“Yusa Kazushige – A Filmmaker Connecting Animation and Education”
Born in 1960, filmmaker and animator Yusa Kazushige is known as the president and CEO of Mobius Tone LLC and a former professor at the Kyoto Seika University Manga Department. He has been active in a variety of fields, including as a special lecturer at Fukuoka Design & Technology College and the former president of Nerima Animation. He previously worked under his real name, Yusa Kazushige.
Though he spent his childhood in an orphanage, his artistic talent was recognized early on. After abandoning university, Yusa aspired to become an animator, joining the Tatsunoko Animation Technology Institute and Tatsunoko Productions. He began his career studying under Miyamoto Sadao, the creator of “Gatchaman,” and developing an interest in American animation. He then went freelance and worked on numerous projects across a wide range of genres, including “Urusei Yatsura,” “Miyuki,” “Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi,” and “Touch.” He currently works on short films and program titles for NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” “Chiko-chan ni Shikarareru,” “Pitagoras Switch,” and “Ojarumaru,” as well as producing numerous commercials for commercial broadcasters. In addition to his work as a videographer, he is involved in educational exchanges with the United States, France, Canada, and Singapore, and is involved in educational activities through animation in elementary and junior high schools in Nerima Ward and throughout Japan.
He is also actively involved in human resource development, writing teaching materials for the Association of Japanese Animations, appearing in “Anime Drill,” participating in the “Anime Tamago” project to develop young animators, and working on projects for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, serving as a curriculum planning and selection committee member. He has also served as a lecturer and panelist at events both in Japan and abroad, dedicated to promoting animation culture and nurturing the next generation.
Yusa’s career has been marked by his commitment to supporting animation from both the creative and educational perspectives. His dedication to expanding the possibilities of visual expression while generously sharing his knowledge and experience with future creators is a great asset to the animation industry.