‘There are opportunities to create something together’: Creatives behind hit anime reflect on Kilkenny stay

Winner of nearly 20 accolades including Best Drama at the prestigious Crunchyroll Anime Awards while drawing six and a half million viewers for the premiere of its second season, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has taken the anime world by storm since it first aired in 2023.

Viewers have been captivated by the titular mage, Frieren, a quasi-immortal elf and her companions; fellow mage, Fern, and warrior, Stark, as they journey through a rich fantasy world which explores themes of loss, self-discovery and dealing with the passage of time.

Despite the global success of the series, two of the key minds behind the first season, Director, Keiichiro Saito, and Producer, Takafumi Nakame, haven’t rested on their laurels and are taking themselves out of their comfort zones by participating in the Global Anime Challenge (GAC).

The project is a Japanese government funded initiative which places top young animation professionals in studios around the world for training opportunities and cultural exchange to broaden the horizons of their indigenous industry upon their return home.

Nakame and Saito have spent the last month at the multi-Academy Award nominated Cartoon Saloon studio in Kilkenny and although the pair are already well established at the forefront of anime in Japan, learning new skills and techniques from the likes of co-founder and Creative Director, Nora Twomey has given them new perspectives on animation.

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“Nora, along with other core members of Cartoon Saloon, have been very generous with giving us masterclasses on animation production and also business aspects,” Nakame says.

“There’s a large range of things that they’ve taught us over the course of our stay here, so we’ve learned a lot of differences between how animation is produced in Ireland and also Japan,” he adds.

Travelling across the world to a new country and overcoming a language barrier to hone their craft would have been an intimidating prospect at first, but the welcome and hospitality they’ve received in Kilkenny has made the transition as smooth as possible according to Saito.

“This is our first time here in Ireland; people are just so nice and warm in welcoming us. Settling in and living here, I didn’t feel any difficulties so it’s been really nice,” he outlines.

Saito’s work in leading Frieren’s first season was also recognised at last year’s Anime Awards where he was named as best director, becoming the youngest ever winner at the age of 32.

Even with this high-profile recognition of his ability, working conditions in Japanese animation remain frequently difficult with long hours and pressured situations the norm.

The training at Cartoon Saloon has marked a welcome departure for Saito who’s had a weight lifted off his shoulders by the stark change of pace between the countries.

“While working on Frieren, I was making animation in a small space,” he recalls. “My work was very fixed and I was sitting at my desk all day; so by participating in the GAC, I’ve come across the ocean and I feel so much relief and freedom now.”

“I’ve been getting a lot of stimulation from seeing different cultures and meeting a lot of people so it’s been really, really exciting for me,” he continues.

Season two of Frieren is currently being released and although Saito is still working on the show in an assistant directing capacity, both he and Nakame stepped away from their previous roles in order to participate in the GAC.

Photo:  Emilie Bach and Maria Madelaire with Takafumi Nakame at Cleere's in Kilkenny

Leaving such an acclaimed series at the peak of modern anime seems like it would have been a hugely difficult decision to make, but Saito has no regrets about taking time to prioritise his own personal and professional development.

“The decision wasn’t all that difficult for me to make,” he asserts. “Yes, Frieren was a very successful experience for me but at the same time, I was reflecting and asking what was missing, what’s necessary for me to become a better director?”

“I felt that it’s about time for me to go out, observe and input; it’s been output time previously but now it’s time for input.”

“I think in the end, it’s working out well for Frieren and for myself as well,” he adds.

Both Saito and Nakame have spoken publicly about a sense of stagnation within the anime industry in Japan, something which prompted them to apply for the GAC. 

By broadening their horizons and networking abroad, they hope to forge new paths for international collaboration, and eventually develop their own brand new IP.

“While I’m in Japan, I’m within the Japanese cultural and societal frame,” says Nakame, who was also a producer on the hit film, Your Name. “However, if I’m abroad and intermingling different cultures and societies, my way of thinking will further expand.”

“Japanese anime is so popular around the world right now; people are so interested in what we do and of course we have overseas animators working on Japanese productions. I think it’s something wonderful that’s happening right now.”

“There are opportunities to create something together. By going outside Japan and meeting different people, making connections and networking, I think it’s going to further enrich that environment for more co-productions,” he describes.

The culmination of the GAC consists of the participants producing a short pilot trailer that will be screened at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June with a chance for these to be developed into feature length films or series.

Their pilot is still in the early stages of production and although Saito remains tight-lipped about any details on the plot or setting, when asked if there’ll be any nods to their time in Kilkenny, he reveals that some subtle hints may be present.

“Yes, maybe, but not directly,” he says. “Right now I’m thinking maybe the story takes place outside of Japan, I’m not sure yet.”

“However, by having all these wonderful experiences in Ireland and Kilkenny, the landscapes and these things can be reflected and maybe put into our work. That’s pretty much all I can say right now.”

Despite already being well-established, Saito and Nakame’s young careers have still been greatly aided by the guidance they’ve received from the veterans at Cartoon Saloon with Nakame believing that their work from this point on will be hugely inspired by the experience.

“We’ve been working on this for about a month and having all the dialogue with Nora-san really, really helped,” he recalls. “She was an inspiration for us and taught us so many things.”

“What I can say for sure is that our pilot film, what we’re going to be making in the future from now on, is something that we can only do because we came and had dialogues with Nora-san and interacted with so many people here,” he concludes.

“Please look forward to what we’re going to be making next.”

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