This 3D Anime Could Be the Sleeper Hit of Winter 2025

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Summary

  • Gensho Yasuda’s 3D film Make a Girl explores a dark cyber-romance with a unique plot and intriguing twists.
  • The film boasts stunning animation, capturing the essence of 2D anime yet with expressive characters and graceful movement that is uniquely 3D.
  • Make a Girl marks Yasuda’s inspiring rise from a short film creator to a feature-length film director, showcasing the power of an online following.
Title Make a Girl
Director Gensho Yasuda
Studio Gensho Yasuda Studio by Xenotoon
Release Date 01/31/2025

3D animation in anime has significantly progressed throughout the years, and even though some fans remain loyal to 2D, animators like Gensho Yasuda have shown that the popularity of 3D isn’t merely a compromise. After numerous viral Blender animations that attracted millions of followers online, Yasuda’s full-length film, “Make a Girl“, is set to demonstrate this more articulately than ever before.

2022 saw the crowdfunding success of Yasuda’s film titled “Make a Girl”, which surpassed its goal of 10 million yen by earning more than 23.7 million yen. This was following the release of his short film “Make Love” in 2020. Notably, Yasuda has also worked as a CG animator for Nitroplus, a video game developer. Lately, he has garnered attention online due to a series of Disney-endorsed anime shorts promoting the upcoming release of “Moana 2”.

A Cyber-Romance With a Dark Twist

In the movie titled “Make a Girl“, we follow Akira Mizutame, a young and brilliant scientist who creates an advanced robot companion named Salt. However, despite his impressive advancements, he encounters a creative standstill. A friend suggests he find a girlfriend to help him break out of his rut, but Akira interprets this advice quite literally and instead invents a female robot. The film humorously plays with this leap in logic, while also delving into the deeper, more troubling aspects of creating a companion that mimics a human girlfriend. These complexities form the heart of the movie’s central conflict.

Initially, the trailer gives an impression of being a typical love story, accompanied by the melodious strains of an orchestral score. However, it abruptly changes direction and takes a turn. No.0 begins to doubt everything as she is programmed to love Akira. Yet, Akira created No.0 out of mere ambition for self-improvement, seeking an undefined “upgrade” by having a girlfriend. This ominous backdrop sets the stage for a captivating and thought-provoking narrative.

Observing closely, it unfolds as a thrilling cybernetic romance tale, filled with unexpected plots and shifts, as Number 0’s programming conflicts with her emerging self-awareness as a sentient being. Meanwhile, Akira struggles with the implications of his creation, while simultaneously trying to aid Number 0. However, a cryptic third party is hot on her trail. The teaser trailer offers merely a glimpse into the intricate narrative that appears to delve deep into Akira’s background, the evolution of Number 0, and the enigmatic nature of consciousness.

This Film Looks Gorgeous

The tale of “Make a Girl” is powerfully appealing, yet it’s not the main focus – the animation steals the show right away. This isn’t unexpected for those familiar with Yasuda’s work, but this film stands out even among his impressive portfolio. As the official site declares, it embodies “300% pure Gensho Yasuda”, a reflection of his exceptional talent with a larger budget and a talented team, even if just eight individuals, as stated by Yasuda himself.

The animation style is so authentic to hand-drawn anime that some frames are hard to tell apart, although the difference becomes clearer in motion. Yet, it remains equally enchanting. Yasuda’s online animated shorts stand out for their expressive, dynamic, and frequently nuanced character animation. Moreover, he skillfully crafts short stories with minimal or no dialogue. Similarly, the characters in Make a Girl exhibit graceful movements in their expressions, hair, and bodies.

From 2-Minute Short to Feature-Length Thriller

The journey of this film, starting from its humble beginnings as a short movie to its remarkable crowdfunding triumph, adds an extra layer of intrigue to its already complex plot. It’s not often that we witness an independent animator climbing so swiftly in the industry within such a brief span, taking on the roles of both director and writer for a full-length feature film. This rise to prominence recalls the tale of Atsuya Uki, a character designer for Digimon, who eventually directed the anime film series Cencoroll.

Originally, “Cencoroll” was a 26-minute short movie. Later, in 2019, it was extended into “Cencroroll Connect,” which comprises the initial film along with a fresh sequel narrative, amounting to approximately 75 minutes. What’s particularly noteworthy is that, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, apart from some in-between animation, the entire production was handled by Uki. Given that a third film was announced in 2019, it seems he’s still diligently working on it even after all these years.

Make a Girl Feels Special

Yasuda’s remarkable achievement with the 3D animation project Make a Girl echoes Uki’s triumph in the realm of 2D animation. It represents a predominantly individual artistic vision, nurtured over time and eventually elevated to a broader platform, due to the quality of the artist’s body of work. While it may seem that dedication leads to success, the world often takes its sweet time to recognize such efforts. Gensho Yasuda poured his energy into his craft, but he himself acknowledges that it was his online supporters who significantly boosted the visibility of his work.

Instead of waiting for opportunities to come your way, focus on showcasing your creativity effectively. Whether it’s through earning commissions or working on full-length animations, the key is to make your creative talent visible and appealing to those in decision-making positions. Social media provides a straightforward marketing platform that everyone can utilize. By building a following on these platforms, you expand your potential opportunities.

2024 marked the premiere of the movie “Make a Girl” at the Global Stage Hollywood Film Festival on November 3, followed by its screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival. As of now, there are no updates regarding a broader international release for the film. However, it would be an exciting inclusion to an already impressive roster of anime films set to grace theaters in 2025. Next year, we’ll see movies like “Demon Slayer,” “Chainsaw Man,” and “Madoka Magica” hitting screens worldwide. It would be absolutely thrilling if Gensho Yasuda’s creation could join them on the big screen, captivating audiences across the globe.

Make a Girl hits theaters in Japan on January 31, 2025.

Information obtained from Gensho Yasuda’s YouTube channel, the official website of Make a Girl, Crunchyroll News, and Anime News Network (specifically these links: [Link 1], [Link 2], [Link 3]).

Or simply:

Gathered data from various sources including Gensho Yasuda’s YouTube channel, the official site of Make a Girl, Crunchyroll News, and Anime News Network (specifically these links: [Link 1], [Link 2], [Link 3]).

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2025-01-10 19:04