Bones Film’s adaptation of Kei Urana’s Kodansha manga briefly, Gachiakutahas risen through the ranks as a promising anime, with every fan championing just a little bit to see if its second season will further cement its legacy as the next big thing. Although we will have to wait a little longer to see how it will turn out love and the crew is set to exceed expectations even further, as we got the inside scoop on the Japanese creators behind the cool new action anime on the block, who were instrumental in making its first season a hit. We also give you a look at how the top is made.
He spoke with io9 at Anime Expo Gachiakuta director Fumihiko Suganuma and Rudo voice actor Aoi Ichikawa about what sparked their interest in bringing the series to anime, their creative approach to handling difficult, sensitive scenes, and their thoughts on the growing fandom.
Isaiah Colbert, io9: What resonated with both of you about the world and the themes in the beginning Gachiakuta did that make you want to be a part of anime?
Aoi Ichikawa: I have to say a little bit of resonance with Rudo’s character because he’s just the epitome of rage. That’s what makes him him. All this emotional explosiveness kind of ignites her life and I feel like I resonate with those very intense emotions.
Fumihiko Suganuma: It was probably the strength of the original manga art that drew me to it, as it is quite different from the popular art styles in Japan. It’s very original and doesn’t follow the current trend of manga art. I really feel that art has so much power that I am drawn to it.
io9: Was there a particular scene or moment during the production that was particularly challenging that made it all the sweeter to finally see it come to fruition?
Ichikawa: The first episode was really difficult because (Rudo) falls from grace… without that, you can’t really show his anger and the motivation behind Rudo’s character. So this was the height of his anger. And it was really hard to express. But without being able to express that falling scene, Rudo can’t exist for the rest of the series because that was his starting point.
When you sit and watch the finished footage during the broadcast in the first episode, I really felt that this was the place Gachiakuta waetc it finally starts. And I really felt accomplished when I looked at it, because it moved me so much. It was a very heartwarming moment, like “it all starts here.”
Suganuma: The second half of anime adaptations is always a battle against time. I felt a little hesitant, but I made very strict requests to my staff, including many adjustments, and the staff worked really hard and helped me a lot. So it was very gratifying that every episode aired on time. And I am grateful to my entire staff for making it happen.
io9: One of the moments that resonated strongly with the audience was Amon’s storyline, especially the way the anime portrayed his suffering and his heartfelt conversation with Rudo about their conflicting ideals. What made you approach that scene with the sensitivity it required, from your perspective, and how did each of you ensure it was handled with the care it deserved?
Ichikawa: I felt the emotional flow while reading the script and reading the manga. But it seems to me that Rudo and Amo’s hearts are not completely connected. They have one sided emotions and it’s not a proper dialogue. So I really felt like I shouldn’t really resonate for that situation, because I feel like I, as an actor, have to cut off my emotions and resonance towards the scene because Rudo’s not going to make it.
Suganuma: The whole Amo arc was pretty sensitive material. It’s my style—my policy—to make it a little matter-of-fact and not too sensationalized, because the dialogue in these scenes really needs to be heard by the audience. Because what they say is very important. I didn’t want the visuals to get in the way of what they were saying, so I set up the scene so that the dialogue came first.
io9: Gachiakuta Thanks to the series’ mix of graffiti art and hip-hop-influenced soundtrack, the show’s setting has a very specific tone and energy, which has led to the show being celebrated online as a cultural exchange between Japan and Japan. Black culture in America through memes, fan art and cosplay. What does that significance mean to you as the artists who helped make this adaptation happen?
Ichikawa: I am very happy about it because we enjoy the series together. And it is in love Gachiakuta– so be it cosplay or fanart, whatever – everyone is expressing their love and trying to build the community as a whole. So I am really very happy.
Suganuma: First of all, so. I am very happy to see the reception. I didn’t know much about graffiti and hip-hop. The fact that it was so widely accepted made me feel like I needed to learn more about these cultures so I could do better.
io9: Since then Gachiakuta‘s magic system explores the emotional weight that objects can carry, what everyday item from your own life would make the perfect ‘giving’ object for you in the world of anime?
Ichikawa: my Gachiakuta object will be my script. Because I wouldn’t be Rudo without it. It’s my world, so it must be my thing.
Suganuma: I would have to say manga because I love reading manga. It even makes me think, “Imagine if I were a manga artist.” It’s probably because I love manga so much that I wanted to take a step back and have something to do with it, but I can still enjoy it as a reader.
Gachiakuta Season 2 is in production.
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