Japan»

Shuzo John SHIOTA President & CEO, Polygon Pictures Inc. Shuzo John Shiota graduated from Sophia University, majoring in International Legal Studies.After joining Nippon Steel Corporation in 1991,Shuzo then jumped industries to participate in the launch of Dream Pictures Studio in 1997. He moved to Polygon Pictures two years later and in 2003 assumed the position of President and CEO. The company has since enjoyed exponential growth as the premier digital animation studio in Asia, winning many accolades including multiple Emmy Awards.In 2008, he was selected as one of the "25ToonTitans of Asia" by popular industry publication Animation Magazine. He is also the recipient of the Audi Wired Innovation Award 2016.Shuzo has also juried on many major Japanese and international film festivals, including PrixArsElectronica, SIGGRAPH, Annecy, and Digicon6. He has given talks worldwide, including TEDxKyoto in 2015. In his spare time, Shuzo engages in his life long passion as a vocalist in a classic rock band.

Yuichi ITOH Animation Director Born in 1962. He graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Design. In 1998, he established I.TOON Ltd and became its representative. Yuichi has mostly worked with clay, but also applied other methods to work on character design and animation. One of his best known works is NHK E TV’s “Knyacki,” which is now in its 24th year. He also produced the visuals for “Grasshopper Monogatari,” a song that was included in NHK’s “Minna-no Uta” (everybody’s song). He also made an appearance in the film. Yuichi directed the original animation “HARBOR TALE,” a story set in Yokohama Port in 2011. It received strong reviews both in Japan and overseas. He also designed “Garden Bear,” the mascot for the 2017 National Urban Greenery Fair. Yuichi is also a professor at the Graduate School of Film and New Media at the Tokyo University of the Arts. He sits on the board of the Japan Animation Association.

Tatsutoshi NOMURA Director/Animator/Professor Born in 1964. Tatsutoshi joined ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC. in 1987. After he worked as a director for commercials, he created original animations applying different types of methods. These include Fuji Television’s “STRAY SHEEP” and NHK’s “Jam the HOUSNAIL.” Tatsutoshi has also been involved in creating commercials, picture books, illustrations and exhibit visuals. He has been teaching animation at his alma meter Tama Art University, Department of Graphic Design since 2011. He is a member of the board of Japan Animation Association.

Kanae TAKEUCHI Reporter Takeuchi has reported from more than 100 countries in the world for over 30 years as a Mystery Hunter for the Japanese TV program “Discovery of the World's Mysteries”. She is still active as a reporter in Japan and abroad, and also produces hats, bags and shoes using her expertise from her many years of travels.

Isshin INUDO DIRECTOR Born in Tokyo in 1960. He began directing and creating independent films from high school. After he graduated university, Isshin became a director for commercials, and won numerous awards for the TV commercials he planned and directed. He made his debut as a director of feature films with “Two People Talking” in 1997, which won the Directors Guild of Japan’s new director’s award. In 1999, he directed “Across a Gold Prairie.” Isshin is also known for his movies “Josee, the Tiger and the Fish,” (2003), “La Maison de Himiko” (2005), “BIZAN” (2007) and “The Floating Castle” (2012). His most recent film, “Samurai Shifters” is due to be shown in August 2019.

Jin KATAGIRI Actor・Sculptor Born on November 27, 1973 in Saitama Prefecture. He graduated from Tama Art University. Jin has worked mostly for the stage, dramas and radio. Some recent works he directed are “99.9 Criminal Lawyer” (TBS) and “Your Turn to Kill” (NTV). He is due to direct a stage in November. In addition to his work in the theater, he has also been active in creative work using clay. He has held an exhibit of his works every year. Jin held his first overseas exhibit this year in Taiwan, which was very well received.

Paul Williams Animator Born in 1976 in England. After graduating from Swindon College of Art, He studied Animation at University of Wales College Newport. Since 2003 he has worked as an Animator in Feature Films in various countries including England, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Spain. Working on The Illusionist by Sylvain Chomet, The Red Turtle by Michael Dudok de Wit, Ethel and Ernest by Roger Mainwood and Funan - the new people by Denis Do, which also won the Crystal Award at Annecy in 2018. Paul has lived in Japan since April 2018.

Back to Summary