With the decision to make a movie, the anime "Odd Taxi" will continue to attract attention in 2022! Direct interview with the producer about the charm of this work that sticks in the hearts of modern people and the behind-the-scenes production process!

The anime "Odd Taxi," which aired from April to June 2021, continues to spread explosively as it reaches its final episode with a shocking turn of events. After the broadcast, the "Blu-ray BOX Project" recorded 6,038 sets, which was more than expected. The "Odd Taxi in the Woods" movie will be released on April 1, 2022.

To get a closer look behind the scenes of such popularity, we conducted an interview with Hirofumi Ito and Rina Nakazawa of Pony Canyon's Animation Creative Division, who are involved in this project. Here is the official report, which is a must-see for all fans, including behind-the-scenes stories that can only be heard here and the production status of the movie version.

⇒Click here for the screening schedule of the anime movie.

Surprised by the great response to the last episode!
Producers paid attention to that episode in which Tanaka played an active role!

─ ─ First of all, what kind of duties are you in charge of at "Odd Taxi" as a producer and Mr. Nakazawa as an associate producer?
Ito: I was thinking about how to manage the entire production from a business standpoint, and Nakazawa was executing the on-site work.
Nakazawa That's right. I was present at the recording sessions where the cast added their voices, dubbing where sound effects and other elements were added to the images, and video editing where the final images were checked.

───This film has been the subject of a lot of speculation and excitement during its broadcast and up to the present.
Nakazawa: From the moment I read the script, I thought it was of high quality as a mystery work. I expected that the discussion would be exciting, so I was happy to see that it turned out as I expected. Surprisingly, I had expected the excitement to gradually increase after the fourth episode, "Tanaka Revolution," but the overwhelmingly positive response to the final episode (episode 13, "To Which End?") was surprisingly strong. I was surprised by the great response after the end of the show. I also felt the power of the work as it spread by word of mouth to fans of music, comedy, etc., as well as to celebrities.
Ito: I also expected it to come from the fourth episode. As a producer, I think it was an ideal hit in this day and age, not only because of SNS and word of mouth, but also because it was available on Amazon Prime Video at any time.

What do you mean by that?
Ito: In the past, even if you got excited about the final episode, you could only catch up by renting DVDs or other means.

Producing all the special features was unexpected!
The "Blu-ray BOX Project" captured the dream!

───And the "Blu-ray BOX Project," which has become a rare success story in the animation market. What was the impetus behind the launch of this project?
ITOH: Around the latter half of May 2021, I sensed that the momentum for "Odd Taxi" was building. We had not planned to do so, but we thought it would be a good idea to release a Blu-ray BOX, so we decided to launch a crowdfunding project. 300 sets were ordered, which we thought would take months to complete, but the orders reached the starting date of the last episode, thanks to the excitement of the last episode, We were able to release the product without incident.

─ ─ What is the fan base for your work like?
Ito: Looking at the orders for the Blu-ray BOX, the male-to-female ratio is about 50-50, with 70% in their 20s and 30s. Among them, many are in their early 20s, which I think is very rare in the package business. Probably, there were people in various places who were attracted to the essence of the work by its transmission on various social networking sites. We did not advertise by targeting specific age or gender groups, but because of this, I am once again glad that we were able to develop the work in a steady and omnidirectional way. I think that our advertising efforts were effective in reaching the places where people who might like this work are likely to be.

─ Is this the first time that Pony Canyon has succeeded in such a project?
Ito: As far as I know, this is a rare case for a made-to-order Blu-ray box set. We have an anime mail order site "Kyanime" operated by our Sales Solution Division, so we have the advantage of being able to send information directly to anime fans, and even before the Blu-ray BOX, we had set up a special site and sold goods such as T-shirts and caps made in collaboration with NEW ERA. I believe that we had already established a base and a lead to the core fans of "Odd Taxi". So, the storyline of ordering the Blu-ray BOX was also a good point, wasn't it?
Nakazawa That's right. The "Kyanime" team put a lot of effort into setting up the special site and developing banners within "Kyanime.

─ So the "co-creation" between departments led to the success of the project. Incidentally, Director Mugi Kinoshita said, "At first, 3,000 sets was a high target that seemed out of reach.
Ito: Me, Nakazawa, and P.I.C.S., who wrote the original story, were brainstorming about the perks for achieving the goal, but we didn't set a fine line between 2,000 and 3,000 sets at first (laughs).
Nakazawa: We later added a bonus for 2,500 sets, and since even with Blu-ray, if 3,000 copies are sold, it would be a hit, so we assumed that it would be difficult to achieve this with a box set.

