STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Director Yasuhiro Kimura Talks How He Rode a Horse For Research The first episode of STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, titled “1st STAGE,” premiered recently, drawing praise for its tightly crafted 47-minute narrative. Director Yasuhiro Kimura explained his decision to conclude the episode without a cliffhanger, emphasizing the team’s preference for a more satisfying closure. He noted that ending with a cliffhanger would have created unnecessary stress for viewers, even though binge-watching is a common trend. Instead, the episode’s structure allows audiences to experience the full story in one sitting without the pressure of waiting for the next installment. Adapting the American West setting for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure presented unique challenges. Kimura highlighted the difficulty of finding accurate historical research materials on 1890s life, particularly in Japan, where experts on the era are scarce. While American films and period dramas provide rich resources, Japanese fans of the subject are hard to locate. To address this, Kimura collaborated with Professor Nishikawa, an expert in American history, who helped the team understand 19th-century clothing, customs, and architecture. This research was crucial for creating an authentic atmosphere that aligns with the series’ eccentric tone. Animating horses proved to be another significant hurdle. Kimura revealed he personally rode a horse to study its movements, noting the animal’s height and the challenge of riding across vast distances. The team estimated thousands of animation cuts would be needed for horse scenes, which would be impractical to achieve manually.#netflix #jojos_bizarre_adventure #steel_ball_run #yasuhiro_kimura #professor_nishikawa
STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Anime: Director Yasuhiro Kimura on Bringing the Series to Life The release of the extended first episode of STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is approaching, and director Yasuhiro Kimura has shared insights into the creative process behind the project. Known for his work on Golden Wind and the Urusei Yatsura remake, Kimura emphasized the team’s dedication to honoring the original manga’s spirit while adapting it for a new audience. Kimura described the first episode as a culmination of effort, noting that he has repeatedly watched it and feels pride in its execution. The team at David Production, many of whom are longtime fans of the manga, has worked tirelessly to ensure the anime captures the global fanbase’s expectations. Kimura highlighted the unique dynamic between Johnny and Gyro as a central focus, aiming to preserve the manga’s brisk, page-turning pace through careful editing. Unlike Golden Wind, which was originally serialized in a shonen magazine, STEEL BALL RUN was published in a seinen format, prompting Kimura to balance maturity with accessibility. This shift influenced his approach to onomatopoeia, which he toned down to reflect the series’ more adult themes without alienating existing fans. Kimura also discussed the technical advancements he incorporated, including 3DCGI techniques learned from previous projects like the 2.43 volleyball anime. These methods were applied to create the distinctive spin of Gyro’s steel balls, showcasing how his prior experience informed the visual style of STEEL BALL RUN. The anime’s aesthetic draws inspiration from American Westerns and Red Dead Redemption 2, particularly the striking contrast between red and black tones and the dramatic lighting of twilight scenes.#netflix #yasuhiro_kimura #david_production #jojos_bizarre_adventure #steel_ball_run
