BTS with Mechanical Animation Director Satoshi Shigeta
The blockbuster film "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM," which debuted on January 26, set a new record for box office sales of 4.4 billion yen and audience attendance of 2.6 million in its 80 day in Japan. Mechanical Animation Director Satoshi Shigeta, who is in charge of the 3DCG battle scenes and model checks for the mobile suits, gave insights into the obstacles encountered during this newest installment's CG creation.
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| Screenshot: Takanori Nishikawa with t.komuro - FREEDOM music video |
Shigeta expressed relief and astonishment at the film's success, citing the unexpectedly large turnout and strong feedback on social media, which he found both exhilarating and terrifying. He explained that, while the production staff may not always be as enthusiastic as the crowd, being able to deliver to the fans was rewarding.
He was responsible for keeping the 'SEED look' for the new Mobile Suits while adhering to the design proportions established in the TV series. This necessitated thorough model checks and oversight of the CG animations to ensure compatibility with the signature look set by designer Kunio Okawara.
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| Screenshot: Takanori Nishikawa with t.komuro - FREEDOM music video |
One key challenge was adjusting the proportions of the new and old mobile suits. The production featured over 50 different mobile suits and battleships, requiring substantial model creation even for brief situations. Shigeta explained that there was no standard format for model verification, resulting in a variety of supervision tactics ranging from vocal directions to detailed diagrams.
The design of new units such as the Black Knight Squad and Z'Gok was very difficult, requiring numerous modifications to achieve the proper proportions and aesthetics. These models, with their distinct design languages, represented a considerable departure from previously established designs, complicating Shigeta's supervisory function.
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| IMAGE: TAMASHII WEB Director Mitsuo Fukuda with Satoshi Shigeta during the METAL BUILD Freedom Gundam CONCEPT 2 interview |
Shigeta remarked on the advancement of computer graphics techniques since he began working with them. His past experience with three-dimensional products such as Gunpla and METAL BUILD helped him build a strong methodology for efficiently communicating his supervisory goals, which was critical in dealing with the large amount of material and simultaneous 3D cut checks.
As "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" continues to gain popularity and praise, Satoshi Shigeta's thoughts show the delicate mix of artistic vision and technological expertise required to bring such ambitious projects to reality. His commitment to preserving the series' past while pushing the bounds of CG animation exemplifies the Gundam franchise's continuous creativity and passion.
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