'Lupin the 3rd VS Cat's Eye' Interview with director Hiroyuki Seshita & Kobun Shizuno, how was the encounter of the two major titles of the century created?



To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the animation of 'Lupin the Third' and the 40th anniversary of the original work of 'Cat's Eye', a collaboration between the two works has been realized, and the animation ' Lupin the Third VS Cat's Eye ' will be distributed on Prime Video. Both are popular works that have been animated multiple times, but how was the work in which the world's great thief and the phantom thief group coexist in one world? We asked Hiroyuki and Kobun Shizuno about the details.

Anime 'Lupin III VS Cat's Eye' Official Site

https://www.lupin-vs-catseye.com/



GIGAZINE (hereinafter G):
When was the story of this work 'Lupin the Third VS Cat's Eye' between the two of you?

Director Hiroyuki Seshita (hereinafter referred to as Seshita):
About two years ago.

G:
What was your first impression when you heard this title?

Director Kobun Shizuno (hereinafter referred to as Shizuno):
Both 'Lupin III' and 'Cat's Eye' are really super major titles, and even if they are separate, they will be one work each. I thought this was a bit of a heavy burden, but I was able to work with Mr. Seshita again, so my worries were relieved. I've had the opportunity to work as a director in the past, so if there's anything I can rely on (laughs).

(Everyone laughs)

Shizuno:
I think we're building a comfortable relationship.

G:
How was Director Seshita?

Seshita:
As you can see from the films I was interviewed for (

Anigoge and Levius ), I'm not the kind of director who does major projects. It's the same with Anigoji, but I said, ``If Mr. Shizuno will do it, I will do it.'' (laughs)

G:
(Laughs) So you were offered at the same time?

Seshita:
Just as Producer Ishiyama was aiming for, the offers were made at the same time (laughs). I think it was when I was with Director Shizuno at another meeting.

G:
This is exactly what Producer Ishiyama said about this work, and Mr. Hojo said, ``I want to show that cats exist in Lupine's world view, and I want you to bring it to Lupine's character.'' bottom. After receiving this order, how did you go about producing it?

Seshita:
In order to unify the world view and style, it would be better to have one character drafter put it all together.” So, I wondered if this person would be able to create a rich character draft while interpreting both works, so I asked Mr. Haruya Nakata , who was my acquaintance as the original author of my directorial work 'Levius'. I decided to I made a request, ``Please draw Lupine and Cat's Eye, which I think is cool, Mr. Nakata.''

G:
Mr. Nakata published the image on Twitter.



Seshita:
As a character design draft, you really made a lot of various sketches.

G:
What was your first impression of the painting?

Seshita:
One word 'cool'.

G:
Looking at the various visuals that have been released, Lupine has a lot of remnants of his previous works, while Cat's Eye has the impression that a lot of changes have been added. Was this the policy to change from the beginning? Or did you decide to change it while considering various designs?



Seshita:
Since it was most important for Lupine and Cat's Eye to be in the same world view, the transition is a matter of course. The eyes of Lupine and Cat's Eye, as interpreted by Mr. Nakata, are both cool and sensual, and there is no sense of discomfort even if they are placed side by side, right?

G:
I agree.

Seshita:
If you get lost in the middle of animation production, you won't be able to complete it. I checked it thoroughly at the rough sketch stage.

G:
The characters of two different works are in the same world, but did you have an image of matching each world evenly when producing?

Shizuno:
Mr. Hojo told me, ``It's okay to use Lupine's worldview as a base. I thought that if I set this background as the stage, I would be able to make the characters of the two works coexist.

G:
In terms of the '80s', Producer Ishiyama said, 'The reason why Lupine's jacket is pink is that the era of 'Cat's Eye' is set in the 80s, and this work also features the setting of that era, so 'Lupin in the 80s'. Speaking of which, it's pink,' so I decided.' He commented. It's true that there were no smartphones or the internet in the work, and when I looked closely at the newspaper articles that appeared, the name 'Soviet Union' appeared, and I thought it was definitely in the 80's, but that said, it's still somewhat modern. I also felt the atmosphere. How did you strike a balance in creating this world?

Seshita:
By using the 80s as a motif, it is possible to provide a service that will make people feel nostalgic, but this is not the main focus of this work, it is just that it is ``drawn as the 80s''.

