Shinji Aramaki (荒牧 伸志, Aramaki Shinji, born 2 October 1960) is a Japanese anime director and mechanical designer from Fukuoka Prefecture. He graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Fukuoka High School and Okayama University. He was a member of Artmic and is currently the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Sola Digital Arts.[1] He is a leading figure in 3DCG animation in Japan.[2][3]
Shinji Aramaki | |
|---|---|
荒牧 伸志 | |
 Aramaki at the Ready Player One Japan premiere in 2018 | |
| Born | 2 October 1960 Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Alma mater | Okayama University |
| Occupation(s) | Anime director and mechanical designer |
History
editFrom middle school through high school, Aramaki was influenced by Space Battleship Yamato, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Star Wars, and aspired to a career in the visual arts.[4] During his time at Okayama University, he was a member of the manga club. One of his best-known works from his time in the manga club was the self-produced animation Moonstruck Artemis.
Aramaki himself stated that he did not have a particular desire to work in the animation industry, but rather went into it because he could draw pictures and because the industry had a wide range of opportunities.[4] He does not distinguish between animation and live-action genres, and says that the spread of digital technology has made it easier for him to work in the animation and live-action fields, as the boundary between the two has disappeared.[4] He is particularly well known for his work on anime featuring mecha of the sort that can transform into powered exoskeletons and motorcycles.[5]
In 2004, he directed Appleseed, the world's first 3D live anime that introduced motion capture, which had a great impact on creators not only in Japan but also around the world.
In October 2011, Aramaki participated in a panel discussion at the VFX-JAPAN Kickoff Meeting.[6][7]
Shinji and Kenji Kamiyama directed the initial season of Blade Runner: Black Lotus, an anime for Adult Swim and Crunchyroll.[8][9][10]
Work
editAs director
edit- Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (director, 1987)
- Megazone 23 III (director, 1989, with Ken'ichi Yatagai)
- Genesis Survivor Gaiarth (director, 1992–1993)
- Appleseed (director, 2004)[11]
- Appleseed Ex Machina (director, 2007)[11]
- Viper's Creed (chief director, 2009)
- Halo Legends, episode The Package (director, 2010)
- Starship Troopers: Invasion (director, 2012)[12]
- Harlock: Space Pirate (director, 2013)[13][14][15]
- Appleseed Alpha (director, 2014)[16]
- Evangelion: Another Impact (director, 2014)[17]
- Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars (director, 2017, with Masaru Matsumoto)
- Ultraman (director, 2019–2023, with Kenji Kamiyama)
- Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045 (director, 2020–2022, with Kenji Kamiyama)
- Blade Runner: Black Lotus (director, 2021–2022, with Kenji Kamiyama)
As designer
edit- Genesis Climber MOSPEADA (mechanical design, 1983–1984)
- Pole Position (mechanical design, 1984)
- The Transformers (mechanical design, 1984–1987)[18]
- Megazone 23 (mechanical design, 1985–1989)
- M.A.S.K. (mechanical design, 1985–1986)
- Bubblegum Crisis (production design, 1987–1991)
- Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (mechanical design, 1988)
- The New Adventures of He-Man (mechanical design, 1990)
- Bubblegum Crash (production design, 1991)
- Genesis Survivor Gaiarth (mechanical design, 1992–1993)
- Gasaraki (mechanical design, 1998–1999)
- Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 (mecha design, 1998–1999)
- Digimon Tamers (CG design, 2001–2002)
- s-CRY-ed (design works, 2001)
- Crush Gear Turbo (mechanical design, 2001–2003)
- Witch Hunter Robin (design works, 2002)
- Wolf's Rain (mechanical design, 2003)
- Astro Boy (2003 TV series) (mechanical design, 2003–2004)
- Fullmetal Alchemist (production design, 2003–2004)
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (mechanical design, 2004–2009)
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (mechanical design, 2004)
- Sugar Sugar Rune (makai art concept, 2005–2006)
- Project Blue Earth SOS (mechanical design, 2006)
- Reideen (mechanical design, 2007)
- Kishin Taisen Gigantic Formula (mechanical design (Nephthys-IX), 2007)
- Soul Eater (conceptual design, 2008)
- Halo Legends (2010), episodes Prototype (power suit designer) and The Package (mechanical designer)
- Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto (conceptual design, 2010–2011)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (mechanical design, 2011)
- Tenkai Knights (concept design, 2013)
- Blade Runner Black Out 2022 (spinner design, 2017)
Other
edit- Kappa (CG design)
- Ping Pong (table-tennis scene CG)
- Genocyber (producer, 1994)
- Sonic Unleashed (CG movie director)
- Gasaraki (storyboard writer of episode 25, 1998-1999)
- Halo Legends (creative advisor, 2010)
References
edit- ^ 満を持して世界に挑む！ 映画『スターシップ・トゥルーパーズ インベイジョン』荒牧伸志監督インタビュー | FEATURE | CGWORLD.jp
- ^ 日本における3DCGアニメの第一人者
- ^ "3DCG の夜明け 〜日本のフル CG アニメの未を探る〜". AREA JAPAN. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Yōta Kojō (May 2004). "トクサツ遺伝子研究所 荒牧伸志インタビュー". Uchusen. Vol. 112. Asahi Sonorama. p. 111. 01843-05.
- ^ "Midnight Eye interview: Shinji Aramaki". Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ VFX-JAPANの設立目指す キックオフミーティング
- ^ 「VFX-JAPAN」キックオフミーティングをふりかえる | FEATURE | CGWORLD.jp
- ^ Otterson, Joe (29 November 2018). "Blade Runner Anime Series". Variety. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Gurwin, Gabe (29 November 2018). "BLADE RUNNER ANIME SERIES COMING TO CARTOON NETWORK, CRUNCHYROLL". IGN. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (29 November 2018). "Adult Swim Announces New "Blade Runner" Anime Series". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Appleseed Ex Machina" Newtype USA 6 (12) 20. December 2007. ISSN 1541-4817.
- ^ "Official website and blog states him as director".
- ^ "Captain Harlock's New CG Pilot Images, Staff Revealed". Anime News Network.
- ^ Young, Al. "First Trailer for SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK". Twitch.
- ^ "Work in progress 2011". Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Appleseed Alpha CG Anime Film's 1st Trailer Posted". Anime News Network.
- ^ http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-06/evangelion-another-impact-short-by-appleseed-aramaki-streamed/.84154 | 'Evangelion:Another Impact' Short by Appleseed's Aramaki Streamed
- ^ Alt, Matt. "Machine Logic". Otaku USA. Posted 2 November 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2010. Archived page at the Wayback Machine.
Further reading
edit- Kemps, Heidi (28 August 2014). "Interview: Shinji Aramaki". Anime News Network.
External links
edit- Shinji Aramaki at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Shinji Aramaki at IMDb
- Shinji Aramaki entry at Gears Online