Interview with the artist “Wannyanpuu” and making of “Ugoira!” The particulars behind the creator’s craftsmanship.
”Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Cased Closed” became the catalyst
- You are active in a diverse range of activities from illustrating, manga and animating video clips but how did you get into production in the first place?
I have enjoyed drawing from a young age since childhood. By the time I had entered kindergarten I was drawing sequential comics. And now it goes without saying that things I’m most interested in the world are things like anime and manga.
- What kind of series do you like?
There are many I like but I often imitated the drawings in “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Detective Conan.” I would often earnestly replicate the drawings appearing in these two series.
▲Hiromu Arakawa’s “Fullmetal Alchemist” (Square Enix, 2002)
Rather than drawing my own pattern in characters, I would look at the above image and replicate the style in my drawing. Though I did it without realizing it myself. (lol)
- And from there, you were able to develop your individual style, right?
When I was a high school student, I began a part-time job where I used my earnings to buy a printer-scanner multifunction machine and digital tablet. From there it was an opportunity to discover my own true style.
However, I wasn’t able to create pretty lines right off the bat with my tablet. The lines were drawn on physical paper and were scanned so that the coloring was done with the PC. Up until then, I’ve always drawn on paper….
By trial and error, I was able to learn the method of using my tablet, and gradually I was making digital line drawings, though it took a significant amount of time.
However, I wasn’t able to create pretty lines right off the bat with my tablet. The lines were drawn on physical paper and were scanned so that the coloring was done with the PC. Up until then, I’ve always drawn on paper….
By trial and error, I was able to learn the method of using my tablet, and gradually I was making digital line drawings, though it took a significant amount of time.
From start to finish, I want to create everything by my own hand
- What kind of animated clip did you start with?
To be honest, I wasn’t skilled at the so-called character illustrations… After seeing works by successful artists, I thought, “Ah, I can’t do this.” But, since I loved manga, reading and drawing it I thought “There is no other way I can channel my thoughts if it isn’t by manga!”
At that time, I had the opportunity to create animations at the school I was commuting to. Because it was a credit-based class, I choose to enjoy it as I went along.
I had only been taking fine arts based classes but among them there was a class on “FLASH.” There, I made a simple animation.
And then, I received praise from the head teacher! Furthermore I was even asked for it to be uploaded to the school website!
As expected, I was happy to receive compliments, and I understood that in manga it is important to convey motion of the characters, and so from there I began devoting time to animating.
At that time, I had the opportunity to create animations at the school I was commuting to. Because it was a credit-based class, I choose to enjoy it as I went along.
I had only been taking fine arts based classes but among them there was a class on “FLASH.” There, I made a simple animation.
And then, I received praise from the head teacher! Furthermore I was even asked for it to be uploaded to the school website!
As expected, I was happy to receive compliments, and I understood that in manga it is important to convey motion of the characters, and so from there I began devoting time to animating.
- How did you study that?
I basically am self-taught. When I had questions about animation, I would do my research through books online.
At the beginning I wanted to become an animator and thought about going to a specialized school for it. When I did a trial enrollment, the instructors would often give me compliments like “you’re skillful, aren’t you?” “This isn't bad” I thought (lol).
However, to become an animator, in the end it isn’t about drawing a single portion. From start to finish, I want to do everything by my own hand. It’s a little lonely if the case of “this work is only my engagement.” Of course, I wanted to be able to say “This is something I made!” Because I knew of the difficulties of doing this kind of work, I made my hobby of animating clips public.
At the beginning I wanted to become an animator and thought about going to a specialized school for it. When I did a trial enrollment, the instructors would often give me compliments like “you’re skillful, aren’t you?” “This isn't bad” I thought (lol).
However, to become an animator, in the end it isn’t about drawing a single portion. From start to finish, I want to do everything by my own hand. It’s a little lonely if the case of “this work is only my engagement.” Of course, I wanted to be able to say “This is something I made!” Because I knew of the difficulties of doing this kind of work, I made my hobby of animating clips public.
- What tools do you use to make your animated works?
Today I used “RETAS STUDIO.” For the editing, I used “After Effects” but the main tool was “RETAS STUDIO.” There is a successor “CLIP STUDIO PAINT,” that has been released but for me “RETAS STUDIO” is easy to use.
Actually, when I began publishing my clips, I would use “FLASH.” However, somehow or another, it was limited and I would switch over to “RETAS STUDIO.”
Actually, when I began publishing my clips, I would use “FLASH.” However, somehow or another, it was limited and I would switch over to “RETAS STUDIO.”
▲Wannyanpuu’s “tegaki” Kagero Days video clip for “Jikokaishaku” which was an early video animated in “FLASH”
I’m happy that there is an increase of things I can do but conversely, it’s like “Oh dear!” Regardless of how much I draw, it doesn’t end (lol).
If you are working alone, eventually no matter how much you move your hand you cannot increase the cuts. By doing so, in the end, the cuts still have an incredible quantity.
If you are working alone, eventually no matter how much you move your hand you cannot increase the cuts. By doing so, in the end, the cuts still have an incredible quantity.
I want to sense the movement of my characters
- What do you think of the appeal of things like manga, illustrations and animation?
Being able to move their own character as they please. Of course by moving it’s like a “living” feeling.
Of course manga has things various like speech and onomatopoeia to express characters’ feelings, and in illustrations, coloring techniques can allow us to see a view of the world. But “movement” is found only in anime.
One panel, two panels, the characters that I draw, I want them to feel like they are three-dimensional and life-like, laughing or crying. And that is what I can create with my hands.
No, but really giving the characters just movement and narration raises the tension and more than anything, you will be be able to like your characters more.
Actually when I’m drawing “Satsubatsu Share Life”, I’m always thinking “I want to animate this scene!” lol.
The excitement of seeing your beloved character moving around as if they are alive is unexplainable until one tries it out. If you don’t mind starting with a simple thing, by all means please challenge yourself to try.
Of course manga has things various like speech and onomatopoeia to express characters’ feelings, and in illustrations, coloring techniques can allow us to see a view of the world. But “movement” is found only in anime.
One panel, two panels, the characters that I draw, I want them to feel like they are three-dimensional and life-like, laughing or crying. And that is what I can create with my hands.
No, but really giving the characters just movement and narration raises the tension and more than anything, you will be be able to like your characters more.
Actually when I’m drawing “Satsubatsu Share Life”, I’m always thinking “I want to animate this scene!” lol.
The excitement of seeing your beloved character moving around as if they are alive is unexplainable until one tries it out. If you don’t mind starting with a simple thing, by all means please challenge yourself to try.
- Please offer words of advice for those wanting to try their hand at “Ugoira.”
It is important to draw each frame carefully. There are those who rely on copy and paste but it will create unnatural movement. Even if it is simple, if you don’t break up your lines, you can create smooth animation.
▲ Wannyapuu’s latest “tekaki” video Ame and Kusari “Short Video Clip＋α”
Besides, even if there are parts you didn’t draw well, the funny or different parts might turn out useable with some tweaking.
Movement is not the only focus in animation. I want the details of the scene to also flow cleanly. The characters can move around as you see fit. But don’t you want a perfect animation?
Movement is not the only focus in animation. I want the details of the scene to also flow cleanly. The characters can move around as you see fit. But don’t you want a perfect animation?