you look deeper at the story behind it- the crowd fundraising, the passion, the love of 2D animation, the desire to keep those rough lines in the animation? All of that just speaks to me on such a meaningful level. Seeing this as a kid is so incredible because it shows you that meaningful and stunning animation isn’t just for movies- it isn’t just for blockbusters- and it isn’t only achievable when you have a huge company like Disney or Warner Brothers funding you. It can be done for something short- something fun! It can be done for music. Funds can come from anyone who has a passion for the arts and a penny to give.

“Maybe in a tiny little way I contributed so people can become interested in hand-drawn animation again. I hope so.”

Juanjo Guarnido (in an interview with cartoon brew)

SOURCES

Edwards, C. “Juanjo Guarnido’s ‘Freak of the Week’ Is a Traditionally Animated Charmer and Stunner.” Cartoon Brew, 29 Oct. 2014, www.cartoonbrew.com/music-videos/juanjo-guarnidos-freak-of-the-week-is-a-traditionally-animated-charmer-stunner-104614.html. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.

The Making of Freak of the Week. YouTube, uploaded by Juanjo Guarnido, 9 Dec. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ33WBtOavQ&t=149s. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.

Guarnido, Juanjo. Freak of the Week – Freak Kitchen (Official Video). YouTube, 5 Oct. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2vzBdIejVY. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.

WATCH FREAK OF THE WEEK HERE:

Music and animation: an unsung duo

September 18, 2024 /

This music video was made for the 2023 Valorant Championship and had this beautiful animation accompany it. while the company Wizz is a collection of animators and directors, each project has its own directors and sometimes separate animators. this project was by the group CRCR, while no interviews exist for this project, I was able to find this on their website.

“CRCR have garnered international attention for their approach of 2D animation and storytelling. As mixed-media innovators and artists, CRCR use a wide graphic palette to direct commercials, music videos and game trailers with an ever-increasing artistic vision and energy”

– CRCR

OPINION TIME

while their influences were guided by Riot, the game company for which the music and the animation were produced for. CRCR still embedded its core graphic style and amazing FX animation into the video.

While i don’t think it had much impact on the industry as a whole but I can say as a viewer and lover of the game and music, the potent style and emotion that this animation gives me is very palpable.

what I find amazing about their work is their use of 3d camera tracking, they set their frames in these (I can only imagine) complex parallax systems, and perhaps they even use 3D software to position their 2D backgrounds on planes. while I don’t know this for sure, riot has often used these methods in other videos, and I can only assume the same is done here

this music video is important to me because it became part of my confidence music playlist or Cimp as I like to call it (the I is silent). the story about growing up around a video game resonates with me heavily as my entire life and friendships have often centered around connecting through gameplay.

SOURCES

CRCR ANIMATION STUDIO. “VCT23 / TICKING AWAY – CRCR.” CRCR, 8 June 2024, crcr.fr/project/vct23.

VALORANT. “Ticking Away Ft. Grabbitz and Bbno$ (Official Music Video) // VALORANT Champions 2023 Anthem.” YouTube, 31 July 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdZN8PI3MqM.

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