G:
So that's it. I'm very careful about things like 'I don't put out smartphones,' but I have to dare not treat the culture of the 80's in a big way.

Seshita:
That's it.

Shizuno:
I was careful about all means of communication such as telephones, clothes and cars. I tried to make it an 80s motif, but when young people today, people who don't know 'Lupin' and 'Cat's Eye' see it, they wonder 'What is that?' I tried not to draw maniac elements that would be difficult to get into as much as possible

G:
Are there any specific things that you avoided because 'this kind of thing seems to be caught'?

Shizuno:
The streets, billboards, and neon lights. I thought, 'Isn't that the Japan we know? Is it a fantasy?' That's the reason why the opening scene is a townscape along the Sumida River that is as inconspicuous as possible. On the other hand, I have to make a clear statement that ``there are no mobile phones or smartphones'', so I used a large car phone or faxed it to say ``This was the era in the 1980s, please understand. ” is shown in an easy-to-understand manner.



G:
Tsukasa Hojo, the original author of Cat's Eye, commented on this work, ''Lupin the Third' is a work by a senior who has been reading since junior high school. What kind of reaction would Monkey Punch-sensei have when he heard about this collaboration? I can't help but wonder if I was there...?' He commented. How did the two people in charge of production create one story from two works?

Shizuno:
The characters in both works are very unique, so the first thing was to draw them without losing their individuality. However, the scale is fixed, and even though it is a work that can make one movie with one title, there are twice as many characters.

G:
It's hard just to organize...

Shizuno:
When considering the overall balance, Lupine and Ai will have a buddy-like relationship, or rather, the story will be centered around a story in which they will communicate with each other. I thought about how to tie them together as one, and how I could express family love in a moving way. Mr. Hojo gave me various advice, such as 'Isn't it better to include Heinz in the trilogy?', and by including Heinz in addition to the three sisters and mother, I think I can draw a stronger family love. With that said, the plot was decided.

Seshita:
I really appreciate this advice.

G:
I think that the work to shape from the plot is more difficult than thinking in advance, but what was the difficult part?

Seshita:
At the stage of creating the story plot with Mr. Shizuno, he would say, ``I want someone to appear at a time like this... that's right, Fujiko is here.'' The Lupine gang, Inspector Zenigata, Cat's Eye's three sisters, and Toshio. So, of course, there was the fundamental difficulty of creating a story that would please the audience, but I didn't worry about how to handle the characters.



G:
Oh, I see.

Seshita:
In addition to that, Mr. Hojo respected me and said, 'Please take care of Lupine anyway,' so we were able to do it freely, and it was a very easy work to do.

G:
Because the policy is clear, do you feel that you have a lot of freedom to do things?

Seshita:
I agree. There are several veteran actors who can handle any difficult role. That was the feeling of being there.

G:
As I mentioned earlier, both 'Lupin' and 'Cat's Eye' are titles that can make one movie even if they are one piece, so this time I couldn't get enough of it to talk about one. There may be developments and ideas.

Seshita:
There were many things. There was also the idea that Fujiko would be the fourth Cats. After the intense action, Fujiko's clothes were in tatters, and Nami-nee-san told me, ``I have a spare leotard,'' (laughs).

G:
(smile)

Seshita:
This story is interesting... Should I have included it? (Laughs) If the four of us, including Fujiko, were standing in leotards, wouldn't there be some kind of happiness that welled up?

G:
The picture is good, it comes to mind. I wanted to see

Seshita:
This kind of idea comes out because Lupine and Cat's Eye are super famous. Thanks to the power of character.

G:
Speaking of which, when I saw Director Seshita's Instagram, he posted an impression that he had seen ' Suzume no Tomari ' in October 2022.



Seshita:
This is a post from the preview of the completed show. I was involved in directing the CG characters for 'Suzume no Toshimari' for about two years at the same time as this work.

G:
When you work on multiple projects, how do you separate them in terms of style? I don't think it's possible to do both at the same time.

Seshita:
If I don't have multiple jobs, I can't stand it mentally (laughs). If you get caught in one piece, you'll probably get too deep into it.

G:
I see, with that kind of stance.

Seshita:
I think it's more balanced that way.