───Then, 6038 sets is a huge number, isn't it?
Ito That's really outrageous (laughs).
Nakazawa: Director Kinoshita had always wanted to make an Odogawa figure for the 3,000-set bonus, so we set it as a dream.

─ ─ In the end, up to 4,400 set benefits were set, but it is also difficult to decide on the content. It was difficult to decide on the contents.
Ito: Surprisingly, we just went with the flow (laughs). (Laughs.) But we were conscious of making the product something that would make the purchaser happy when he or she received it! (But we were conscious of making the product something that would make the purchaser happy when he or she received it.

───How do you feel about this result?
Nakazawa: The order period was until September 30, and I was surprised that the number of orders doubled from 3,000 sets on the 27th to 3,000 sets on the last day.
Ito: Yes, there was a sense of elation about a week before the deadline. On the last day, I was communicating with a group of people including those from P.I.C.S. Just before 11:59 p.m., I received a call saying, "We have reached 6000 sets! I was so excited and said, "Oh, wow! I was so excited, and it was an invaluable experience.

I was so excited, and it was an invaluable experience. By the way, I guess you are still working on the bonus items, but what do you like about the current state of the project, and what items are you looking forward to seeing?
Nakazawa: The "newly-drawn staff art book" contains illustrations by Director Kinoshita and the rest of the gorgeous staff, but they were drawn without giving any spoilers, so they are special designs that you can't see in the film.

─ Wow, that's very interesting!
Nakazawa: The "Character Song EP" contains five new songs, and they are rich in variation and suited to the characters. Also, we are planning to include "audio commentaries" for all episodes. The cast and staff will include Natsuki Hanae, Souma Saito, Miki, and others, so I think it will be a great listen.
Ito: It was very difficult for the cast members to progress with their schedules, etc., since we started working after the order was placed. ......
Nakazawa: We didn't expect to produce all the extras (laughs).

───This Blu-ray box set has been eagerly awaited by fans for a re-release. Are there any plans to do so?
Ito: Unfortunately, there are no plans to re-release the Blu-ray BOX because it is a three-dimensional product. However, in the event that stock becomes available due to cancellations or other reasons, we would like to create some sort of opportunity for fans to get their hands on the product, even if just a little.

───Then I will have to check the SNS of "Odd Taxi" on a daily basis. Mr. Ito is also appearing as a personality on the web radio "ODDTAXI RADIO - I'm feeling good right now" to commemorate the achievement of the 4,400-set order.
Ito: I am allowed to do it loosely. The script is written by Mukai Amatsu, and for the free talk, I ego-search SNS every day and compile it into a ledger (laughs).

─ ─ In the second episode, we invited a capoeira teacher to demonstrate his capoeira skills, even though it was on the radio, which I thought was a wonderful piece of planning.
Ito: Because I and Daisuke Hiraga of P.I.C.S., a producer who works as a salaryman, we are able to come up with interesting projects that are not easily possible elsewhere. Also, I would like to inform you about the Blu-ray BOX I mentioned earlier as well.

No worries about the film adaptation!
What is the charm of absolutely reliable scriptwriter Wazuya Konomoto?

─ ─ And as you just announced, "Odd Taxi in the Woods the Movie" will be released on April 1, 2022!
Ito: I wanted to try my hand at a movie, but I was having a hard time deciding what to do. At that time, Asmik Ace approached me and convinced me that there was a demand to see it in a movie version.

───What is the current progress (as of December 2021)?
Ito: It is still in its infancy. We are still working on the scenario.
Nakazawa: But there will be new cuts.
Ito: No~ I think it will be interesting (laughs). (laughs) The story written by Watsuya Konomoto, the scriptwriter, is absolutely interesting, so we have no worries whatsoever.

───I'm going to go a little further, but it's not a simple sequel, is it?
Ito: Yes, it's more like a "movie adaptation. However, when P.I.C.S. presented the contents to us, we thought, "Wow! I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Nakazawa: I think it will be enjoyable for both those who have seen the anime and those who have not.

I am looking forward to it! Lastly, what do you think is the appeal of "Odd Taxi"?
Nakazawa: It's a highly accomplished mystery, and Konomoto-san's script is very appealing. It is shocking and interesting to see various incidents scattered as foreshadowing toward the final episode. Plus, the black but sympathetic and realistic lines and settings that stick with modern people make it even more interesting.

Nakazawa: Was there a line in the episode 9 that you could relate to?
Nakazawa: In episode 9, "Hero's Melancholy," Dobu said to Kabasawa, "Extreme denial and dislike of yourself. That's what I call narcissistic. Normal people are not that interested in themselves. It's a bit like the difficulties that modern people face in life, but I think it's also appealing that it can be taken mildly because it looks like an animal.

