Interview with Anime Director Hirokazu Hanai

This article presents an interview with anime director Hirokazu Hanai, conducted during FicZone 2023. The conversation explores Hanai’s professional trajectory within the Japanese animation industry, where he has held a wide range of roles, including animator, storyboard artist, animation supervisor, and director. The interview addresses key aspects of anime production, such as the challenges of adapting manga, video games, and light novels into animated works, as well as the creative and collaborative processes behind directing anime series. Hanai also reflects on his influences, his approach to teamwork and leadership, and his perspective on the coexistence of traditional and digital animation techniques in contemporary production. Particular attention is given to his work on series such as Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro (Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san), Dances with the Dragons, and Tower of God, offering insight into both mainstream and niche productions within the industry. The article contributes to the study of Japanese popular culture by providing first-hand testimony from a contemporary anime professional, shedding light on the artistic, technical, and human dimensions of anime production, and its global cultural impact.Originally published in Spanish on CoolJapan.es