Aonorokugo "Blue Submarine #6"

EXPLANATION OF WORK

Published in the 1960s, "Anorokugo," a sea adventure manga, captivated the hearts of many a teenage boy. The renewed "Blue Submarine #6" uses the latest in digital technology to create a cutting edge anime OVA that utilizes 3D and 2D computer graphics and Dolby digital sound. And in keeping up with the progress with the new animation market, laser disk, VHS, and DVD sales have been scheduled. This is novice director Mahiro Maeda's first directing job. Hiroshi Yamaguchi (screenplay) Range Murata, Takuhito Kusanagi (original character design), Shoji Kawamori, Yamashita Ikuto, (mechanical design) who are all elite contemporary creators, have banded together to produce a work, which surpasses the highly technological OVA production standards. By Maeda director's request, the band "The Thrill", who usually play at live houses, was hired. By using mature and wild music the animation will be vivacious. Also, to make the work true to life, The Maritime Self-Defense Force's assistance was requested. Actual submarines, destroyers, and other navy equipment were incorporated. You cannot measure the amount of dedication the staff has put in to keep to the truth and actuality of the written work as much as possible.

STORY

In the near future… Earth's population has exploded exponentially; the environment has turned for the worst. All of the world's countries have placed their hopes into humanity's last frontier, the ocean and its life forms, to establish new lives there. To preserve safety over and under water, a world federation of submarines from various countries was developed, known as "Blue". Of course, Japan was no exception to "Blue". As a part of "Blue", the Maritime Self Defense Force sent a sub as the sixth fleet. However, suddenly during the ocean development, one of "Blue"'s leaders, a genius scientist Zorndyke, poses terrorist threats. Zorndyke was disappointed by mankind's egotistical attitudes and selfishness. Humans were headed for self-destruction. He felt that he was doing humans a favor by speeding the process towards extinction. Through genetic engineering, he has created a new form of ocean life, which will take over Earth after the total extinction of mankind.

Zorndyke executed a terrorist plan to destroy humans by raising the sea level. Sadly, one billion lives perished. Humans are now at the last hour of their lives. Zorndyke's plans are to forcedly change the earth's environment and quickly put an end to human kind. "Blue" plans to have a final battle and its strategies are executed. Number Six underwent a series of repairs and rescues until it pulled into port at Tokyo's Shinjuku Bay. Number Six's landing had another important goal. To ensure the success of the mission, they must find and bring on board Tetsu Hayami, who possesses super technical powers. Mayumi Kino the Second, will be pairing with Tetsu to operate the newly equipped high-speed submarine tanker. Mayumi finally finds Tetsu, however, he is a questionable loafer who's made salvaging s profession. After meeting Testu, Mayumi is disappointed, but she keeps on pressing on to have him participate in the mission. However, Hayami doesn't budge.

"An innovative full computer graphics and sound bites that revolutionize animated movies"

Making the impossible possible… animation consists of various expressions, like a gallery of the imagination. The technology of SFX has advanced where actual pictures can be incorporated into the production. There are also parts where the animation can captivate the imagination. Dynamic details are illustrated in animation, which can be depicted freely on cel so you can challenge even the unknown fields.

In the world of animation a new movement is always occurring. This time it is the full CG animated cartoon production. Up to this point, experimentally many full computer graphic works have been developed. From the beginning to the end, we would like to use the method mentioned above, just as in the film every animation fan knows, "Toy Story". Pixar Inc., who gained independence from Lucas Films, revolutionized the equation to produce animation. We cannot however, fully eliminate cels and old techniques. Full CG production takes many days and is very costly. It will take a long time and effort until this is generalized.

James Cameron, who flexed his creative muscles in "Titanic", cleared the obstacle of time and money, in production of "Spider Man". He inputted cels into the computer and CG was then added to produce a new stage in animation. As you can tell, full CG production takes a lot of energy and cost, which is an important point from the management point of view.

To the Japanese animators who still use the traditional techniques of using cels, this procedure seemed that it was yet to come, until a hot new project called "Blue Number Six" popped into the scene. Full-length animation movie was obviously a new product, especially in full CG, along with OVA works. In all 4 volumes will be produced from '98 to '99 and released on VHS, Laser Disc, and DVD simultaneously.

To avoid duplication, I will not go into detail the contents of the story. Mankind fights the forces of organisms, they engage in high-tech submarine battles. A scientific action animated story with the ocean as it's setting, just hearing these elements many anime fans will be excited. Now, how the actual finished product will be, and the how thrilling a full CG picture will be is unknown… even though there is no way to predict the success of the film, there is no doubt that this will become a talked about production.

The screenplay also took into consideration the sound effects. It will not be the same as the 2 channel stereo plan, but Dolby Digital Sound and the new 5.1 channel sound bites will be used.

Because the theme of this project is a submarine, there will be many scenes under water. These sequences of sounds are where the sound production staff will be able to show their best work. "The Thrill" using mostly horns will perform the music. We aim to revolutionize the music section as well by trying new recording methods, such as using multi-channels.

However, the key point is submarines and its sounds while in movement inside and outside the submarine. The music progresses with the story. The sound effect staff has already received help from the Maritime Self-Defense Force to record actual sounds of the submarines. With this as their basis, they have begun recording original sound effects and sound bites of underwater water pressure and water flow expression.

Unfortunately, "Blue Number 6" will not be showing in the theatres, but a simultaneous release of VHS, Laser Disk, and DVD is planned. Most importantly, to capture the producer's true feelings behind his work, the producer's feelings, the ability to be use the wide screen and Dolby Digital Sound's production environment, the work's real potential is pulled out major point.

The picture's sound bite director has only created about one dozen theatre sound tracks, but hopefully this production will act as a trigger and shape the future of production in Japan. Not only will the Dolby Digital 5.1 channel's sound bits give the illusion of being on the big screen, but also the expression of lines using multiple channels will portray emotions. This new sound formant will also act as a way for the viewers to feel as though they are in the actual presence of the submarines.

The picture and the sound work hand in hand. They support each other in creating reality and emotions. I believe that these effects will have a big impact on the success of "Submarine Number 6."

Images