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Anime Tamago Announces Projects For 2019

The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) announced the studios and anime shorts chosen for the coming year's "Anime Tamago" (formerly "Anime Mirai") project on Friday.

As in previous years, the anime shorts will train young animators on-the-job as part of the Japanese government's Agency of Cultural Affairs' "Young Animator Training Project."

Half of the works will be 3DCG works.

Wit Studio
Title: Hello WeGo! (temporary title)
Director: Ryouji Masuyama (Blend S, Gurren Lagann Parallel Works)
Producer: Maiko Okada

Keica, Griot Groove
Title: Space Attendant Aoi (temporary title)
Director: Kei Yoshimizu (Zumomo to Nupepe)
Producer: Yumiko Yamanaka

This will be a CG work.

Nippon Animation
Title: Chuck Shimezō (temporary title)
Director: Eiichiro Nishiyama (animation director for Eiga Chibi Maruko-chan: Italia kara Kita Shōnen, Mysterious Joker)
Producer: Hirofumi Yamashita

Flying Ship Studio
Title: Captain Bal (temporary title)
Director: Masanori Numaguchi (Uchi no Oochopus)
Producer: Hiromichi Nakajima

This will be a CG work.

This year's selection committee consists of:

• Kenji Uchida (former president of Sunrise)
• Seiji Okuda (executive producer for Shochiku)
• Masao Takiyama (president of Animax Broadcast Japan)
• Nobuo Tomizawa (Telecom Animation Film animator)
• Mitsuru Hongo (anime director)
• Hiroo Maruyama (assistant director at Mainichi Broadcasting)

As before, all the shorts will be shown next year.

The Japanese government's Agency of Cultural Affairs launched its "Young Animator Training Project" in 2010 with the aim of fostering the growth of domestic animation studios, and tackling the concern that more of the Japanese animation process is being outsourced overseas. The project has spawned such works as Little Witch Academia, Death Billiards (which inspired the Death Parade television anime), and Ongaku Shōjo.

Sources: Anime Tamago website, Animation Business Journal (Tadashi Sudo)