Zenshu: MAPPA Creates Its Own Anime IP About an Animator Who Brings Her Illustrations to Life
In an unusual move for the industry, studio MAPPA has decided to create its own original IP with Zenshu, breaking with the tradition of adapting existing mangas. The series follows Natsuko Hirose, a prodigy animator and director who accidentally enters her favorite movie A Tale of Perishing, using a magical peg bar to bring her illustrations to life. 🎨
A Tribute to the Creative Process of Animation
With 12 episodes streamed on Crunchyroll, Zenshu combines fantasy, humor, and the spirit of animated creation. Original designs by Yoshiteru Tsujino, adapted by Kayoko Ishikawa, explore the real challenges of the industry - meeting deadlines, managing expectations, and transforming creativity into visual superpowers that come to life on screen. ✨
Central Narrative Elements:- Animator protagonist who interacts with her own creation
- Peg bar transformed into a magical instrument
- Fantasy world within an animated movie
The peg bar, used by animators to align drawings, becomes a magical instrument that brings illustrations to life
Character Design with Soul and Technique
Kayoko Ishikawa, animation director and character designer, faced the challenge of balancing visual appeal and ease of animation. Using Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Wacom tablets, she adjusted colors and silhouettes, paying special attention to Natsuko's iconic long black hair, which almost became an independent character due to its animation complexity. 💻
Technical Aspects of the Design:- Character optimization to facilitate animation
- Visual consistency from Natsuko's childhood to adulthood
- Facial expressions designed to convey specific emotions
Fusion of Traditional and Digital Techniques
The creative process of Zenshu uniquely combines analog and digital methods. For scenes where Natsuko draws, real pencils and paper were used to maintain an authentic feel, while the final illustrations were processed digitally. This technical hybridization reflects the very essence of modern animation. 📝
Implemented Production Methodologies:- Traditional techniques for manual drawing scenes
- Digital processing for final illustrations
- Optimization of elements like clothing and hair for animation
Inspiration from Classic European Fantasy
The creative team drew inspiration from European fantasy movies and worlds such as The Three Musketeers and The Lord of the Rings to create a modern style with classic roots. Characters like Luke Braveheart and Memmelin maintain a recognizable look but with expressions and details that convey deep emotions, while creatures like the unicorn Unio and the robot QJ were designed to be visually charming and easy to animate. 🦄
The Reality Behind Animated Fantasy
While Natsuko turns her drawings into superpowers, MAPPA's real animators face technical challenges like the protagonist's black hair that seems to have a life of its own. This visual metaphor reminds us that even in the most creative fantasy, someone must deal with the gravity of virtual hair and the technical details that make on-screen magic possible. 😄