Panels for well-known Guests of Honor seem to start late and this one was no exception. Mr. Kawasaki would be signing autographs later so attendees lined up outside with tickets in hand waiting to get in. After nearly 30 minutes, the panel finally started with about 100 attendees in the audience. Mr. Kawasaki is well known for being the director of SPRIGGAN the movie and for his close collaboration with Otomo Katsuhiro as key animator for AKIRA and as director for the "Stink Bomb" segment from MEMORIES.
The panel started off with the showing of three video clips from SPRIGGAN.

Kawasaki: The three video clips we just saw were the previews and trailers for the movie SPRIGGAN, which was released in Japan in 1998 and was my first work as a director. Even though I was the director of SPRIGGAN, I am originally an animator. I'm sure you all know Mr. Otomo. I worked as an animator on many of his films. Since AKIRA, I've always worked as an animator, but on MEMORIES, I was Chief Illustrator for the first time. Mr. Otomo is currently working on a new project and I worked on the pilot, but since Mr. Otomo's productions usually run long, I had some spare time to direct SPRIGGAN and "Stink Bomb".

Kawasaki then showed us a clip from the "Stink Bomb" segment of MEMORIES. The audience obviously found it funny since there were ripples of laughter throughout the five minute clip.

Kawasaki: I didn't think a US audience would find it funny! I thought the humor was culturally specific to Japan, but I suppose this is just proof that people are all the same around the world.

Another video clip was shown, this time from SPRIGGAN. Whereas "Stink Bomb" is funny, SPRIGGAN is very serious and brooding. Nonetheless, the video clip was well received by the audience. After the showing, a question-and-answer session began.

Q: As SPRIGGAN is adapted from a manga, how close did you want the movie to follow the manga?

Kawasaki: For SPRIGGAN, there is a time constraint because it is just one movie. At first, I was thinking it would be better as a series. But for myself, I really prefer "one-shot" projects instead of a long series and Mr. Otomo agreed. While making it, I was consciously targeting it for a global market. One of the difficult things was developing the characters in such a short amount of time.

Q: Are you and Mr. Otomo getting together again for future work?

Kawasaki: In Mr. Otomo's new project, I will help as animator...probably...

Q: The theme of "technology run amok" seems to run throughout SPRIGGAN, AKIRA, and "Stink Bomb." Is that intentional?

Kawasaki: I was just an animator on AKIRA, so I cannot take credit for Mr. Otomo's ideas. And since Mr. Otomo is involved in all of my works so far, I guess the theme of "technology run amok" is more a reflection of Mr. Otomo.

Q: Have you considered a spin-off of SPRIGGAN?

Kawasaki: I get asked that question often, but in this movie, I feel I've said what I've wanted to say, so I don't think I would want to add more. To me, it would be as if I was saying the same thing over and over again.

Q: How do you feel about the ADV theatrical release of SPRIGGAN? And how do you feel about the editing of the U.S. release?

Kawasaki: Well, this is the first time I've heard it will be released here in the U.S.! As for the editing, since it is my work, of course, I have some objection, so I encourage you all to see the original.

Q: Since the art style is so "realistic", is there a problem with the acceptance of it within the Japanese anime industry?

Kawasaki: As an animator, I draw what I've told to draw. But when I'm in charge, I'll do things my way.

Q: How did you juggle being an animator and a manga artist?

Kawasaki: Just to be clear, Mr. Otomo juggles being an animator and a manga artist! I am only an animator. Although I did draw some manga as a child. As for being a Director, I am interested in this industry and I have things I want to say, so by necessity, I had to step up into a director's role. That's how I became Director.

Q: How much CG was used in SPRIGGAN?

Kawasaki: There's not much CG really...less than 5%.

Q: How about the use of computers in the camera work and editing?

Kawasaki: There is not much computer usage at all—not even in cel painting nor editing! It's really a piece put together by Japanese animators not sleeping and working very hard all the time. AKIRA was the same thing.

Q: How do you maintain your creative energy?

Kawasaki: The answer is quite simple...it's just hard work and discipline really.

Q: Would you like to work on other big projects [not associated with Otomo]?

Kawasaki: As an animator, I have already worked on other big projects such as GHOST IN THE SHELL and RECORD OF LODOSS WARS.

Q: Have you read ARMS? (ARMS is another manga by the authors of SPRIGGAN.) And will you make a movie of it?

Kawasaki: Yes, I do read it. And I like it. But turning it into animation looks like it might be very difficult. So I prefer that someone else should do it.

Q: Although "Stink Bomb" was funny, it's impossible to ignore the fact that people died, and I personally felt bad about that. Were you worried about that and did you feel the same way?

Kawasaki: Yes, I do agree with you. But if I think too much about that aspect, it would interfere with the story, so I just try not to think about it.

Q: What were you early influences? And how did you "break-in" to the industry?

Kawasaki: I'm not sure if there are direct influences, but I like action movies such as Hollywood action movies, Hong Kong action movies with Jackie Chan, etc. As for "breaking-in", from the beginning, I always liked drawing, so I had a choice: manga or anime. And since I like things that move, I chose to be an animator.

Q: What do you think about the use of computer graphics (CG) in animation?

Kawasaki: I think that the use of computers in animation is a growing trend and that it is inevitable that we will be using more and more computers in animation. And so, I think I will also have to become more involved with it myself. Right now, it is a transitional period.

Q: Do you approve of the evolution of today's Japanese animation industry?

Kawasaki: In general, the skills of animators in Japan are high and there is a lot of talent out there. But the environment doesn't allow them to show their best work. It seems that the U.S. is much different. I'd say that Japan should become more like the U.S. in its treatment of its animators.

Q: What's your next project?

Kawasaki: I'd like to do something more general audience...perhaps something for children. But nothing has been determined yet.

Q: The combat scenes in SPRIGGAN are very effective and realistic. How did you direct that?

Kawasaki: As I said, I like action movies a lot, so I take what I like from live action. I also look at what's real out in the world, such as military footage. As an animator, I just try to put what I see in the real world into my animation.

After answering this last question, time ran out and the panel ended.