Renowned Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho Ventures into Anime Production
Explore the journey of the acclaimed director of Parasite as he delves into the realm of animation, showcasing his visionary approach in crafting captivating storytelling through the medium of anime.
One of the most renowned film directors in the world is exploring a new avenue in entertainment. South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho graced the Anime Awards hosted by Crunchyroll and presented the Anime of the Year award to Jujutsu Kaisen. This award was just one of the 11 impressive accolades received by the anime at the event. In addition to this exciting news, Bong Joon-ho revealed that he is actively working on a Japanese anime feature film project.
Bong Joon-ho is a highly popular director in the industry today. His film Parasite, a black comedy thriller, made history by becoming the first Asian and foreign-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture in the 2010s. Known for his versatile style, Joon-ho has directed a range of genres, from the CGI-heavy sci-fi of Snowpiercer in 2013 and Okja in 2017 to the social-minded thriller Parasite in 2019. His creativity and dynamic approach will truly shine in the world of animation.
Joon-ho's recent announcement at the ceremony was a big surprise, especially since he had hinted at his interest in an animated project before. In 2021, Korean media first revealed that he was working on a CGI-animated feature concept, and now it has been confirmed that the film will go into full production later this year.
While it's not certain if this animated film is the same as the one mentioned at the Anime Awards, it has been confirmed that VFX studio 4th Creative Party will be involved in the project. This studio has a long history of collaboration with Joon-ho and has worked on anime-related projects before, such as the 2013 CGI-animated film adaptation of Space Pirate Captain Harlock, a famous space opera manga from the 1970s by Leiji Matsumoto.
It's not clear if Joon-ho was talking about this project as an international co-production or if he has another Japanese project in the works. In the anime industry, studio culture and house style play a big role in shaping a project's creative direction. A collaboration between Joon-ho and MAPPA would result in different content compared to a collaboration with Science Saru.
What is certain is that this announcement reflects the growing global popularity of animation, especially anime, among top live-action creators. The Anime Awards serves as the perfect platform to unveil such a project. For a complete list of nominations and winners at the Anime Awards, visit Crunchyroll's website.
Source: Crunchyroll
Editor's P/S:
I am thrilled about Bong Joon-ho's foray into anime, and I am eagerly anticipating his upcoming feature film. His unique vision and ability to blend genres seamlessly will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective to the world of animation. It is exciting to imagine the creative possibilities that will arise from his collaboration with 4th Creative Party, a renowned VFX studio with a strong track record in anime projects.
The growing popularity of animation, particularly anime, among renowned live-action creators is a testament to the medium's limitless potential and global appeal. Bong Joon-ho's involvement in the Anime Awards and his anime project announcement further solidifies this trend. The Anime Awards serves as a prestigious platform to showcase the best in animation, and it is an honor for Joon-ho to be associated with this esteemed event. I believe his presence and recognition of anime's excellence will inspire more live-action creators to explore the medium and contribute to its continued growth and innovation.
