tv anime series [OSHI PAS KO]continues to wow fans with its amazing animation style and art. Chief Animation Director Tomoya Atsumi briefly spoke to Anime Trending about the behind-the-scenes process via email.
What was your first reaction when you had the chance to join the production?
Tomoya Atsumi: I have previously worked with Animation Studio Doga Kobo. I was offered to be the chief animation director of [OSHI PAS KO] Head of Producer Kobayashi.
After reading the first volume of the manga, I remember feeling very excited to be able to participate in such interesting work.
Could you talk about the working relationship and collaboration with Kanna Hirayama? What advice and guidance did she provide?
Character designer Kanna Hirayama corrected and adjusted the nuances of the illustration as character designer, in addition to my adjustments. There is an expressiveness that only Hirayama-san can show through his work, so we cooperated with each other.
I also participated as the main animation director for Episode 1, so I got to see Hirayama-san’s work firsthand. By watching Hirayama-san, I was able to pay close attention and learn how to draw eyes and manage loose hair.
Afterwards, I had the opportunity to meet Hirayama-san in person. Because of my experience with her on the first episode, I consulted her on specific points in sakuga, such as in which cup to put reflected light..
What appealed to you the most about getting to work? [OSHI PAS KO]?
Of course, in addition to being able to work on such an exciting project, I must say that I most expected to portray the characters’ personalities through the movements of the original work.
From reading the manga, there were many difficult aspects to explore in how to show their actions through animation. This not only includes the actual gameplay of the characters, but also their day-to-day activities that the characters engage in when they live. I was really looking forward to expressing that particular element.
Which cut of the currently released episodes is your favorite and why?
Although it may seem wrong to say my favorite, but when it comes to my most impressive scene, it’s the one where Ai dies. The subtle use of colors, the detailed use of lines, and the beautiful melody of the musical composition conveyed Ai’s true feelings in every way possible.
Although it was a sad scene, it was also a great scene.
Which character do you like to draw the most?
I think it’s Aqua. He’s a character whose emotions don’t easily come out on the surface. It was fun to express those subtle emotions through art.
So far, have there been any cuts that have proven particularly difficult to fix?
Kana Arima in general.
I don’t think it’s wrong to say that the third episode, which I was responsible for, is dubbed the Kana Arima episode. That’s when she comes in and really shows her character. From her bob hairstyle to her sparkling eyes, I struggled to keep these elements balanced with each other in my drawings. Personally, I think it’s difficult to draw characters with symmetrical hairstyles.
Although I struggled, with Hirayama-san’s help, I think I was able to show Kana Arima’s different expressions.
What message do you want to convey to viewers?
Thank you for always watching the anime series. I do my best every day, so that the uniqueness of the manga and the hearts of the characters are conveyed through the anime, even a little. I hope you will like this work by watching it.
Please keep enjoying [OSHI PAS KO]!
Special thanks to Tomoya Atsumi and KADOKAWA for this opportunity. [OSHI PAS KO] is now streaming on HiDive and other platforms. Yen Press publishes the manga in English.
For more information on [OSHI PAS KO]check the official Twitter account EN @oshinoko_global.