Japan's Most Prominent Technical School Holds Graduation Exhibition [3/3]

Last time, Mitsuru Sato, head of Nippon Engineering College’s (NEEC) Creator’s College. This time, we talked with Okinori Daino, head of the Manga and Animation Department about the contents of his classes and what he would like to convey to students.

TOM: What kind of classes are offered in the manga and animation major?
Daino: For animation, the contents of the classes are the same as what is actually required working as a professional in animation. From the beginning, students study the process of commercial anime and then they create their own original works. For manga, the curriculum starts with teaching students how to use pen and other basics and goes as far as teaching them how to coordinate their own works and sell them to publishers.

TOM: Japan’s subculture is extremely popular even overseas. Do you get many students from abroad?
Daino: The majority of foreign students are from China, Korea, and other parts of Asia, but there are also some from America and Europe. The impression I have is that Japanese anime is popular overseas, but the amount of people who want to pursue creating in this field are few. Of the foreign students, there are many who want to work in Japan, but as much as we can, we want these students to return to their respective countries with the techniques they learn so that they can broaden them there.

TOM: Is there anything that you tell your students to always be conscious of?
Daino: I have been a teacher for 14 years, and I always say, “You can’t watch things like anime and manga from the viewpoint of someone who creates work.” If it’s viewed as a hobby, it’s okay, but if you try to study using only that, it’s difficult. Creators don’t spend days off at their homes, they go out and experience the world with all of their senses and they absorb what they observe. I want students to see many aspects of the world and broaden their horizons.

TOM: What do you think regarding the viewpoint of globalization?
Daino: I want students to view the world more. Students don’t have an awareness with regard to globalization. The market is not solely in Japan, it’s global, and I want students to know how the world sees Japan.

TOM: It would be great if the young generation rapidly expanded Japan’s wonderful techniques to the world, wouldn’t it? Thank you very much for your time today!

This is a TokyoOtakuMode original article.