Sunrise Festival 2019 Special】Director Mitsuo Fukuda: "I want to make a sequel someday"──"Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SAGA" Talk Event Report

Sunrise Festival 2019 Fugetsu, an annual event in which Sunrise, which has produced numerous animation works, screened their films in movie theaters every day, was held from September 13, 2019 to September 27, 2019.

Here is a report from the "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SAGA" post-screening talk show held at Theatre Shinjuku in Tokyo on Wednesday, September 25. The director of the film, Fukuda Mitsuo, took the stage.

Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula" started as a TV animation series in 1991. It depicts fierce battles and dramas in the next generation of motor sports "Cyber Formula", followed by "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula 11", "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula ZERO", "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SAGA", "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SIN" and OVA series. The "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SAGA" screened this time is set in the near future (2019-2020) from the perspective of that time, and the event was held in the same era as the world of the work.

In commemoration of the Sunrise Festival feature, five people were selected by drawing to receive a "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SAGA" poster as a visitor's prize!

For more details, please refer to the article linked below.

Director Fukuda, who saw the completed episode 1 for the first time at a screening due to his busy production schedule at the time, said, "That's not right. I felt that it should have been a little more interesting, and I wondered why. Looking at it again with my own eyes, having experienced many things since then, I see that the balance is not right. Regarding the production staff, he said, "This is a work in which many things have been renewed. Ryosawa (Chiaki) is now officially credited as the series director. When I look at it now, I thought the scenario was a little too ironic (laugh). The character design was changed from Takahiro Yoshimatsu to Hirokazu Hisayuki. Instead of rewriting Mr. Yoshimatsu's design, I went back to Mutsumi Inomata's original plan and had him design the characters anew. We also asked Inomata-san to do all of the characters' personal clothing, and I was surprised by the extensive use of vinyl and transparent materials," he said.

The first four episodes of "SAGA" were screened at this screening. Director Fukuda said, "Around episode 4, many things come together. In the beginning, Hayato has become too much of an adult, but around episode 4, you get the feeling that he is coming back to his old self. Hayato's attitude is said to be harsh, but it is not Hayato who is harsh, but Ryozawa, the scriptwriter," he said, making fans laugh.

Regarding the characters, he said, "Hayato is childish and selfish, but we thought that you can't become a champion unless you are that strong. Randall is a good guy. Shinjo-san is a man who shines when he is bullied. Henri was my favorite.

Regarding Asuka's shower scene, which was also included in the screening, "During the TV series, the director asked me why there was no shower scene when there were so many cute girls in the film, and I thought that such a service was necessary for the TV series, so I have included it since then. It is not that I am a dirty person," said Fukuda, "Asuka's shower scene was drawn by the animation director, Hisayuki-san. He told me that he was not good at drawing fat (breasts) because he is the type of person who draws the skeleton with great care.

In his closing remarks, Director Fukuda said, "This is a work that is my starting point and where I met wonderful staff. Cyber's fans are really nice people, and I am very happy to have done this work. I would like to do a sequel someday, although it can't be right away. Thank you so much," he said, closing his talk with enthusiasm and gratitude for a sequel.

After the event, we interviewed Director Mitsuo Fukuda!

───What did you think of today's event?

Director Fukuda: Cyber is like the time axis of the world of the work (matching the time period), and we have an event every year. I am very happy that so many people come to the event every time. There are many people who support me forever.

─ How do you feel now that the near future, the setting of your work, has become a reality?

Director Fukuda: The circuit has not changed much. What I feel has changed are the gadgets, such as PCs and cell phones.

─ ─ What kind of work is "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula" for you?

Director Fukuda: It was my debut TV series as a director. It was not a great commercial success, but it was because of the passionate support from the fans that I was allowed to continue making the video series. I am very attached to this work because it was created together with the fans and I was allowed to do what I wanted to do. It was my starting point and the place where I was allowed to grow.

Please give a message to your fans.

Director Fukuda: Thank you for your constant support. Whenever I have the opportunity, I would like to go out and share my thoughts with you. Thank you for your continued support of Cyber.

(Reporting and writing by Kiri Nakazato)

Five winners will be selected by lottery to receivea "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula SAGA" poster as aSunrise Festival visitor'sprize!

For details, please click the link below!