Dandelion Studio has been around for nearly 20 years. You probably know that they are the production company responsible for the acclaimed films The first major slam dunk Or Oscar-nominated movie Magic Candy. CEO of the studio, Kazuhiro Nishikawapresent Animation Expohe spent some time talking about his passion for the medium and shared some history that laid the foundation for the studio’s creative process. He also shared some insights on the studio’s upcoming Webtoon anime adaptation electronicto be released sometime in 2026.
First of all, happy 18th anniversary of Dandel Studio! Can you share how the studio first formed a journey with five members and expanded to over 100 members?
Kazuhiro Nishikawa: After I leave toei animationThere are only five of us, including me. But then, directors, animators and technicians began to start one by one year after year. About five to six people were added per project. That’s how we add so many people over time.
What prompts you to leave toei Find your own studio?
Nishikawa: The reason why I left toei animation About twenty years ago, CG used CG in a similar visual way. CG is used for movie scenes in movies or background scenes. However, I have other ambitions to create characters and explore more creative possibilities through CG animation. I left toei Pursuing these ambitions.
I understand. What’s next for the next step from assisting other studios on projects to producing studios’ own feature-length movie movies?
Nishikawa: In fact, we start by creating 2D visuals for certain projects. Then, as the project progressed, more requirements were raised. People started using our technology and drawing on our experience, which led to us being asked to do more projects. First, we got the requirements of a 2D production company. This is part of the CG work in the animation. But then we started receiving direct requests from production committee company members to do more CG work. We have the opportunity to create more characters on the screen. So, for example, like a band member or a character dancing. These are the traits we are really good at.
Are you talking about fine-tuning specific techniques and different role movements? Which projects would you say bring together all of these technologies?
The first major slam dunk This is a noteworthy example because that’s why I set up the company: using CG to make movies. It’s finally time for us to take more than a decade to make a movie. Our challenge is whether we can make a movie in a way that really resonates with the audience. It took us about seven years to make that movie and it was very rare to have this opportunity to take this time and create something carefully. So, for us, it is a very groundbreaking and famous project for our company.
Another noteworthy item I remember is Magic Candy. It was a short film, but was nominated for the Oscar. This is not what we intend to win an Oscar. The college just called us and we were surprised but also happy to be nominated. This actually makes us realize that our work is recognized not only in Asia, but in other countries such as the United States and Europe. We like to make this determination and we should continue to do our own work. That’s how we see this project as a groundbreaking one.
Because these two movies have very different styles, not only compared to other anime movies, but how do you follow the style of the movie you are making?
During the production phase, we discuss in the staff what style we should adopt. We asked the director how to proceed, make plans, and discuss how to move in that direction. We then use it as the basis for developing new technologies and testing the works. This is how we take the time to make decisions. So it depends on the title, what kind of worldview or the character we are playing with. What I really want to set is how the audience perceives the character realistically. So, that’s how we make more important decisions about the details.
When I was researching, one of the mottos I saw in the studio is that you want to provide a “gift” to kids around the world. What do you think is the ideal children’s animation?
What I mean to kids or kids around the world, I also meant to still have kids imagining teenagers and adults. When we talk about children’s thoughts, it’s about curiosity or how to enjoy things. We want to make and present projects to kids around the world to keep them in mind. We want to leave them something memorable or inspire them to change their values. We think this is what we want, so that’s the motto.
©His son Zha Lebole Leboon©”Eleceed” animation partner
Now, about your upcoming project, which is based on the Korean network electronic. What can you tell us about this work? I understand it will also have some unique visual technology. Would you mind detailing the appearance, feel and production of the project?
As I mentioned earlier, the production and appearance of the project vary. The first major slam dunk and Magic Candy There is a firm separation between its hand-painted parts and CG parts. but electronicWe want to actively produce a mixture of these visual styles.
Are you talking about making 2D-CGI hybrid?
Yes, but it’s farther than that. First, there is no storyboard drawn. The scene is set using CG visually. This way, we can continue to change the camera angle. We do this throughout the story. Then, we start drawing the CG. This is a unique part about the anime. When the news release Dandelions are production studios, everyone said it would be like CG animation. I fully understand this reaction, but in reality, it’s not just CG animation. Like 2D character animation, this will be a completely mixed 3D experience. However, we use 3D CGI for background technology, and due to the CG base, the characters can be smoother. We don’t have to start from scratch. We will always be about where the characters are and where we want to show their foundation. So, this is a very unique hybrid animation.
So to confirm my understanding, you are creating a storyboard and using CGI to capture scenes of motion and scene transitions. Ultimately it becomes the basis of 2D animation. I don’t think this is usually done compared to most other anime works.
Its expressiveness is far more expressive than it usually does. You could say this is similar to what some people use MoCap where they will draw realistic images, but we just replace realistic images with CG models and landscapes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skxgukaoiqs
Can you provide some examples that such a technique can accomplish? Like, what can you find elsewhere about what this type of work can do?
This approach means we don’t have to worry about the framework between them. It all will be a smooth and smooth moment. We can then edit or cut the scene afterwards. We can experiment in the production process without having to see everything from the beginning. Usually, once we set up the storyboard, we can’t change it.
This is interesting because I do know that when doing 3D you can be free with camera movement and other elements. OK, that’s fun. I’m curious about what it would look like. What specifically makes you choose this network to work and apply these technologies to?
When I first introduced this Webtoon, I resonated with the characters. Sometimes, in anime, I don’t understand why the characters are fighting. But in this story, I can understand why these characters need to fight. So it makes me feel like I can resonate with how each character feels. Describing the subtle nuances of a character is key. That’s what I think. This will make the action look more interesting when animate. That’s why I chose this network.
Is there a specific character that appeals to the most in your series?
Notice!
cat? Can I ask why?
Sometimes it’s cute. That’s why I like it. But there is a gap. I like this character, Kayden changed his character after becoming a cat himself. This is the difference after he becomes a fat cat, and then he communicates with Jiwoo, and his character changes through the cat’s character. That’s something I really like.
Do you want to leave any final thoughts with your fans, or the final message of a new series coming soon?
Please look forward to it electronicAnd I think we did a good job highlighting the importance of world roles, environment and worldview.
Thank you so much.
Ann’s report on the 2025 Animation Expo is sponsored by Yen Press and Ize Press!