G:
Director Shizuno, do you think it's better to do two or three at the same time, or concentrate on one?

Shizuno:
I haven't decided yet. I thought I would accept the offer.

Seshita:
By the way, when it comes to the number of books handled at the same time, Mr. Shizuno has an overwhelming number (laughs).

G:
Oh... you don't get punctured, do you?

Shizuno:
Maybe I'm causing trouble for those around me (laughs).

Seshita:
In the end, both I and Mr. Shizuno have been doing various things in parallel since 'Knights of Sidonia' (laughs).

G:
This work will have a Japan premiere on January 24, 2023, and will be distributed on Prime Video from January 27. I think that there are people who read the interview and then see the work, but is there anything that you have to tell such people?

Shizuno:
I think you watched the preview, but did you notice the hidden characters?

G:
There was a character in the background that I was really interested in, so I confirmed it in the second preview (laughs)

Shizuno:
You may not notice it at first glance (laugh), but there are also such interesting elements, so I would like you to check it out.

G:
In the case of 'Cat's Eye', time has passed since the anime series, and I think that there are many people who touch it for the first time in this work. Did you pay attention to those points when you were making it?

Shizuno:
I made them with the feeling that both Lupine and Cats are major characters, so I decided that explanations such as 'this character has such a personality' could be omitted.

Seshita:
Basically, I don't make it with the awareness that 'I have to explain it to people who see it for the first time.' At first glance, you might wonder, 'Why are these three sisters wearing leotards in conspicuous colors even though they're thieves?'

Shizuno:
'Why is a thief opening a cafe in front of the police station?'

G:
(smile)

Seshita:
From Toshio's point of view, it's a coffee shop with the same name as the thief he's chasing (laughs).

Shizuno:
If you get interested and read the original, or watch it on Mr. Tom's YouTube channel, it's perfect.

[Official] Cat's Eye Episode 1 'You are a sexy thief' 'CAT'S EYE' EP01 (1983) - YouTube


Seshita:
I'm broadcasting a remake of ' Urusei Yatsura ' right now, but I wonder why aliens are wearing tiger-striped bikinis, I wonder if it's the first time I see it (laughs)



G:
But once you see it, you will never forget it.

Seshita:
I think so. It's the strength of the characters in the 70's and 80's. I admire you.

G:
Certainly there is. Director Shizuno was talking with a current high school director on an audition project site called `` GEMSTONE Creators Audition '', and was asked about the difference in production between TV animation and theatrical animation. was answering. This work has two originals, but the story is original. What did you pay attention to and what did you focus on?

Shizuno:
There may be some overlap with my previous answer, but when I started developing the plot, I was very worried about how to draw the leading characters of both titles in a well-balanced manner.

G:
When you draw 'balanced', do you mean the degree of activity?

Shizuno:
It's not about screen time or anything like that, it's about how you can appear in the way that's needed in this work, and whether you can play an active role. On the Lupine side alone, there are 3 Fujiko-chan, 3 Ai sisters for Cats, and Zenigata and Toshio for the police.

G:
(smile)

Shizuno:
As Mr. Seshita said earlier, the characters are full of individuality, so if you apply them somehow, ``This scene is this character,'' the drama really advances. I thought that the staff at the time would have had a hard time if the setting and appearance were so outrageous that they had strong personalities, but when I tried handling them myself, the personalities of the characters in the 80s were very attractive, and that alone was enough to tell the story. I realized that it is something that pulls me. That's something I learned a lot after working on this game, and I'm glad I accepted the job.

G:
When do you feel a strong personality?

Shizuno:
When it comes to which character will move the story, the length is already decided, so this time I decided to lead the story with Ai-chan. Sometimes, I develop the plot while worrying that this character's personality may be lacking, or that these two may not get along well, but in this work, ``This kind of conversation will work well. Don't go', or 'When Ai and I are separated, what kind of conversation will Namida and Hitomi have, and what kind of action will they take?' In terms of points, except for how to drop the climax, it was finished quite early.

G:
Oh, I see.

Shizuno:
I was worried about what to do at the end, but I was able to clear it with Hojo-sensei's advice, and I think it came together well.

G:
So that's it. The 'scale' came up several times in the story, but instead of not having trouble with the character, it seems that adjusting the time was a difficult part.

