Production I.G Talk
February 25 at 5pm PT
WIT Studio Talk
February 25 at 6pm PT
Submit to be entered
into a prize-draw!
MAL Anime Academy will bring you information and insight into the anime industry—first-hand from the professionals. This panel is a must-see for all anime fans!
Our first guest is Animation Director Takayuki Goto from Production I.G—a studio known for such anime as Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These, Haikyuu!! and PSYCHO-PASS. He will be discussing the anime production process along with some unique characteristics of animation created in Japan.
Our second guest is George Wada, president of WIT STUDIO—a studio known for such anime as Attack on Titan (Season 1 - Season 3) and Ranking of Kings. He will be discussing the history of the studio and answering questions from the community.
Collectors will also want to keep their eyes peeled for some exciting items on sale for a very limited period starting February 25, exclusive to MAL Expo Lite 2022.
Catch-up stream available until:
March 24 8pm (PT)
February 25 5pm - (PT)
Contents
Production I.G Animation Director Takayuki Goto will be joining us to talk about animation production and what it is like to work as an animator, and he will also be using videos to show us some of the differences between Japanese and non-Japanese animation. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Executive Producer Mikio Gunji will be acting as presenter for the Production I.G talk.
Guest
Animation Director
Takayuki Goto
Goto’s prowess as a character designer became prominent when the anime Zillion won the Fan Prize in the Best Anime, Best Male Character Design and Best Female Character Design categories at the 1987 Japan Animation Awards.
The sequel OVA Zillion: Burning Night became the first work by the newly-formed studio I.G Tatsunoko, which later became Production I.G. Goto focused most of his animation work on the studio while also taking part in the management of the company. He has worked as character designer and animation director for many of Production I.G’s most well-known titles including Ghost in the Shell, Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit and Kuroko’s Basketball. He stepped down from his position as executive vice president in August 2020 to mark his 60th birthday, but continues to work as a creator for Production I.G.
The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These, for which Goto works as chief animation director, will be debuting a trilogy of theatrical releases later this year under the title Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Gekitotsu. They will be released in Japan on March 4, April 1 and May 13, respectively.
Presenter
Legends of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These
Executive Producer
Mikio Gunji
Legends of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These executive producer Mikio Gunji had a slightly unusual entry into the industry, joining Production I.G from a background in finance after becoming inspired by the anime Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. He was later appointed as an executive board member of Production I.G’s parent company, I.G Port. In 2021, Gunji was appointed vice-president of WIT STUDIO, another studio which is a subsidiary of I.G Port
He has been involved in a large number of anime titles, such as Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (as producer), The Ancient Magus’ Bride (planning) and GREAT PRETENDER (as chief of planning).
Not being bound by two-dimensions, Gunji began adding virtual reality to his credentials in 2014. He has produced a number of virtual reality works, such as Ghost in the Shell Virtual Reality Diver, which was invited to the 75th Venice Film Festival as part of its Venice Virtual reality category.
The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These, for which Gunji works as executive producer, will be debuting a trilogy of theatrical releases later this year under the title Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Gekitotsu. They will be released in Japan on March 4, April 1 and May 13, respectively.
What is Production I.G?
Started as the joint collaboration of visionary production manager Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and popular character designer Takayuki Goto, the company was established on December 15, 1987 as I.G Tatsunoko, a name bearing the initials of its founders as well as the renowned studio they were from. The new company met with success and in 1993 its founders renamed it Production I.G. Since then, the studio has enjoyed yearly growth in sales and size.
Production I.G has produced a number of acclaimed feature films, OVA (original video animation), TV shows, and videogames. For their refined storytelling and cutting-edge animation, Ghost in the Shell (1995, directed by Mamoru Oshii, N. 1 in US Billboard Top Video Sales Chart 1996), Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999, directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, Jury’s Special Prize at Fantasporto 1999), and Blood: The Last Vampire (2000, directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo), have earned critical accolades in Japan and all around the world. Innocence, directed by Mamoru Oshii in 2004, became the first Japanese animation feature ever to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes. In 2008, Mamoru Oshii’s animated feature film, The Sky Crawlers was nominated for the Golden Lion at the 65th Venice Film Festival and won 3 awards at Sitges in the same year.
In 2018, the studio launched its first Netflix Original series, B: The Beginning directed by Kazuto Nakazawa (Kill Bill: Vol. 1 animation part), which was selected in competition at Annecy and received the Jury Award at BIAF 2018. The studio’s first VR experience, Ghost in the Shell: Virtual Reality Diver (2018) was selected for Venice VR, Sitges, BIFFF and BIAF.
