A Chat with Anime Industry Veteran Junji Nishimura, Director of Mechanical Marie

Action Romantic Comedy Animation for Fall 2025 Mechanical Mary Highly anticipated by fans Akimoto Aki‘s original six-volume comic series. Anime News Network thanks the opportunity to interview the director Nishimura Junji About his adaptation. Nishimura has over thirty years of experience in the industry, including work on numerous anime TV shows, OVAs, and movies.

As a senior animation director who has created classic works such as “The Wizard of Oz” Lucky boy and Ranma ½as well as famous directors like Mamoru Oshiiwho do you think has had a major influence on your directing style and the way you approach TV animation projects, e.g. Mechanical Mary?

Nishimura Junji: The work I do is deeply influenced by many who have come before me.

Among animation directors, there are Mamoru Oshiiof course, and Osamu Dezaki of The Adventures of Gamba and Tomorrow’s Joe. Starting from live-action movies, Japanese film directors in the Showa era——Kenji Misumi and Noboru Tanaka. And of course Hitchcock!

The way they compose and compose images has always been my compass.

Your resume includes a lot of romantic comedies, but you also have a few mostly action-oriented shows. What is your favorite type of animation to direct? Why?

West Village: Most of my job is not to bring my own original projects to the studio and get them approved, but to be asked to direct projects that have already been decided upon.

Simon, real tearsand glass glue All are rare exceptions. I enjoy working across multiple genres, so whenever I’m asked to direct in a genre I’ve never worked with before, I happily accept. For example, The Demon King of Kyokara! very light BL. Dog days of summer It’s about heroes with dog ears, cat ears, and squirrel ears. Each time it was my first time doing that type of work.

I like new things. I like adventure. New genres always offer new possibilities in directions I’ve never explored before.

What motivates you to continue directing animation after 45 years in the industry?

West Village: As I just mentioned, I love trying new things. The world of animation – and I suppose the same goes for live-action films – is constantly evolving in terms of filming techniques and methods.

The voice actors continue to deliver refreshing performances. And the response from young audiences is always fresh. I would like to continue doing this forever if I could.

When you look back on your long career, what is your proudest achievement?

West Village: I’m proud of most of my work. But if I must give a few examples: pro golfer saru, Ranma ½, Lucky boy (TV 1981), you were arrested, hamelin violinist, Simon, wind story, real tears…well, let’s be honest, the list goes on.

How did you choose your next animation project and what specifically inspired you to choose to direct? Mechanical Mary?

West Village: My long-standing policy has been: if I get a job offer and my schedule works out, I’ll take basically anything!

character of the same name Mechanical Mary is a terrifyingly strong but expressionless girl who must pretend to be a robot maid. Mary herself isn’t really an android, but do you have a favorite AI or robot character from anime or other media, and did you keep them in mind when directing? Mechanical Mary?

West Village: My favorite robot character is 8 people go through Kazumasa Hiraiand his prototype, the detective from “Robot” robot blues. He is a ruthless cyborg burdened with pain.

Pink-haired girls are a truly iconic element of modern anime, with many famous examples beloved by anime fans, and now it’s hoped Marie will join their ranks. Do you consider yourself a pink-haired fangirl, or do you find that you like other character types or designs?

West Village: As you said, female characters with pink hair always make a special impression.

Just in my own work, there’s Dakki from soul hunterfemale random horse Ranma ½Neviller Simonand Migioli Dog days of summer. This time for Mary, it’s been five (apologies to any characters I’ve left out!).

Of these, the initially serious character Niveriel probably makes the most lasting impression.

The character of Mary in the comics appears expressionless and emotionless, but also sweet. How did you do that in the animated adaptation to ensure that audiences would fall in love with her as much as her owner, Arthur?

West Village: Mary was expressionless but sensitive. Her inner voice—her feelings—are expressed in the little “window Mary” that appears next to her blank face. When placed side by side, her inner emotions beneath her expressionless exterior should be more prominent.

Both protagonists face significant challenges: Mary must keep her true identity secret from her beloved master Arthur, while Arthur himself struggles with emotional isolation and the constant threat to his life from jealous, scheming relatives. Which Mechanical Mary What character do you most identify with? Why?

West Village: Directors must always treat every character in the work equally and fairly!

No matter how small the role, I try my best to prepare scenes and plots that allow each character to shine. Never favoring an actor has been my motto for a long time.

That said… I think “Roy” the guy who always thinks things through is my personal favorite.

What challenges do you face in deciding what tone and balance to use? Mechanical MaryA story with the disparate ingredients of a dark family murder conspiracy, light-hearted romance, screwball comedy and high-octane action?

West Village: A real blend of elements – that’s the nature of entertainment. The real joy of directing is balancing these elements.

That’s why, for Mechanical Marycoordinating this balance is the most important part of this direction. This is very interesting.

I hope you guys enjoy it too!

Mechanical Mary Premiered on Crunchy roll The comic series will be released in North America on October 5 Yen Press in the united states