Shizuno:
I agree. I thought it would be difficult to have all the unique characters play an active role and have to prepare a certain amount of screen time. However, when I tried it, I realized that the character's individuality is very strong, so even if it's a short time, I can do it well enough.

G:
'Lupin' previously collaborated with ' Lupin III vs. Detective Conan ', and Yomiuri Television's Suwa producer decided that Conan would die if someone fell from a building, and Lupine would not die even if he fell from a building. I was talking about how difficult it was to combine two different worldviews into one.

Producer Suwa talks about what kind of difficulties there were in realizing a collaboration movie between Lupine III and Detective Conan - GIGAZINE



G:
In the case of 'Lupin the Third' and 'Cat's Eye', I think that it is common that there is a serious atmosphere while having a comical taste, but was there something like rubbing around that? ?

Shizuno:
I didn't think 'Lupin won't die even if he falls off a building'. In fact, I've also done Conan movies, and I even think that Conan wouldn't die even if he fell from a building. In terms of immortality, it might be Conan's.

G:
(smile)

Shizuno:
I don't get hit by bullets.

Seshita:
It's already matchless (laughs)

G:
Musou (laughs)

Shizuno:
Regarding this work, the first thing I thought about was not to spoil the goodness of the original work, such as what happens when Cats is injured and how to get hurt. How was it when you actually saw it? Did you feel any discomfort?

G:
At first, I thought, ``If it's a big tie, it looks like 'Phantom Thief' is similar, but it's a different thing,'' and I was worried if these two really intersected, but as I watched it, `` Now I don't think I'm Lupine III or Cat's Eye anymore, and before I know it, I'm used to it.



Seshita:
That's the best evaluation.

G:
I didn't know where I got used to it, so I was like, 'When?'

Seshita:
It's as intended. I'm happy.

G:
So it's correct that I didn't notice where the works merged.

Seshita:
While driving the story with Cat's Eye's view of the world, the disguised Lupine enters, creating an impression of a natural fusion.

G:
I see, the lupine color gradually became darker. When I heard this kind of revealing, I was convinced that ``I see, so it was so,'' but when I was watching it, I thought, ``This is a completely fused world.'' … Also, one thing that really caught my attention was that Cat's Eye's costume had changed. How did this change?



Seshita:
This time, I was really worried about whether to keep the leotard. Even though it's set in the 80's, I think it's still necessary to consider how to draw women and how to draw sexuality. As a result, I arranged the costume to match the current era.

G:
Lupine also has different designs depending on the work. This time it's Lupin with a pink jacket in the 80's.

Shizuno:
We started by asking Nakata-sensei for the design draft, as we wanted to include two titles in one world. Producer Ishiyama said that he wanted to release an 80's Lupine, and Cat's Eye was also in the 80's, so I thought it would be just right. I got it and started designing it.



G:
It's a bit off topic here, and Director Seshita has a policy of doing multiple jobs at the same time, but he became the representative director and vice president of ' Studio KADAN ', which was established in June 2021.

Seshita:
For the past four years, I have been directing KADOKAWA's new titles. That is why I participated in the establishment of a new company. We will announce the new version soon.

G:
You also posted some photos on Instagram.

Seshita:
KADOKAWA currently has three animation production companies. Kinema Citrus for hand-drawn animation, ENGI for 2D digital animation, and Studio KADAN for 3DCG animation. The strategy of these three companies is to animate KADOKAWA's works in various styles.

G:
I would also like to ask about image generation AI such as Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, which have been gaining popularity for the past six months...

Seshita:
I am amused by this situation, but full-scale introduction is yet to come.

G:
Do you have an image that if you can do something like this, it will be used in earnest?

Seshita:
I think that users who can use AI exquisitely will emerge in no time. Just like using YouTube. But I don't know if we can create content that we would pay to see. I still don't know what kind of monetization system will be and what kind of market will be created.

G:
Were there any new additions to the CG process for this work? Or did you make it solidly?

Seshita:
This time around, it's solidly built and I haven't taken many technical adventures.

G:
Are there any technologies that require attention, such as ``I want to incorporate these technologies in the next game or later''?

Seshita:
'Practical use' entails risks, so it is currently difficult to incorporate experimental techniques into works like this one. At the moment, what we are considering for the next game and beyond is the introduction of a real-time engine for planning.

