"Eternal Yugure," an original TV anime produced by PAWORKS, the animation production company behind "true tears" and "SHIROBAKO," is currently airing on MBS/TBS's late-night anime slot, "Super Animeism TURBO." It's a full-fledged love story set in a future world where AI technology has advanced. Protagonist Akira Himegami, who has pledged his love to his beloved Towasa Oh Maki, wakes up from years of cold sleep to find a city devastated by war. An android named Yugure, who bears a striking resemblance to Towasa, appears before Akira, and they embark on a journey together, believing they will be reunited with Towasa, who is believed to be alive somewhere in the world. We spoke to art directors Yuina Asai and Hiroko Tanabe about the behind-the-scenes production.
◇ Yuina Asai
-What were you responsible for in this work?
As an art director, my job was to draw art boards that served as guidelines for the workers drawing the backgrounds.
-What is your impression of the work?
At first, I was intrigued by how the keywords "marriage" and "android" would weave together the story. As I continued to read the storyboards, I felt that many people would empathize with the characters in this road movie, or perhaps find differences between themselves and the characters, and that this work would inspire them to reflect on themselves in their own way.
-What orders did the director give you?
The creation of the stage for this work began with Shiwa (Shiori), who assisted in the creation of art boards. Shiwa solidified the initial boards to reflect the distinctive order of this work, depicting a desolate world where familiar scenery, such as ruins and thriving plants, coexists with foreign cultures.
--The story is set in the near future and the future (a devastated world). What was important to you when expressing each world?
When depicting the devastated future world, many backgrounds featured rust and broken objects, but it was important to be conscious of the way the dirt was depicted to give the feeling of time passing off-screen, the activities of people 200 years later, and the weight of time. Compared to this devastated world with a lot of information, when depicting the near future, I was conscious from the start of depicting the clean, easy-to-see world that Shiwa intended.
--Although it's the future, it also feels nostalgic.
While following the world depicted by Shiwa, I was careful to weave in the colors of "Eternal Yugure" that I envision, and avoid creating monotonous images. Various locations appear during the journey of the main character Akira and his friends. As Akira and his friends move along with the changes in their emotions, I wanted to depict each place's unique beauty and interesting details, while also depicting the different cultures and architecture.
--What are the challenges unique to this work?
This was my first time working as an art director on a 30-minute animated film, so in that sense everything was a challenge, but the challenges I faced were depicting the two worlds of the future and an even more desolate future while taking different approaches, and putting the appeal of the characters first while also being conscious of supporting each aspect of the work by fully portraying the individuality of each setting.
-What do you think is the appeal of PAWORKS' videos?
When I was a student, I watched "Hanasaku Iroha" and "Nagi no Asukara" in real time, and the beauty of the images always took my breath away. The background art is of course wonderful on its own, but I think it has the power to stir emotions while also capturing the subtle emotions of the characters and staying close to the story. I also feel that after watching a work, it has the charm to make me realize how beautiful the world I see is.
-Finally, please give us a message.
Human relationships vary in many ways, not just in love, but like a gradation of forms. I assisted with the background art for this work, hoping to resonate with people living today who are carrying something within themselves. I would be very happy if something stays with you after watching it.
◇Hiroko Tanabe
---What were you responsible for in this work?
We made final adjustments by matching the worldview created by Asai and Shiwa, who created the art boards, and the colors and details of each scene with the background of each scene.
-What is your impression of the work?
The pace of the story was comfortable and I was drawn in! Many locations appeared in each episode, and the sense of people's lives and reality in each location was conveyed through careful character portrayals and the solid, powerful depictions on the art boards.
-What do you think is the appeal of PAWORKS' videos?
I was immersed in the charm of PAWORKS with "Hanasaku Iroha," and in "Eternal Yugure," I was overwhelmed by the persuasiveness of the images and the beauty of the colors! Even the smallest details are carefully crafted, and I can't stop staring at the screen.
-Finally, please give us a message.
It's a wonderful work filled with charming story, visuals, and characters! Please look forward to the broadcast.
