EX: I understand that you met with the Wachowski Brothers and that they were quite in awe of you. It seems they're big fans of your work.

OM: Oh? Is that so? Of course, I was happy, but it had kind of a creepy feeling to it. I felt strange. I almost think it would have been better if we didn't meet. Meeting them was interesting, but... I think it would be better to not meet and be able to wonder what the other person was like. The best idea is to try and understand them through their work.

They did give me an autographed MATRIX LD. I guess if I ever find myself short of money, I can sell it. (laughs)

EX: I know a lot of potential buyers... (laughs) What do you think is the most important quality for a director to have?

OM: The will to never give up. Absolutely. Not giving up—no matter how many years it takes. Once you give up, that's it. You have to stick it through. I waited over ten years to do AVALON... I think it was around 13 or 14 years. But that's what movies are all about.

EX: How have you changed as a director over the course of your career?

OM: I've become able to talk to anyone. It's very important to be able to do this. If you can only talk with people you get along with, you won't be able to cut it as a director, because the bottom line is that it's my job to convince other people of something. That's what a director is—you have to convince everyone of something. If you can't convince those around you, you'll never be able to convince a movie audience.

EX: Your love of your dog is legendary. What else do you do to relax?

OM: I can't think of a single thing, really. When I'm away from my dog, my stress level starts to climb. I'm a man who doesn't have any hobbies. No matter what I do, my dog is always connected along the way.

Before, I played a lot of games, but I don't think a person who makes movies can have hobbies since what you like becomes the focus of your next movie.

EX: What changes have you seen in the industry in the last few years?

OM: Do you mean the animation industry?

EX: Yes...

OM: I think the effect of the digital age has left the biggest mark. The techniques might change, but the essence remains the same. That's really the only difference, I think. Then again, for something not to change is not a good thing. Change has to happen for new and interesting things to be created.

EX: Many directors are now embracing the DVD format as being able to present "their" version of a film. How do you feel about this?

OM: I wonder. I don't really want to do something like that. When it comes down to it, I think the director doesn't know everything about the movie. Everyone always thinks if you want to know something, you talk to the director. I don't think that's true. I think the answers lie inside every single viewer.

I think it's good that the work is getting out, of course, but I don't think that the director getting out there in public is a very good thing.

EX: That's a very humble attitude, and uncommon in directors.

OM: I'd like to stand by those standards. Interview like this, I've been doing all day. I think it's better if I didn't do them.

EX: Sorry...

OM: (laughs) That's ok. What I mean is: instead of asking the director, ask others and get their opinion. Talk to others about things. When I was a student, that's how things were.

EX: So everyone should make up his or her own mind?

OM: Of course. I think that's the only way to really view a movie.

Special thanks to Toshifumi Yoshida for his assistance as an interpreter for the interview.