───That is also the power of the script, isn't it?
Nakazawa: Konomoto-san's conversational dramas are very appealing, and the power of his dialogue is amazing.

───Now, Mr. Ito, please tell us about your work.
Ito: I would say, in terms of something other than content, I was attracted by the fact that "Odd Taxi" has many stories from its birth to the time it became a hit.

───What was going on?
ITOH: Originally, I was approached by a different TV station, and from there it was TV Tokyo. That doesn't usually happen to me. Also, it is difficult to make an original work, and it took many years to complete this project. But we were able to make it happen because there were people from various companies who were fascinated by the quality of the scenario. That is why we were able to take on various challenges, such as the "Blu-ray Box Project. I think the appeal from a producer's point of view is that we were able to enjoy the people and environment surrounding the work.

─ ─ I am very interested in that kind of backstage.
Ito: If you are interested, please listen to the web radio where I talk in detail (laughs). The tension is like the tone of the theme song "ODDTAXI" (by Skirt and PUNPEE), including the staff members. Everyone seems to be doing the film in their own way, or as they really are. Director Kinoshita and Mr. Konomoto will definitely deliver a good product, so let's do various things in order to deliver this work! I think we are forming a formation that says, "Let's do all kinds of things to deliver this work!
Nakazawa: On first inspection, I thought there were many fashionable people.
Ito Ah, indeed. Maybe it's because the main staff, Director Kinoshita and Mr. Konomoto, were also working on their first animated film, and P.I.C.S. was also working on their first animated film. They have done cool things in their works that would not be done in an anime, and I feel that this has been accepted. I think there was an accumulation of the creators in each section expressing their work in a natural way, as if they were asked to do something like this.

───That must have been what made the work so original to the viewers.
Ito: I think it was because of the participation of so many different players, not only from the animation industry. I also feel that this work was made possible because we are involved in both animation and music. If you want to create a work like "Odd Taxi," I hope you will join Pony Canyon (laughs).

[Film information
■" Odd Taxi in the Woods " movie
Friday, April 1, 2022 in theaters

Special Video

Odd Taxi" - 13 episodes available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
# Story

<Story> "Odd Taxi in the Woods
Where to, customer? It should be a familiar town, but there is something a little different about this town. Kotorogawa, a cab driver, leads an ordinary life. He has no relatives, doesn't get involved with other people, and is a bit eccentric and uncommunicative. His hobbies are rakugo, which he listens to before going to bed, and the radio, which he listens to while working. The only friends he has are his family doctor, Tsuyoshi, and a classmate from high school, Kakihana. All he carries are customers who are somewhat peculiar. Kabasawa, a university student who wants to get the word out, Shirakawa, a nurse who is hiding something, homo sapiens, a duo of comedians who can't seem to sell, Dob, a street thug, Mystery Kiss, a successful idol... The conversations of these people, who should be nothing, eventually lead to a girl who has gone missing.

<Cast
Kotogawa / Hanae Natsuki
Shirakawa / Riho Iida
Tsuyoshi / Ryohei Kimura
Kakihana／Kouhei Yamaguchi
Nikaido Rui／Suzuko Mimori
Shiho Ichimura / Moeka Koizumi
Yuki Sanya / Manatsu Murakami
Daimon Brother / Kosei (Miki)
Daimon Brother / Aki (Miki)
Shibagaki (Homo sapiens) / Yusuke (Diane)
Baba (Homo sapiens) / Atsuhiro Tsuda (Diane)
and others

<Staff> Planning/Original Story
Planning/Original Story : P.I.C.S.
Screenplay : Watsuya Konomoto
Director : Mugi Kinoshita
Assistant Director : Norio Nitta
Character Design: Mugi Kinoshita, Hiromi Nakayama
Art Director: Kenji Kato
Color Designer: Tatsue Ozeki
Director of Photography: Masashi Amada
Editing: Yoshiki Gouda
Sound Director: Kohei Yoshida
Sound Production: Pony Canyon Enterprises
Music: PUNPEE VaVa OMSB
Music Production Cooperation: SUMMIT, Inc.
Music Production: Pony Canyon
Animation Production: P.I.C.S. x OLM
Distributor: Asmik Ace
Production: Eiga Odogawa Kotsu Partners

Official website: #
Official Twitter: #
Official Instagram: #
Official YouTube channel: #

Odd Taxi x SaunaCamp. collaboration website.

# Odd Taxi x SaunaCamp. collaboration site

Collaboration goods sold by Kyanime can be purchased here.
# SaunaCamp.

Collaboration goods sold by SaunaCamp.
# (C) P.I.C.

(C) P.I.C.S. / Odogawa Transportation Partners