CATDOLL: The 20th Kobe Animation Award in Japan was announced, and Shirobako JOJO was on the list

The Kobe Animation Award is jointly planned by the city of Kobe, Japan and the "Animation Kobe Executive Committee". The first Kobe Animation Award was held in 1996 and has been held for the 20th time. At present, it should be a more authoritative election project in the Japanese animation industry. Since the first victory of Hideaki Anno's team, more animation producers have been awarded this honor every year and become known to everyone. Among them, the more famous ones include Hiroyuki Imaishi, the director of "Gurren Lagann", Tsutomu Mizushima, the director of "Girls und Panzer", and Makoto Kishi, the director of "Danganronpa". Animations such as "EVA", "Attack on Titan", and "Fullmetal Alchemist" have all won this honor.

TV Work Award Winner: Shirobako

Reasons for selection: At first glance, the theme of "Shirobako" seems to be accepted only by people in the industry, but the world view and character settings of the work can not only infect the current animation industry, but also resonate with the current era and the audience. From the perspective of work alone, this is a universal entertainment work, which is why it has achieved its current popularity. Looking back, a theme like "Shirobako" is so popular that even if there are imitators in the future, they can't get rid of the shadow of this work anyway. In this sense, I am afraid that it will become a unique work for some time to come. And the development of the plot is unimaginable. I really hope to see the theater version!

Winner of the Movie Award: "Ghost in the Shell: 2013"

Reasons for selection: By the 20th Anime Kobe Award, we have already recognized many animations, including the "Ghost in the Shell" series. This work tells the story of how Public Security Section 9 was established in Kobe City and tells the story of people and the Internet. It has also cooperated with Kobe and launched many projects. Especially after the earthquake, it used Kobe as a starting point to send a signal of animation culture to the outside world, which just reflects the purpose of the Anime Kobe Award. Therefore, it is well-deserved as the best work of this year. The posture of Public Security Section 9 gathering together and the handsome action scenes make people feel goose bumps while watching. We look forward to such outstanding works being staged in Kobe in the future.

Theme Song Award Winner: JOJO's Bizarre Adventure Part 3 Theme Song OP2 "The Memory of the Blood of Jojo ~End of the World~"

Reasons for selection: Anime theme songs can be described as "a riot of colour". We believe that anime theme songs must exist for the work, and it is difficult to remember them for fans. The theme song of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" has been hitting the hearts of the audience with the weight of a Taiga drama since the first part, and has evolved along with the plot. And this kind of synchronization between the song and the plot is exactly the most ideal form of theme songs today, right? This is a song that makes people recall the animation and sing along, and it is very exciting as the origin of the animation theme song.

Individual Award Winner: Seiji Mizushima

Reasons for selection: Can we find the elements of "innovation" in the animation works directed by director Seiji Mizushima? "Expelled From Paradise-", which was released in November last year, is a full CG animation. It is not only the action scenes of the robots, but also the charming expressions of the protagonists, which make people sigh that "only full CG can do this". Isn't this a technological revolution? In short, Angela is handsome and cute. In the 12 episodes of "T-Baby's Tragic Daily Dreams" broadcast in the summer of 2015, the mysterious yellow animals were presented with digital painting technology that does not use paper at all. If you just have ordinary determination, it is impossible to achieve these new techniques - not to mention that this is making animation. Director Mizushima has frequently participated in various work activities since the production of "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Mobile Suit Gundam 00", and has worked hard to create new value through "dialogue" with anime fans. There is no doubt that the character of Seiji Mizushima is the representative of "innovation" in the animation industry.

Special Award Winner: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

Reason for selection: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko returned to the animation industry 25 years later with "Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN", which was a great touch for the animation industry this year. And through works such as "Mobile Suit Gundam", what Yasuhiko created as an animator has now become the blood of Japanese animation. Now I feel again: Isn't it precisely "Mobile Suit Gundam" that made boys and girls realize the unfathomable charm of animation and focus all their attention on the TV screen? After that, Yasuhiko, who left the animation industry, launched many masterpieces as a cartoonist, but I think anime fans have never forgotten the identity of "animator Yoshikazu Yasuhiko". At the 20th Animation Kobe Award, we can see Yoshikazu Yasuhiko return to the animation production site, and for this, we once again want to convey our gratitude to him in the form of a special award.