Mamoru Kanbe: Major Works as Director
· Ninja Ryukenden (1991)
Nana Toshi Monogatari (1994)
Harimogu Harry (1996)
Cardcaptor Sakura (episode director, 1998-2000)
Elfen Lied (TV 2004; OVA 2005)
Robonimal Panda-Z: The Robonimation (2004)
I”s Pure (2005)
Kikoushi-Enma (2006) Q: How did you break into the Anime industry?
A: Although I (originally) wanted to do live-action films, I was looking for work during a recession and movie houses just weren’t hiring anybody. Since the anime industry is chronically short-handed and always looking for people, I went that direction instead, just to keep food on my plate. But even then I wasn’t able to secure full-time employment at first, so I had to sign on part-time. My first job was a production assistant on Nausicaa of the Valley Wind, but my first directorial project was Super Mario’s no Kotsu Anzen (Super Mario’s Traffic Safety), a short film designed to teach kids about traffic rules. Q: What are the best and worst things about being a Director?
A: The part I like is hammering out concepts and seeing the plot take shape, and of course I’m always delighted when a project is complete. What I don’t like is feeling so separate from everyone else. The life of a director is a lonely one. Q: If you could do anything at all, what would you do?
A: I’d like to make a really big live-action film, a giant blockbuster of a movie that I get to spend ludicrous amounts of time and money on!
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