Exclusive Interview: Dive into the Cinematic World of 'Pompo the Cinephile' with Director Takayuki Hirao

Renowned anime director Takayuki Hirao, who was among the esteemed Guests of Honor at the recent Anime Expo, found himself immersed in a whirlwind of activities. Besides gracing fans with his presence and attending a screening of his animated masterpiece Pompo the Cinephile, Hirao tantalized the eager audience by offering tantalizing hints about his highly anticipated upcoming project, Wasted Chef. Amidst the frenzy of the convention, the director graciously took the time to delve into the intricacies of anime production, the unique essence of Pompo in the realms of both anime and Hollywood, and the inner thoughts and emotions that fuel his greatly anticipated future endeavor.

Game Rant: It’s great to be talking! So, is this your first time at Anime Expo here in Los Angeles?

Takayuki Hirao: *laughs* Yes, this is actually my first time at any American Anime convention!

TH: Anime Expo has been quite an experience! I feel privileged to have been invited as a guest of honor and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. The atmosphere here is incredible, with everyone sharing a deep love for anime. The energy and excitement in the air, particularly during the screening of Pompo yesterday, have been absolutely wonderful.

GR: How does it feel to reach this milestone with Pompo, a film that is now two years old, and to see it being screened on such a grand scale?

TH: Despite being released two years ago, the film has continued to maintain a presence through film festivals and local screenings during this time. It feels like the movie has had a long-lasting impact, which is truly exciting! We are thrilled to have a significant number of dedicated fans in Japan, and it fills me with pride. Moreover, the screening at Anime Expo has reassured us of the fan interest here as well. Just yesterday, during the film's showing, the tech personnel at the convention expressed their love for it and even expressed interest in getting the Blu-Ray version!

Pompo the Cinephile was clearly adapted from a popular web manga in Japan. Why did you choose to adapt Pompo as a director, out of all the available manga?

Before deciding on Pompo, I was experiencing a stagnation in the anime industry. I felt that my previous work and what the industry expected from me had become repetitive. However, I still had a strong desire to be involved in anime. When discussing potential projects with producers in Japan, I wanted to focus on the process of creativity itself. One of the producers, who had previously supported me on other projects, recommended Pompo and urged me to read the manga. I trusted his judgment, and that's how Pompo-san came to be.

GR: That's really interesting. Who was the producer?

TH: Yusuke Tomizawa. Yusuke had previously produced Bandai Namco's God Eater games, which we were adapting into an anime. Honestly, it was a challenging project and we both felt like we didn't quite succeed. It made us reflect on the importance of working hard, especially in an industry where reputation is crucial. That's when we came up with the idea of creating something centered around the process of creation and accomplishment. Pompo the Cinephile, a film about filmmaking, seemed like the perfect fit. Having Yusuke on board was a great decision, and I'm really happy with how everything turned out.

Promotional image from the upcoming film Wasted Chef directed by Takayuki Hirao.

GR: Although Pompo showcases the process of creating a live-action film, it raises the question of how the creative obstacles depicted in the movie parallel those encountered in making anime.

GR: Of course, Pompo is set in Hollywood...

TH: *laughs* Nyallywood, huh?

GR: *laughs* Yeah, Nyallywood, inspired by Hollywood! So, how does the Japanese media world, especially the anime industry, view Hollywood as an ideal environment for creativity?

TH: The setting and content of this film serve as a great source of inspiration. Personally, I am a huge fan of classic Hollywood and I made an effort to absorb information about its aesthetic and feel. In Japan, Hollywood is seen as a place where people come together to work collaboratively and turn their dreams into reality. While some may find this sentimental, I believe it captures the essence of what this film is trying to convey. It may be argued that this bright portrayal is somewhat unrealistic, but I wanted to showcase the power of collaboration through this film, almost like a battle cry for the collaborative process.

GR: It is worth mentioning that Hollywood currently faces significant challenges, such as the writers' strike and concerns over artificial intelligence. I wonder if the Japanese industry has been observing these issues from afar.

TH: Certainly. Personally, I aimed to highlight the collaborative aspects of moviemaking and draw parallels with the anime industry in Pompo. While Hollywood deals with various real-life challenges, the Japanese audience remains captivated by these developments.

GR: Shifting our attention to your upcoming venture, it was temporarily titled Wasted Chef...

TH: "Wasted Chef," that's the current working title of the film, not a secret code name!

GR: Oh, that's intriguing! What can viewers anticipate or be excited about, considering this is your inaugural independent film venture?

I have been contemplating how quickly people's situations and circumstances can change. This is particularly evident in the context of the covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the restaurant culture in Japan. Despite the vibrant nature of the industry, it had to swiftly adapt to the new reality of people not being able to go out. In my next movie, I want to explore the process of how individuals adjust their values to fit their surroundings. This theme is particularly relatable to younger generations. While the movie will have fantastical elements, it also aims to provide encouragement, similar to the experience of watching Pompo the Cinephile. You can currently watch Pompo the Cinephile on Blu-Ray and Digital with GKIDS. Wasted Chef is expected to be released in Japan in 2024.