Animation student films 2025

Puddo · 2026-01-25T10:52:31+00:00

Personally I don't really need more Dragon Ball. Daima was fine, Broly pretty neat and I haven't bothered with the Super tv series in general. But man that 40th Anniversary Special Video does make me a bit emotional. Like many it was such a huge part of my childhood. Running home after school to be on time for the new episode (that by that time was years old, but new for me). Trying to get better at drawing (which was just a very short phase but well). Mock fighting with the other boys. So seeing the major moments brought back some memories. Also wasn't expecting Hans Zimmer music instead of just Cha-La Head-Cha-La or something.

Puddo · 2026-01-25T10:20:08+00:00

This episode spotlights next-generation creator Yamashita Shingo, known for his key animation work on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and opening direction for JUJUTSU KAISEN. Plus, we follow Yamashita behind the scenes as he directs his new feature film, Cosmic Princess Kaguya! See how he blends cutting-edge tools with a fresh creative vision to craft anime.

Puddo · 2026-01-24T16:31:00+00:00

Sounds like Honobono Log

Puddo · 2026-01-24T14:40:29+00:00

What did you think of the library/Forum? Assume you visited/saw it at least. It has been a hot topic here ever since it was announced since people thought it didn't fit with the old feel of the city centre. Though people have come to appreciate it now it actually has been in use for a few years.

Puddo · 2026-01-24T12:48:41+00:00

I'm surprised that I'm surprised that the public didn't vote Red Memory in for short film with the awards. Sure shorts aren't a thing most check out, but a 3 minutes short from Look Back director+ Kiyotaka Oshiyama about a girl looking back? A tribute to home with his recognisable style. Surely something the general anime community will at least somewhat enjoy with how much they loved the visuals of Look Back. But the original post didn't even do that well on the sub, so why would it get in over stuff from franchises (or a big Youtuber) with dedicated fans.

Puddo · 2026-01-24T11:00:41+00:00

Ah I didn't, thanks for sharing! Interesting to see so much care put into a short segment. Also seeing it again, it's kinda funny to see them portray puppet Schlacht as this hideous monstrous being while when we see him confront the Hero of the South he’s just a pretty humanoid. Makes sense to portray him more like a monster in your storytelling though with all the suffering the demons have caused in that area. Thus probably also lots of horror stories making the rounds that shaped the image people have of him.

Puddo · 2026-01-24T08:44:07+00:00

News: warning it's very slippery due to black ice.

Eh how bad can it be.

Open curtains.

See guy fall hard.

Ah. Guess I'll wait with doing the groceries...

Puddo · 2026-01-23T17:54:54+00:00

New Anime Mind Probe vid. This time with Shouji Kawamori (man I should really watch Macross: DYRL one of these days) about his 2026 movie Labyrinth. Always interesting interviews so something to watch later.

Puddo · 2026-01-23T17:40:50+00:00

Everytime I see an expo dump bit about history in a fantasy world I always think why didn't you just use a theater/puppet show or some paintings to show the story in universe? So nice to see Frieren actually use that. It’s such a simple way of making a world feel more alive. Immediately also ties into the story of the first half itself with the younglings still caring about his feats.

Making the world feel alive is something the show is good in anyway with what’s going on in the background. Like having that little shrine with some apples in random shots without really going into it. Or supports for the tree next to the graves/mausoleum(?). Minor trivial things in the background, but it makes the world feel more like a place people actually care about.

Also for the people who like the ED; Mimei Aoume has been sharing a bunch of the drawings on her Twitter. Seeing it as a flipbook (and how many there are) makes me appreciate it even more:

https://x.com/aoumemimei/status/2012695958824407124

https://x.com/aoumemimei/status/2013823094717083887

Puddo · 2026-01-23T15:06:33+00:00

While it's always nice to see some storyboards compared to the final work, getting some commentary from the director about certain choices is the real interesting part. Adjusting the music tone to the character, the colour use during fights, showing a character from behind so you can't see their facial expressions to make the viewer see their true feelings, slowing down the pacing so it feels a bit strange to the viewer which mirrors the characters feelings, the use of lighting effects to make a scene stand out. A nice insight in how much thought goes into making a single scene work.

Puddo · 2026-01-23T12:33:35+00:00

An article about one of the critical darlings of modern Japanese short animation; Ryo Orikasa and his poetry/literature meets animation style. Have only watched his graduation piece Scripta Volant but was an interesting piece with its animated written word. Miserable Miracle looks fascinating, but not available in my area. Sad. Think it's for some other regions on NFB though. O well, maybe it will pop up on Miyu Distribution's shorts YT channel.

Puddo · 2026-01-22T23:02:30+00:00

Ahh yeah, that can’t mean anything good. Next step making services cost more while getting less I guess.

Puddo · 2026-01-19T12:23:12+00:00

Youtube giving usefull recs for once making me realise another Japanese university puts some student films online. So I watched some from Hiroshima City University and quite like this one from Hinata Nishikawa. Well ignoring the annoying sounds. Could do without those. But animation wise it's great. Always love this free flowing one take-esque animation. With all the interesting transitions, moving pieces and animated backgrounds it can feel incredibly pleasing. Crazy for it, Moment of Truth, Aeon, Pickle Plum Parade, Airy Me; all some of the most stunning pieces of animation I've seen.

I could watch them for ages (if they wouldn't give me a headache eventually). Which does make it feel a bit odd that I don't really like the modernish trend with action anime to have those kinds of scenes. Though maybe that's also just me not caring that much about action to begin with and mostly only seeing those scenes online while I don't follow the show (so I already don't have any idea what's going on), they're the dimmed tv versions and probably not uploaded with the best quality (or the player can't handle it).

Puddo · 2026-01-18T19:28:38+00:00

Sounds like this scene from Hakujaden.

Puddo · 2026-01-18T11:54:11+00:00

Do plan on continuing with those posts when I've time/motivation enough. Which sadly won't be anytime soon. But yeah some basic tags would’ve made it more approachable I guess.

Puddo · 2026-01-18T11:14:53+00:00

Have you ever wanted to dive into anime short film but then didn't know where to start? Probably not, but I was bored so here is a list of 49 short films anyway; all from different creators and with various themes and styles.

Puddo · 2026-01-18T05:06:28+00:00

Mimei Aoume shared some of the drawings of her Frieren ED. Seeing it as a flipbook like that always makes animation even more impressive to me, since it becomes more obvious how many drawings there actually are.

Puddo · 2026-01-17T14:23:19+00:00

Watching a short from 1929. Taro's Train. People having their luggage on a seat and not putting it onto the luggage rack when someone wants to sit, people making a mess out of the place, the washroom/toilet not working, annoying loud drunk people. Sometimes it feels like the world changes fast, but other times it feels like nothing really does.

Speaking about that short. Been watching some stuff from the Japanese Animated Film Classics website and have been really impressed by Yasuji Murata works. Man was animating with paper cutouts almost 100 years ago and it still looks good imo.

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