February 25 6pm - (PT)
Contents
WIT STUDIO president George Wada will be answering questions collected in advance from MAL users, and he will be talking a little about the 10-year history of WIT STUDIO and their latest works.
Guest
President
George Wada
Born 1978. After entering animation studio Production I.G (most well-known for Ghost in the Shell), Wada took part in hit anime such as Real Drive, Guilty Crown and Psycho-Pass.
In 2012 he founded and became president of anime studio WIT STUDIO. He acted as producer for the studio’s inaugural anime Attack on Titan (Season 1 - Season 3), which became renowned around the world for its innovation and incredibly high-quality animation. Wada later worked on other popular shows such as Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, The Ancient Magus Bride and Ranking of Kings.
In 2020 he was appointed as Executive Vice President of Production I.G. He also founded WIT Animation School together with major streaming service Netflix, helping creators develop their skills. He also endeavors to improve the working environment for those in the industry.
What is WIT STUDIO?
WIT STUDIO is a Tokyo-based animation studio founded in June 2012 with the mission “Using animation to create content that exceeds the imagination of the audience and giving them an experience they have never had before.”
Making the most of its strength as a group of top professionals, the studio incorporates its myriad of unique talents and abilities to create original works that can only be created as a team—works that will remain in the hearts of those who see them.
Without being swayed by current trends, the studio has faith in the universal values of WIT STUDIO and the creativity of its creators, and will use those to continue to transmit anime from Japan to the world.
2022 is no exception when it comes to having exciting anime. Be sure to watch out for the second half of Ranking of Kings this winter and the much-awaited Spy x Family this spring as WIT STUDIO celebrates its 10th anniversary!
The staff at Production I.G will carefully scan actual key animation stills and print them on genuine animation paper. They will then be sent to a professional framing company to produce an amazing piece of anime history to keep for many years. All the replicas sold during MAL Expo Lite 2022 will be signed directly by Animation Director Takayuki Goto himself! Each will also come with its own unique serial number. These are high-quality pieces that bring a little of the animation studio into your own home.
This is a great opportunity for fans of Takayuki Goto to support him directly by purchasing one of his signatures.
(For sale outside of Japan only)
February 25 - March 24 2022
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These – Reinhard von Lohengramm Key animation replica (Signed directly by Animation Director Takayuki Goto)
Price: $499 + shipping
SEE MORE
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These – Yang Wen-li Key animation replica (Signed directly by Animation Director Takayuki Goto)
Price: $499 + shipping
SEE MORE
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These – Siegfried Kircheis Key animation replica (Signed directly by Animation Director Takayuki Goto)
Price: $499 + shipping
SEE MORE
*Pictures are for demonstration purposes only. The placement of the autograph, the colors and such may differ to the final product.
*For sale outside of Japan only.
*Shipping costs will depend on location.
*Payment can be made via PayPal or via credit card.
*Should the number of orders received go above expectations, there is a chance that there will be a marked increase in the amount of time it takes to ship the items out. Your patience is appreciated.
©YOSHIKI TANAKA/Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These Production Committee
Receive a special gift if your question is read out on the livestream
We are accepting questions from MAL users to be asked
to Production I.G’s Takayuki Goto and WIT Studio’s George Wada.
Feel free to ask anything from general questions about anime production to questions specifically for our guests.
From Production I.G
Three fans whose questions are read out will receive a copy of Legend Of The Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Official Design Works signed by Takayuki and Mikio.
Gift Details
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Official Design Works Complete Edition
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Official Design Works Complete Edition 2
An exhaustive look at the concept materials and art for episodes 1-24 of Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These!
With everything from the rough concepts to the final designs, you can get a look at the entire process from start to finish together with detailed explanations (Japanese only)
(The first volume covers episodes 1-12 and the second volume covers episodes 13-24 of the anime)
©YOSHIKI TANAKA/SHOCHIKU・Production I.G
From WIT STUDIO
Fans whose questions are read out will receive the 2022 WIT STUDIO Calendar signed by the three founding members of WIT STUDIO—George Wada, Tetsuya Nakatake and Kyoji Asano!
The calendar features illustrations by WIT STUDIO animators which were released on the official WIT STUDIO twitter (@WIT_STUDIO) on the first of every month to celebrate 10 years of the founding of the studio.
List of Animators
- January
- Aiko Minowa
- Febraury
- Shunsuke Aoki
- March
- Tatsuya Murakami
- April
- Mai Teshima (Illustration)
Ryoko Mita (Coloring) - May
- Atsuko Nozaki
- June
- Kyoji Asano
- July
- Takuma Ebisu
- August
- Naohiro Osugi
- September
- Takaaki Chiba
- October
- Atsuko Nozaki
- November
- Satoshi Kadowaki
- December
- Kyohei Tezuka
©WIT STUDIO,Inc.
