“Yusa Kazushige – A Diverse Animation Path”
Yusa Kazushige has been active at the forefront of filmmaking and animator for many years. His career spans a wide range of fields, from television animation and feature films to educational programs, commercials, and music videos, from the 1970s to the present.
In the 1970s, he built the foundations of animation by working on animation for such titles as “Ippatsu Kanta-kun,” “Gatchaman 2,” and “Yatterman.” In the 1980s, he served as key animator and animation director on popular works such as “Urusei Yatsura,” “Ninja Hattori-kun,” “Touch,” and “Miyuki,” and also made his presence felt as a character designer and chief animation director. He expanded his scope of work by working on international productions such as “Peter Pan’s Adventure” and “Belfie & Lil’ Bit.”
In the 1990s, he was animation director for the opening credits of “Moomins” and “Tiny Toons.” He has also worked on NHK’s educational programs for young children, including “Peek-a-Boo” and “With Mom,” producing numerous videos beloved by people of all generations. Since the 2000s, he has developed unique animation techniques for educational programs like “Pitagoras Switch” and “Nihongo de Asobo,” and in 2009, he worked on “Kuruneko,” continuing his diverse activities in tune with the times.

In recent years, he has worked on titles familiar to today’s anime fans, such as the “Ojarumaru” series and the opening credits for “Mobile Suit Gundam: Mercury Witch.” His filmography includes “Night on the Galactic Railroad,” “Eleven Cats,” the “Touch” series, and “Street Fighter II,” leaving a legacy of genre-defying visual expression. He has also worked on “Minna no Uta,” music videos, commercials, and educational videos, expanding the possibilities of animation in many different areas.

Yusa’s career spans a diverse range of animation fields, from commercial works to educational content and international co-productions. The experience he has gained through his work is also put to good use in nurturing young creators and in educational activities, serving as a bridge to the next generation of creators.
His extensive work history is a prime example of the expressive power and social role of animation, and will continue to be a major inspiration for the industry.