Some of the questions and answers that were talked about during the interview:
ANN: The first thing I'd like to start with is that there was a really exciting announcement earlier by the president of Production I.G for Psycho-Pass season two. I don't believe its been announced in Japan yet. Is Studio WIT going to be involved again and are you going to produce for the second season?
George Wada: If there is a season two, I would like to work on it again. [laughs, then in English] Sorry!
When it comes to working on Attack on Titan, what does your job entail?
As a producer, my main job is to create an easier working environment for the staff.
Attack on Titan is popular with both fans in Japan in the West. What about it do you think makes it appeal to Western audiences?
I feel there are two reasons why Attack on Titan is popular in the West and around the world. The first reason is overall, the theme of overcoming the "Wall of Fear" plays a big role in the series. I think people overcoming that fear is relatable to the audience. The second reason is there are many cool looking action scenes using the 3D maneuver gear. I think that caught people's attention.
The Wall of Fear is a very interesting concept. Do you think that theme of isolationism shown in the series is unique to Japan or resonates with international audiences too?
The idea of being isolated within the wall originated with manga creator Hajime Isayama, who was inspired by Japanese culture. The Japanese people can become very isolated and enclosed, so it's more of a Japanese cultural idea.
You've worked on two series, Psycho-Pass and Attack on Titan, and both were popular with Western audiences. Do those kinds of shows appeal to you more? What kind of themes attract you creatively?
For Psycho-Pass, the overall theme and idea was inspired by the L.A. Confidential film as well as a lot of Western films. Attack on Titan isn't influenced by Western culture, but humanity and society as a whole. It's more focused on every individual's inner feelings, instead of Western culture.
Attack on Titan and Guilty Crown generated a lot of buzz before they aired. Do you feel like this is pressure to succeed? Do you prefer working on a popular series or would you rather work on something less well known with less stress?
I feel very strongly about creating anime that will be popular. I have pride in creating anime people will enjoy. I don't want any of my works to be low-key or minor, so of course I want every anime I make to be popular. I let the creative staff come up with their own ideas of what will be really popular and go from there.
How do you feel Attack on Titan compares to the majority of modern anime?
I feel the main difference is the overall action theme. I think the series has the best action scenes overall with the unique 3D maneuver gear. In terms of action, Attack on Titan is more unique, more robust, and more appealing to fans than any other anime out there.
Are their plans to extend the Attack on Titan beyond 26 episodes? The manga is still ongoing.
I can't tell you how many episodes there are until the end, but there is roughly 26, maybe? But as long as the manga continues to go on, I would like to continue to anime series too.
Is there a character in the series that you find most inspiring?
I like Sasha best, the potato girl.
How does working with a brand-new studio change the production dynamic compared to larger, more established studio?
Wit Studio allows myself and the staff to focus more on creating a single anime and put more effort into a single project compared to say, Production I.G where I would have a smaller staff and multiple projects. That's what I think the main difference is between the two.
Is there a genre of anime you would like to try next, such as sci-fi or fantasy?
I'm not really interested in categorizing into specific genres, but I want to create something for 10-14-year-old kids. I'd like to create something for that audience.
Still unclear if Psycho-Pass new content will be a second season T_T *fingers crossed*
"Are their plans to extend the Attack on Titan beyond 26 episodes? The manga is still ongoing.
I can't tell you how many episodes there are until the end, but there is roughly 26, maybe? But as long as the manga continues to go on, I would like to continue to anime series too."
Nice interview, and there is obvs gonna be a second season of Attack on Titan lol. It is one of the highest selling anime of the 2000s, only a fool wouldn't cash in on the success.
I prefer a Psycho Pass movie, just for closure. I wanna know what happened with
Ahh interesting. I have never thought about how the walls can relate to the isolation of Japan. Neat! :)
A series for 10-14 year olds sounds pretty cool too. I'd watch it...
And go potato girl! ^o^
PoeticJustice said: Nice interview, and there is obvs gonna be a second season of Attack on Titan lol. It is one of the highest selling anime of the 2000s, only a fool wouldn't cash in on the success.
I prefer a Psycho Pass movie, just for closure. I wanna know what happened with
I prefer a Psycho Pass movie, just for closure. I wanna know what happened with
Kougami and Akane needs to die.
Psycho-Pass spoiler:
And makishima needs to come back to life.
Mod Edit: Please use spoiler tags.
That would be a good movie!
If
Makishima's brain is still intact, there's a chance to do what they epically missed in the series - stuff it with some nasty biological and cybernetic viruses and shove it in Sybil's ass
I'd watch it. I am not interested in another The Character Development of Akane continuation, exactly because such a dumb bitch coming out of Production IG studio is a no-no.
And seriously - [a] series for 10-14 year old kids? Bother only if the source is at the level of Kemono no Souja Erin - we are pretty much set with most of the rest, longer and shorter currently running series.
I prefer a Psycho Pass movie, just for closure. I wanna know what happened with
Kougami and Akane needs to die.
Psycho-Pass spoiler:
And makishima needs to come back to life.
Mod Edit: Please use spoiler tags.
aiyaa you guys...!!
forgot about Kagari-kun ! he should survive that shot...somehow .___. and lol akane is a good character (well at least to me xD)her kouhai is just too kawaii
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That would be even worse. The former Enforcers were awesome and yet didn't manage to change things, but Akane and her kawaii (what was it - a girl and two faceless others) kouhai will pwn it, right - Nu Zayats, Nu Pogodi :D
Now that you mention Kagari, how about making two movies - one that would end the series in a way that makes sense, has better pacing and puts a backbone and brain in the female MC, the other - taking the CS down.