The methodology of making animation close to live-action is now outdated.
--Let me ask you about other artists. First of all, what is your opinion on Mamoru Oshii?
Anno
I don't think highly of him. "Patlabor 2: The Movie" was good, though. I mean, I know him, so I don't rate him personally.
--What about "Ghost in the Shell"?
Anno
I haven't watched it yet.
--What is your opinion of Hayao Miyazaki?
Anno
He left animation and joined the Japanese film industry, which is boring.
--Is it noticeable after "My Neighbor Totoro"?
Anno
No, there were still some good things about him until "Totoro". I like the relaxed atmosphere of that movie. Castle in the Sky is my least favorite. I don't feel like watching it these days. I had high expectations for Porco Rosso, but it had some commercial stuff in it and was trying to look cool. That's what didn't work for me.
--What about the short film "ON YOUR MARK," which was released at the same time as "Whisper of the Heart"?
Anno
There is one very good shot of a girl's expression, but other than that, I feel the expression is old-fashioned. Also, it has "Studio Ghibli Experimental Studio" at the beginning. That's sad. If you don't add the word "experimental," you're not even allowed to show that. Being a brand name is hard, isn't it? He's trying to get out of it with his next work, "The Princess Mononoke". So I'm looking forward to that. The rest is the seventh volume of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" comics. It's his best work to date.
--I see. What are some of the influences of live-action films on you? Please tell us about the fast-paced cut-scenes, especially in the latter half of the series.
Anno
That was influenced by the director Kihachi Okamoto. I was influenced by his tempo. After all, animation is a drawing, so there is a limit to the amount of information. There is a methodology to increase the amount of information by drawing details on one screen and making it realistic, thereby keeping the viewer in focus. We started it, and in short, it is a way to make animation more like live action. Katsuhiro Otomo, Hayao Miyazaki, and now Mamoru Oshii all use this method. But I think those methods are outdated. I believe that such cutting is necessary, but not for every cut. The problem is the rhythm that controls the picture as information, and it is the same with music. Change the picture rhythmically at a timing that feels good when you watch it. It is important to feel good at the moment of the cut change.
--So you're saying that it's more about direction than drawing?
Anno
Drawing is important, but it's not the only thing. It's the rhythm. It's very close to music. It's a biological thing.
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