This My Hero Academia Animator Is Worth Keeping an Eye On

Key Takeaways

Kohei Hirota, a rising star in the anime industry, showcases impressive effects work in major series like One Piece and My Hero Academia.
Hirota’s ability to create stunning effects, like the iconic “Kutsuna lightning,” sets him apart as a standout animator.
With a humble attitude and a drive to learn from the best, Hirota represents the future talent in the continually evolving anime industry.

As a keen observer of the anime industry and its dynamic talents, I find myself thoroughly captivated by the meteoric rise of Kohei Hirota. This young prodigy, who was still in high school when Yutaka Nakamura, Yuki Hayashi, and Shū Sugita were working on “My Hero Academia” #World Heroes Mission”, has since made a name for himself by contributing to some of the most acclaimed anime series within a span of just three years.

When viewers of “My Hero Academia” saw Deku use Overdrive on Shigaraki in Episode 151, some seasoned anime enthusiasts might have assumed it was created by Yutaka Nakamura. However, it was actually the work of Kohei Horikoshi, a newcomer to the industry who fans should remember.

Initially, Hirota gained the attention of viewers around 2022, serving as a prominent animator for several series throughout the year. Notably, he made his debut as an animator on four episodes of a show that year, amidst working on “One Piece Film: Red“, “Kingdom“, “Spy x Family“, “My Hero Academia“, and “Chainsaw Man“.

Kohei Hirota’s Meteoric Rise

This My Hero Academia Animator Is Worth Keeping an Eye On

It seems that we’re discussing the life and skills of Akihiro Ota, an animator whose contributions have been significant within the community and industry, and hailed him as one of the sector’s finest. Just like last year, we chronicled his work in a series of articles.

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In late 2022, Hirota was working on “My Hero Academia” Season 6. He animated this specific cut from Episode 121, a chance he was privileged to get. He returned as an animator for the series, and his work continues to astound in the currently airing Season 7 as well as the recently released fourth film, “My Hero Academia: You’re Next.”

Dissecting Hirota’s Flashy Style

When I think about this young man’s work, the word that comes to mind easiest is “lightning.” Hirota’s ability to create mind-boggling effects is at its most potent when expressed through the use of the iconic “Kutsuna lightning,” a technique named after animator Kenichi Kutsuna. In this cut from One Piece #1028, Hirota gets especially creative with the effect. From the zigzagging electricity forming kanji, to the sheer visual onslaught before the impact, it’s an immaculate sight.

In the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen”, Hirota brought one of Aoi Todo’s most breathtaking scenes to life, where he exchanges positions with debris thrown by Yuji towards Mahito. It’s unfortunate that the TV broadcast experiences a lot of ghosting/dimming, as the Blu-ray version, as displayed here, showcases Hirota’s talent as an animator more accurately. His skill in depicting such incredible speed using wind and fire effects, along with more abstract visual techniques, creates a scene that is both awe-inspiring and comical.

Learning From Anime’s Best

Welcome, esteemed reader, to a discussion concerning his contributions in the field of My Esteemed Colleague, where he’s noticeably been given the liberty to go larger over time. It is beneficial that he has worked alongside some of the best animators in the business. In a post about his contributions to You’re Next, he talks about working under Yutaka Nakamura, Yuki Hayashi, and Shū Sugita (discussion for any of their names on YouTube and you will have pretty animation to look at for hours).

In his third year of high school, Hirota’s career in the industry took off when the movie “My Hero Academia: World Heroes Mission” was released. Over the following three years, he made his debut on “One Piece”, during one of its most celebrated arcs in recent history, and played a significant role in shaping some of the most influential anime during that period. He also had the opportunity to work as an apprentice under Nakamura, who is often praised as one of the greatest animators of all time.

It appears as if it were a tribute to Hirota’s art, a blending of soft words in a natural and easy-to-read language:

Is This Kid The Next Nakamura?

It seems like we’re talking about Kohei Hirota’s ever-evolving portfolio and seeing the makings of a new legend in the vain of Yutaka Nakamura. His recent cut from One Piece #1100 alone carries a lot of the nuances people attribute to Nakamura’s style. Take note of how Luffy’s body moves and how much weight is conveyed as he pounds his chest or observe how the effects are animated. Then compare it to this cutby Nakamura from Mob Psycho and you have an idea how one influenced the other.

Simultaneously, it would seem premature to categorize him alongside someone as esteemed as Nakamura. It’s not that their skills don’t align, but rather because Nakamura sets an exceptionally high standard. What makes Hirota’s journey so captivating is the modesty with which he expresses his aspiration for growth and knowledge. As I delved into his work for this article, his sentiments about his craft were as heartfelt and impactful as his animations.

What Makes Kohei Hirota Worth Paying Attention To?

From his initial appearance on “My Hero Academia”, he has consistently shown great appreciation towards his fellow characters and vowed to improve. Despite clearly fulfilling this commitment throughout the series, he continues to strive for even greater achievements. Following Episode 151, he expressed a sense of remorse for not emulating Nakamura more closely, a sentiment that was met with an outpouring of affection from the fanbase, who emphasized their admiration for his unique contributions.

In the traditional structure of the anime industry, there has been a strong emphasis on hierarchy. However, over the past ten years, an increasing number of young talents have entered the scene, often unencumbered by established hierarchies. As styles, preferences, and the overall landscape evolve, concerns about the future of the anime industry arise – both in terms of innovation and preservation of tradition. When fans view Kōhei Horikoshi, they see a glimpse of the future of the anime. Whether he will become “the new Nakamura” or something entirely different, that future looks promising.

2024-09-03 19:36