Submission period: February 17 5pm (PT) ~ February 23 5pm (PT)
OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY RULES
No purchase necessary to enter or win.
BY ENTERING OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATING IN THIS GIVEAWAY, ALL ENTRANTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY RULES, WHICH ARE FINAL AND BINDING ON ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THIS GIVEAWAY.
01. Sponsor
This giveaway is sponsored by MyAnimeList Co.,Ltd. (“MyAnimeList” or “Sponsor”) in collaboration with Production I.G.,Inc. and WIT STUDIO,Inc.. MyAnimeList, Production I.G.,Inc. and WIT STUDIO,Inc., may sometimes be referred to together herein as "Sponsors" The giveaway is void in whole or in part where prohibited by law.
02. Eligibility
This giveaway is open only to individuals who are 16 years of age or older at time of entry. Sponsor shall have the right at any time to require proof of age, identity and/or eligibility to participate in the giveaway. Failure to provide such proof or insufficient proof may result in disqualification from the giveaway in Sponsor’s sole discretion. All information requested by and supplied to Sponsor for the purpose of the giveaway must be truthful, complete, accurate and in no way misleading. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant from the giveaway should such an entrant at any stage supply unsatisfactory, untruthful, incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information. Sponsor’s employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in this giveaway. If it is found that the Applicant is a member of antisocial forces, or that the Applicant promotes the activities of antisocial forces, the Sponsor reserves the right to withdraw the Applicant’s entry.
03. Giveaway Period
The period for entering the giveaway begins 17:00 (Pacific Time) on February 17th, 2022 and closes 16:59 (Pacific Time) on February 23rd, 2022. Sponsor reserves the right to extend the giveaway entry period and amend these Official Giveaway Rules accordingly.
04. How to Enter the Giveaway
There is no purchase necessary to enter the giveaway. Application to this event must be made by following our instructions and providing the necessary information and submitting your entry via the web page designated by the Sponsor. There is no limit to the number of applications the Applicant may submit. The Sponsor may contact the Applicant directly regarding his/her application. All costs associated with the event application process are your responsibility.
The use of any system, robot, agent, or software to automatically submit entries in connection with this giveaway is prohibited and will result in all applications and entries from that person being disqualified. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for late applications or entry failures due to technological or other issues.
05. Giveaway Prizes
The prizes that are available to be won for this giveaway are the following (values in USD):
| Prize item description: | Estimated value: | No. of items available to win: |
|---|---|---|
| ・Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Official Design Works Complete Edition signed by Takayuki and Mikio ・Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These Official Design Works Complete Edition 2 signed by Takayuki Goto and Mikio Gunji | $ 113 | 3 |
| ・The 2022 WIT STUDIO Calendar signed by George Wada, Tetsuya Nakata and Kyoji Asano | $ 6 | Maximum of 15 (All fans whose questions are read out) |
Prizes must be accepted as awarded and are not transferable, assignable or convertible to cash and may not be substituted or exchanged by the winners. Prizes are subject to change.
06. Winner Selection and Odds of Winning
Applicants whose questions are selected to be read out during MAL Anime Academy on 25th February 2022 shall be selected as potential winners. The odds of being selected as a potential winner are dependent upon the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor. Sponsor will send a direct message on MyAnimeList with further information and any additional requirements to accept the prizes. If a potential winner cannot be contacted within 72 hours, fails to respond to any attempted contact, changes his/her username registered to MAL between the time of application and the time of the direct message on MyAnimeList, is otherwise in non-compliance with these Official Giveaway Rules, or declines to or cannot accept the prize to be awarded, such potential winner will be disqualified, his/her entry will be declared null and void and the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to select or randomly select (as applicable) another eligible submission, in which event these provisions shall apply to such other eligible submission.
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By entering this giveaway, you release MyAnimeList and its affiliates, employees, officers, managers and agents from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with this giveaway or transmission, failed transmission or acceptance of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or any other theory.
08. Sponsor’s Reservation of Rights
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, cancel, suspend and/or revise the rules of the giveaway for any or no reason. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual in violation of these Official Giveaway Rules or if Sponsor discovers such individual to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the giveaway or acting in an unlawful or disruptive manner. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term or provision of these Official Giveaway Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that term or provision.
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11. Contact Information
Please direct any questions or comments regarding the giveaway to MyAnimeList at campaign@myanimelist.zendesk.com
