Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama: Two Directors Create "Enjoyable Anime Production Site" [Watching the Animation Industry No. 42

It was reported last April that director Shinji Aramaki, who has directed 3DCG animations such as "Appleseed Alpha," was teaming up with director Kenji Kamiyama of "Hirunehime: The Unknown Watashi no Monogatari" to create a new "Ghost in the Shell" film. Akiba Research Institute has interviewed directors Aramaki andKamiyama independently in the past, but this time we were able to visit the motion capture site of the 3DCG animation "ULTRAMAN," which is in the midst of production prior to the "Ghost in the Shell" project, and while the fever of the interview was still lingering, we were able to talk with the two directors. I was able to talk to the two directors while they were still in the throes of the project.

Creating a New "Ghost in the Shell" Requires a New Partner

─ You have announced two films to be made by the two directors, Aramaki and Kamiyama: "ULTRAMAN" and "Ghost in the Shell" (hereinafter referred to as "Ghost in the Shell"). Can you tell us about "Ghost in the Shell" first?

Aramaki: At our studio (SOLA DIGITAL ARTS Inc., hereafter SOLA), there are many staff members who love "Ghost in the Shell". My ulterior motive is that if we were to produce "Ghost in the Shell" at SOLA, it would be very exciting and motivating for me and the staff (laughs).

Kamiyama I see (laughs).

Aramaki But it was a difficult time for me to propose "Ghost in the Shell" since the production of "Ghost in the Shell: ARISE" had been announced and the live-action movie "Ghost in the Shell" was beginning to be talked about. However, I had an opportunity to sit down with Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, president of Production I.G., at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival a few years ago. At that time, I told him directly that I wanted to do "Ghost in the Shell" in 3DCG. Surprisingly, the response was positive. And "Will Mr. Aramaki be the director? I was asked "How much will it cost? I replied on the spot, "I would like to work with Kamiyama-san.

─ Did the name of Director Kamiyama come up immediately?

Aramaki: I had known Kamiyama-san for a long time, but we didn't have a relationship where we talked all the time. However, I thought that if we were going to do "Ghost in the Shell," it would be best if Kamiyama-san directed the film.


─ Did President Ishikawa talk to Mr. Kamiyama?

Kamiyama: I think Aramaki-san asked me to do something for him, but I don't remember exactly. It was in the middle of the production of "Hirunehime: The Unknown Watashi no Monogatari" (Princess Hirune: The Story of the Unknown Watashi), but I was not sure why he wanted to use CG for "Ghost in the Shell". I didn't feel any sense of discomfort and accepted it easily as an interesting story, so I guess that's why I don't remember it well.

Aramaki If you thought it was a natural progression, I am glad to hear that.

Kamiyama: After talking with Aramaki-san over dinner several times, we went to the U.S. together.

─ ─ You don't mean location scouting, do you?

Kamiyama: It was not a location scouting trip. It was a tour with the intention that it would be easier to come up with ideas if we talked in the U.S. rather than in Japan, since we would be in a different mood. We saw movies there that we thought would be useful.

Aramaki: Joseph Chow, CEO of SOLA, and President Ishikawa accompanied us, and we wandered around the U.S. with Mr. Kamiyama while brainstorming.

─ What did you think about directing "Ghost in the Shell" again?

Kamiyama: I heard that people around me were gossiping that Kamiyama didn't want to do "Ghost in the Shell" anymore (laughs), but the timing just didn't happen to work out for me.


Aramaki: I thought we should definitely do it.

──Did you have any resistance to making the film in 3DCG?

Kamiyama: While I was working hard on "Hirunehime" in 2D, I also felt the fun and potential of 3D, so I took it as a good opportunity. Also, I was allowed to work on two TV series for "Ghost in the Shell," but the workload was too enormous for the director to handle alone. At the time, I had organized a team of screenwriters as a think tank, but it would be difficult to put such a team together again. From that point of view, I thought it would be essential to work with Mr. Aramaki, who has a wealth of experience, to create a new "Ghost in the Shell".