Animation Nature

Understanding Contemporary Animations from Concept and Design
Author, Illustration: Yamamura Koji
Illustration: Yamamura Koji
Film Art, Inc.
1st edition: 2025.12.19
Format: A4 size, paperback
Pages: 328
ISBN: 978-4-8459-2518-6
C-Code: C0074
Design: Yasuo Totsuka (nu)
Cover Illustration: Yamamura Koji

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A book based on a class taught by the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Animation!
Metamorphosis, caricature, animacy... A completely new animation guidebook delving into the essence of animation expression from the two-time Annecy International Animated Film Festival Grand Prix winner.
This book is based on the lecture "Animation Concept Design Theory," which Koji Yamamura, one of Japan's leading independent animation directors, has been teaching for nearly 20 years at the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Animation, where he serves as professor. From the unique perspective of a creator of conception and design, Yamamura unravels the 10 characteristics that shape animation, including metamorphosis, caricature, and animacy, and introduces works from around the world. This book, written by a diverse range of artists, delves into the essence of animation, and can be read both as a theory of animation expression and as a guide to independent animation. From masters like Norman McLaren, Yuri Norstein, and Jan Švankmajer to recent breakthroughs like Sebastian Rodenbach and Adam Elliott, Yamamura interprets their works from his unique perspective, exploring the possibilities of animation expression. In the final chapter, Yamamura himself explains how the characteristics of animation discussed in other chapters relate to his own work.

Based not only on classes taught in the Animation Department of the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School, but also on the relationship between animation and other forms of expression such as painting, music, and dance, the book will encourage creators to think more deeply about their creative process. Furthermore, Yamamura's ten unique perspectives on animation will surely inspire animation fans to discover and rediscover these works. The book's cover and illustrations are also original works by Yamamura. The book will be available for pre-sale at the special screening "All About Yamamura Koji: A is for Animation," which will be held at Theater Shinjuku in Tokyo from December 5th to 18th, 2025.

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Animation artists featured in this book
Norman McLaren, Jacques Drouhin, Ish Patel, Andreas Hukade, Bruce Bickford, Osamu Tezuka, Boris Labbé, Georges Schwitzgebel, Ryan Larkin, Brothers Quay, René Jodoin, Jerzy Kutja, Mathieu Laveille, Preet Parn, John Hubley, Tex Avery, Phil Mulloy, Don Hertzfeldt, David O'Reilly, Yuri Norstein, Adam Elliott, Jan Švankmajer, Cristóbal Leon, Joaquín Cocinha, John Lasseter, Ladislav Starevich, Kihachiro Kawamoto, Michael Dudok de Wit, Sebastian Rodenbach, Tadanari Okamoto, and others.

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Table of Contents
Introduction
Prologue: What is Animation?
Chapter 1: Metamorphosis
Chapter 2: Perspective
Chapter 3: Repeat
Chapter 4: Choreography
Chapter 5: Caricature
Chapter 6: Individual
Chapter 7: Metaphor
Chapter 8: Symbol
Chapter 9: Animacy
Chapter 10: Narrative
Epilogue: On My Own Work
Conclusion
Filmography
Index

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