At this year’s Anime Expo, we had an exciting opportunity to engage with the talented team from A-1 Pictures, celebrating the studio’s impressive 20-year journey in the anime industry. The panel featured prominent figures such as Atsushi Kaneko, the producer known for his work on the acclaimed series “Solo Leveling,” Shunsuke Sugimoto, producer of the well-received “Lycoris Recoil,” and Toshitaka Morioka, the CG Director for both “Solo Leveling” and “Lycoris Recoil.” Each of these individuals has contributed significantly to some of the most beloved anime series in recent years.
“Solo Leveling” has emerged as a standout title, becoming Crunchyroll’s most-watched anime series to date. Its gripping narrative and stunning visuals have captivated a global audience, leading to a fervent anticipation for a potential third season. On the other hand, “Lycoris Recoil” made waves upon its debut in 2022, topping weekly popularity polls for three consecutive weeks and ultimately earning first place in the rankings for the Summer 2022 Anime of the Season.
During our discussion, we explored various elements of creating these series and the exciting prospects that lie ahead for both projects. Here’s a closer look at the insights shared by the A-1 Pictures team, with slight edits made for clarity.
### The Journey of “Solo Leveling”
To begin, we asked Kaneko-san about the overwhelming success of “Solo Leveling.” Given its rapid rise to fame and numerous accolades in just a few short years, we wanted to understand the emotional experience behind such a well-received production. Kaneko-san shared his reflections, stating, “With 16 years in anime production, this success feels like the culmination of my efforts. I take immense pride in what we’ve accomplished, but I also carry a sense of apprehension about whether I will encounter another story as profound as ‘Solo Leveling’ in the future. It’s a blend of happiness and fear, a unique mix of emotions regarding this title and its future.”
### Original vs. Adaptation: Insights from Shunsuke Sugimoto
Next, we turned to Sugimoto-san to discuss the differences between working on original content versus adaptations. “Lycoris Recoil” stands out as an original series, and we were curious about how this impacts the creative process. Sugimoto-san explained, “The primary distinction lies in establishing a realistic world that feels believable. When working on adaptations, we start with an existing story, whereas original works require us to build everything from the ground up. For instance, while you might create a manga around a simple object like a pen, with original content, you have the freedom to shape the narrative from scratch. This flexibility allows for creativity in timelines and settings.”
He also mentioned a new initiative, Psyde Kick, which focuses on producing original anime. “As of July 1st, our new studio has been established, and it aims to place more emphasis on original anime. I believe we will see a shift in the industry towards more original projects in the coming years.”
### The Art of CG in Anime: A Perspective from Toshitaka Morioka
Moving on to the technical aspects, we asked Morioka-san about the remarkable CG quality in “Solo Leveling,” especially during action sequences featuring shadows and formidable enemies like the High Orcs. His insights were fascinating: “For the monsters in ‘Solo Leveling,’ I didn’t employ any extraordinary techniques for the CG. My focus was on achieving a captivating aesthetic and ensuring the anime’s physical appearance was striking. Utilizing a blend of CG and 3D animation allowed me the creative freedom to enhance visual storytelling, especially considering the extensive powers possessed by characters like Jinwoo.”
Morioka-san emphasized that the incorporation of CG was crucial for bringing the characters’ abilities to life. “Thanks to Jinwoo’s diverse powers, we were able to utilize the available space to create visually compelling moments. I believe the final product turned out exceptionally well.”
### The Global Impact of “Solo Leveling”
Kaneko-san further elaborated on his aspirations for “Solo Leveling” and its role in shaping the anime industry at large. “I hope that ‘Solo Leveling’ encourages viewers worldwide not just to watch our series, but to dive deeper into the realm of Japanese anime. With the rise of streaming platforms, many who previously hadn’t engaged with anime are now exploring it. Japanese anime has reached a mainstream status globally, and I hope our work contributes to this positive trend within the industry.”
### Human Connections in “Lycoris Recoil”
Sugimoto-san shared his vision for “Lycoris Recoil” and the emotional connections he aimed to highlight through the series. “I wanted this narrative to showcase the depth of human relationships, particularly between the characters Chisato and Takina. The essence of spending time with loved ones and cherishing those moments is something I hoped to convey. The title ‘Friends Are Thieves of Time’ is meant to reflect this sentiment positively, despite its implications.”
### Anticipating Future Seasons
As the conversation progressed, we ventured into the topic of future projects. Many fans are eagerly awaiting updates on “Solo Leveling” Season 3. Kaneko-san, while unable to provide official details, replied with enthusiasm, “As a producer, I cannot disclose specific information, but I can assure you that there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the project. Just like Goku’s Genki Dama, it’s a collective effort from everyone involved.”
Likewise, we asked Sugimoto-san about any forthcoming animations related to “Lycoris Recoil.” He noted, “Following the airing of ‘Lycoris Recoil,’ we announced plans for a new animation project. While many anticipate it to be the short titled ‘Friends Are Thieves of Time,’ there is a longer animation in development, although I cannot share specifics at this time.”
### Conclusion
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the A-1 Pictures team for taking the time to share their insights during Anime Expo, and a special thanks to Crunchyroll for facilitating the interview. For those who haven’t yet experienced the thrills of “Solo Leveling” or the emotional depth of “Lycoris Recoil,” both series are available for streaming on Crunchyroll, inviting new viewers into the captivating world of anime.
