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Matt Schley
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 25, 2020
‘A Whisker Away’: Don’t catnap on some feline fun
“A Whisker Away” milks the cuteness of animated cats to bring lighthearted fun to a story about loneliness and heartbreak.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 13, 2020
‘Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man’: 15 years as Studio Ghibli’s bridge to the world
There's a lot to be learned from living with the Never-Ending Man. That's Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned director of animated films such as "Spirited Away" and co-founder of the celebrated animation house Studio Ghibli. The nickname was coined by an NHK documentary about his penchant for retiring and unretiring...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 28, 2020
Composer Joe Hisaishi opens up to streaming
Film composer Joe Hisaishi says he is writing more as a result of COVID-19, but is determined not to write about the pandemic itself.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
May 14, 2020
'The Benza' proves that toilet humor is universal
“The Benza,' a series on Amazon Prime Video about an epic quest to replace a broken toilet seat, was inspired by actor Christopher McCombs' real-life travails in Tokyo.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Apr 30, 2020
Forget about anime production delays by streaming these classics
Many anime releases have been delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but in the meantime, with their vast libraries of anime films and series, streaming services can tide us over.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 5, 2020
'Shirobako the Movie': Unboxing the nitty-gritty of anime
Tsutomu Mizushima's television series about the ins and outs of making anime movies gets the big-screen treatment, bringing back familiar characters, situations and jokes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 24, 2020
Remembering Satoshi Kon, one of anime's best-loved creators
The Annie Awards bestows a posthumous honor on anime director Satoshi Kon, who died in 2010 at the age of 46.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / 2019 in Review
Dec 25, 2019
2019 brought both tragedy and triumph to Japan's anime industry
While the anime world was rocked by a fatal arson attack at the studios of Kyoto Animation, a diverse range of new films and series gave the year a creative boost.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 6, 2019
How the artwork from anime classic 'Akira' was given a permanent home in the U.S.
More than 30 years after the anime world was set alight by 'Akira,' the original artwork from the film has found a permanent home in the United States.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 28, 2019
'Human Lost': Osamu Dazai's classic novel gets lost in sci-fi technobabble
A futuristic update of 'No Longer Human,' the latest computer-animated film from Polygon Pictures takes liberties with the source material.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Nov 13, 2019
Japan saw a generational and international shift for anime in the 2010s
The 2010s were dominated by a batch of new animators, bringing success stories to the big screen in Japan and overseas, while traditional TV anime gave way to streaming productions
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Nov 8, 2019
With the 2019 Tokyo Film Festival having come to a close, we take a look at how anime was represented at the event
In today's world of visual entertainment, it's hard to argue that Japan has any stronger export than animation.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 9, 2019
'Her Blue Sky': Testing the limits of a successful formula
The latest film from Tatsuyuki Nagai, Mari Okada and Masayoshi Tanaka sees a return to the city of Chichibu, but can the success of the trio's previous productions be repeated?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 18, 2019
'Hello World': Kyoto as you've never seen it before
Tomohiko Ito's anime feature 'Hello World' sees the breaking down of the borders between present and future, and the perils and pitfalls of comupter-generated worlds
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Sep 5, 2019
Giving anime strength overseas
The Crunchyroll Expo in California sees Japanese animation enthusiasts gather to meet their heroes and embrace all aspects of anime fandom.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 28, 2019
'Ni no Kuni': Two worlds but little life to be found
Two things about "Ni no Kuni." 1) It features a protagonist who uses a wheelchair, an admirable display of diversity and inclusion in a medium that rarely features characters with disabilities. 2) There isn't much else to like about the film.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Aug 13, 2019
Remembering the staff of Kyoto Animation
Almost a month after the main studio of Kyoto Animation was set on fire, killing 35 and injuring many more, details of the victims are still emerging after police released the names of 10 workers on Aug. 2.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 8, 2019
Shoji Kawamori: 40 years spent designing an anime future
If you've watched any robot anime in the past 40 years, there's a decent chance Shoji Kawamori had a hand in it.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 27, 2019
Makoto Shinkai isn't afraid of a bit of rain in the pursuit of his art
It has been raining for weeks, but director Makoto Shinkai doesn't seem to mind a bit.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jul 20, 2019
Kyoto Animation: A unique force in Japan's anime industry
It took Kyoto Animation Co. almost 40 years to establish itself as one of the leading animation production studios in the country.

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