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On July 4, Nitroplus member and creator Gen Urobuchi held a discussion panel at Anime Expo 2014 in Los Angeles, U.S. Participating in the panel were Urobuchi and CEO Takaki Kosaka, both from Nitroplus, as well as the CEO of Good Smile Company, Takanori Aki.
The three took the stage against a backdrop of passionate cheers from the crowd. They started with giving short self introductions. After that, Kosaka explained what kind of company Nitroplus is. A short video titled “Nitroplus in 3 Minutes” was then shown, which outlined in rapid succession the works Nitroplus has helped created to date. Cheers that were close to being screams were raised from the crowd each time visuals were shown on screen from hugely popular works including Madoka Magica, Psycho-Pass, Fate/Zero, Demonbane, Togainu no Chi, and Saya no Uta. It showed how much the hearts of West Coast fans have been captured by Nitroplus’ works.
More on Nitroplus was projected on slides at the end of the video. “We create a comfortable environment by utilizing a tatami room as our meeting room and more. We cleaned up the company with the royalties we get from Madoka Magica and Steins;Gate [laughs],” jested Kosaka to loud cheers and laughter from the crowd.
After that, Kosaka passed the baton of explaining the company to Urobuchi, who then proceeded to talk about the works he has been in charge of up till now. Among them, the one that incited the most response was Madoka Magica. “We created this anime with vigor, but I didn’t think it would be well-received by so many people all over the world. I’m worried about what to do for the sequel,” hinted Urobuchi. It seems fans can look forward to a sequel to come.
Also talked about at the event was the currently broadcasting series Kamen Rider Gaim. “I’m right in the middle of writing the second to last episode, which I have been doing on flights coming and going from Japan. I plan to write the final episode soon after returning to Japan,” said Urobuchi, showing his enthusiasm for the finale.
Regarding the movie Expelled from Paradise which will release theatrically on Nov. 15, Urobuchi, who himself is completely satisfied with the overall work, said, “We’re using the same techniques as Arpeggio of Blue Steel and 009 Re:Cyborg, which were created in full 3D. While this is a risky technique even in Japan, the results leave quite a good impression. I think anime created with this technique will increase from here on.”
During the Q&A segment, attendees asked questions of the three including, “Who is your waifu?” In response to this, Aki said, “That’s a secret. It’s Kill la Kill’s Mako-chan”; Kosaka said, “Super Sonico please”; and Urobuchi said, “My favorite is Yorda from ICO.” The crowd was fired up upon hearing these responses. The roughly 1 hour talk among these three gave light to many interesting tidbits of information. American fans no doubt left fully satisfied.
Source: animeanime