G:
It will be after the next work, so I would like to hear more about it at that time.

Seshita:
I don't take a lot of risks, so I may not be able to tell interesting stories (laughs).

G:
I'd like to ask Director Shizuno, but does Director Seshita not take such risks?

Shizuno
No, no (laughs) ... but I think you'll want to ask a lot of things, but now the animation industry and the game industry are moving with AI technology, and image generation AI and deep fake are well combined. Development is progressing with the idea that it may be possible to skip a certain process by doing so. I can't say for sure.

Seshita:
It's hard to say (laughs) because it's a core competence area.

G:
I see, so it's still reaching the level of core competence.

Seshita:
Maybe so. In fact, Mr. Shizuno and I have a common understanding that technology is very important in video production.

G:
So that's it.

Seshita:
That is why there are technical areas that are difficult to answer in interviews.

G:
It's almost time to fill up, so if you two have something to say, 'I want to say something like this' at the end. Any content is fine.

Shizuno:
I wonder... I want as many people as possible to see it.

Seshita:
I agree. I would like many people to see it. Lupine and Cat's Eye, the attractive thief characters representing Japan, please enjoy the gorgeous co-star that everyone has imagined.

Shizuno:
Please support us.

G:
Thank you for taking the time to answer my off-topic question.

Amazon Original 'Lupin the Third VS Cat's Eye' will be exclusively distributed worldwide on Prime Video from January 27, 2023 (Friday).

Amazon Original 'Lupin the 3rd VS Cat's Eye' PV 2nd release! 'World exclusive distribution' on Prime Video from Friday, January 27, 2023! -YouTube

©モンキー・パンチ 北条司／ルパン三世VSキャッツ・アイ製作委員会

◆ 'Lupin III VS Cat's Eye' work information
·staff
Original: Monkey Punch 'Lupin III' / Tsukasa Hojo 'Cat's Eye'
Director: Kobun Shizuno Hiroyuki Seshita
Screenplay: Hideharu Kuzuhara
Deputy Director: Keisuke Ide
Character design: Haruya Nakata Junko Yamanaka
Production Design: Naoya Tanaka Ferdinand Paturi
Art Director: Mitsunori Katayama
Editing: Fumi Hida
Sound Director: Hiroshi Shimizu
Music: Yuji Ohno/Kazuo Otani
Animation Production: Toms Entertainment
Animation production cooperation: Moe
Production: Lupine III VS Cat's Eye Production Committee

·music
'Lupin III'
Music: Yuji Ohno
'THEME FROM LUPIN III 2019 ~ Playback '80'
Composition/Arrangement: Yuji Ohno / Performance: You & Explosion Band
'Cats eye'
Music: Kazuo Otani
Arranged by fox capture plan

theme song
Anri ANRI 'CAT'S EYE 2023'
Lyricist: Noriko Miura
Composer: Yuichiro Oda
Arrangement: Taiji Ogura. Dave Raitzas

'Lupin III VS Cat's Eye' Opening Theme
fox capture plan 'THEME FROM LUPIN vs CAT'S EYE'

·cast
Lupine III: Kanichi Kurita
Daisuke Jigen: Akio Otsuka
Goemon Ishikawa: Daisuke Namikawa
Fujiko Mine: Miyuki Sawashiro
Inspector Zenigata: Koichi Yamadera
Future pupil: Keiko Toda
Future Tears: Rika Fukami
Future love: Chinatsu Sakamoto
Toshio Utsumi: Yoshito Yasuhara
Nagaishi: wheat person
galaxy banjo
Hiroki Higashiji
Takayuki Sugo

Delivery URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0B8THMHBS
Copyright: ©モンキー・パンチ 北条司／ルパン三世VSキャッツ・アイ製作委員会
Official website: lupin-vs-catseye.com
Official Twitter: @lupin_vs_cats
Hashtag: # Lupine VS Cats
* Membership registration is required to view the work. (For Amazon Prime, see the Amazon.co.jp site.)
Amazon and all Prime Video-related trademarks are trademarks of Amazon.com , Inc. or its affiliates.

Related Posts:

in Interview,   Video,   Anime, Posted by logc_nt