This April, Mobile Suit Gundam series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon), an esteemed accolade bestowed by the Japanese government. In a recent interview celebrating the recognition, Tomino discussed his dedication to anime direction and offered insights into contemporary trends in filmmaking (Kyodo News).
Highlighting the pivotal role of a director in anime and film production, Tomino remarks that “In the digital age, there are individuals who simply capture panoramic visuals without a coherent narrative and label them as ‘movies.’ My point is – that’s not directing.”
The Gundam visionary suggests that a possible issue with modern filmmaking is the absence of a “sense of wonder.”
Tomino recalls that in the past, the pursuit of this “sense of wonder” was a guiding principle for many aspiring filmmakers. For instance, after several conventional shots, there would often be a sequence that prompted viewers to track the characters with their gaze, followed by a shot showcasing expansive scenery. “The audience becomes engrossed in the narrative by locating the characters within the vast backdrop. This act of searching is where ‘the sense of wonder’ originates,” Tomino elaborates.
“But with digital technologies now so prevalent, do films still possess that sense of wonder?,” he inquires.
As technology has advanced to the point where virtually anything can be created, there is little room left for genuine surprise for the audience. “CG is an incredibly handy tool that allows for effortless duplication or manipulation of objects. However, many anime and films today seem to use CG merely to showcase its capabilities, having forgotten the foundational principles of direction and storytelling that lend films their sense of wonder.”
“Something that has been troubling me lately is the excessive resolution in images. When a close-up is so detailed that one can discern the pores on skin, I wonder – is it truly appropriate for such details to be visible? There are characters whose pores we would rather not see. Directors have grown overly reliant on cameras, resulting in films that appear to have been made without much effort,” Tomino adds.
When questioned about his views on generative AI, Tomino noted that while the technology is becoming more convenient, many lack the discernment to determine whether it truly fits a dramatic context. “It seems the ‘eye of the director’ is not being sufficiently exercised these days. For close-ups, the ease with which such shots can be achieved means the actor only needs to be moderately skilled to carry the scene.”
“There are even films that neglect to follow a narrative structure. What I’m trying to convey is that we must make an effort to depict the process of dramatic storytelling itself.”
Regarding Tomino’s own endeavors, the director is currently working on a new project, though he has kept it under wraps. He asserts that if given the opportunity to produce it, he is confident it will be a masterpiece.