Awesome Japan has announced the launch of a Kickstarter crowd funding effort to finance the production of a hand-drawn anime short by Keiichiro Kimura, a 76-year-old anime veteran whose work goes back to 1966's first magical girl anime, Sally the Witch and includes credits as animation director of the classic Cyborg 009.
$10,000 is being sought for a production in which each and every frame will be hand-drawn in pencil by the legendary animator Kimura. It will consist of approximately 2000 frame works focused on a single samurai that fights for his life against 100 of his vicious enemies. It will be around 5 minutes duration (or longer depending on budget).
Legendary animator, born on April 5, 1938.
Joined Toei Animation in 1961. He debuted as an animator with Samurai Kid, and then was the character designer/animation director for his next series, Rainbow Squadron Robin. His most famous classic work, Tiger Mask greatly influenced future animators and action anime. His daring action sequences and strong art still holds fans today.
“I create the animated version of rock!”
With imagination, spirit, and age-defying vitality, he hopes to fill his audience with courage and excitement. He has greatly influenced the animation industry with his fierce artwork, dynamic, daring actions and his use of camera angles. It is no exaggeration to say that Keiichiro Kimura is the founder of modern Japanese action animation.
Today, Mr. Kimura participates in the production of commercial animation for TV series and movies.
He is an artist who responds to any requests with professionalism, yet manages to keep expressing his originality at the same time.
Official Website: http://www.kksp.jp (Japanese only)
Animated TV series
- “Sally the Witch” (1966) Animation Director
- “Speed Racer” (1967) Key Animator
- “Cyborg 009” (1968) Animation Director/Character design/Opening animation
- “Humanoid Monster Bem” (1968) Key Animator
- “The Secrets of Akkochan” (1969) Animation Director
- “Tiger Mask” (1969) Animation Director/Character design/Opening animation
- “Attack No. 1” (1969) Key Animator/Opening animation
- “Lupin the Third” (1971) Key Animator
- “Dokaben” (1976) Animation Director
- “The Ultraman” (1979) Key Animator
- “Invincible Robo Trider G7” (1980) Animation Director
- “Robot King Daioja” (1981) Animation Director
- “Golden Warrior Gold Lightan” (1981) Animation Director
- “Game Center Arashi” (1982) Animation Director
Animated Films
- “Cyborg 009” (1966) Animation Director/Character design
- “Cyborg 009: Monster Wars” (1967) Animation Director/Character design
*These are only a few examples of all films he's worked in.
The main character in "GO! SAMURAI" is a lone, wandering samurai named KEI. He doesn't have an objective. His motto is “Just keep moving forward”. Where he goes, enemies appear…
To live is to fight.
Go, samurai! Onward, KEI!
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Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.
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