Kazuya Kanehisa On The Art Of Mid-Century, Analog-Style Anime
Animator Kazuya Kanehisa is captivating audiences online with a distinctive style that evokes the feeling of vintage animated films and television from the 1970s and 1980s. His work, which began appearing on YouTube in 2022, blends modern concepts with a nostalgic aesthetic, drawing on influences from classic American animation and early Japanese animation.
A Lifelong Passion for Animation
Kanehisa’s fascination with animation began in early childhood, around the age of three or four. He was initially drawn to the “classical animations of the US,” including works from Disney, Fleischer Studios, MGM, and Hanna-Barbera, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. Public broadcasting and programmes like NHK’s Minna no Uta (Everybody’s Song) further broadened his exposure to independent animation.
The Beauty of Imperfection
Despite his deep interest, Kanehisa is self-taught, having considered but ultimately rejected formal art school. His path led him to explore the historical and industrial aspects of animation, and, crucially, the materiality of the medium itself. He developed a unique appreciation for the “wounds” on film – the scratches, lines, and damage that often accompany older formats.
Viral Success and Modest Returns
Kanehisa gained significant attention with his music video “Hai Yorokonde,” which has amassed over 200 million views on YouTube. While the video’s revenue goes to the music label, it has opened doors to other opportunities, including animation work for NHK’s children’s programme Minna no Uta and the preschool series The Wakey Show. However, ad revenue from his other videos remains relatively small, generating approximately 10,000 to 20,000 yen (less than $100 USD) monthly.
A Deliberate and Detailed Process
The creation of “Hai Yorokonde” was remarkably efficient, completed in just ten days. Kanehisa’s meticulous approach involves reconstructing the entire visual chain of a given era, considering factors like film stock (such as Kodachrome) and the characteristics of cathode ray tube televisions. He has extensively researched animation history, regularly visiting archives like the AD Museum Tokyo and the Broadcast Library in Yokohama.
Navigating the Modern Animation Landscape
Born in 2001, Kanehisa grew up with digital animation tools like Windows software and Nintendo’s Flipnote Studio. Despite his parents’ initial reluctance to share his work online due to concerns about online safety, he began writing about animation history on Twitter in 2017. He observes a shift in the Japanese independent animation scene, where a focus on virality and mimicking popular styles is overshadowing the sharing of unique and idiosyncratic work.
Future Projects and Artistic Direction
Kanehisa is currently considering a narrative short, potentially in the form of a mockumentary exploring the fictional history of 1960s and 1970s animation. He is also exploring opportunities to submit his work to film festivals, seeking a more considered audience than the often-harsh environment of YouTube comments. He may continue to create animations for television, as he has done with NHK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Kanehisa’s artistic style?
Kanehisa’s style is inspired by classic American animation from the 1930s and 1940s, as well as early Japanese animation and the aesthetic qualities of damaged film and VHS tapes.
How successful has Kanehisa been financially?
While his music video “Hai Yorokonde” has garnered over 200 million views, the revenue from that video goes to the music label. Ad revenue from his other videos is modest, earning him approximately 10,000 to 20,000 yen monthly.
What are Kanehisa’s future plans?
Kanehisa is considering creating a narrative short, potentially a mockumentary about the history of animation, and is exploring opportunities to submit his work to film festivals.
What role do you think the imperfections and limitations of older media formats play in shaping our appreciation for art and storytelling?