(above) A Freedom Seven promotional poster in Akihabara, Tokyo.
So the Freedom series finally ended with the release of episode 7 last week, a culmination of 2 years of work since the project was officially announced in April 2006, to quite a bit of fanfare as I recall. I was still a student in Toho Gakuen film school when I joined the Freedom Committee animation team in November 2006. It was my first job in Tokyo ( and my first time working on an anime series, with Otomo Katsuhiro too ), so you can imagine just how elated and star-struck I was.
(above) A very sloshed me with Otomo katsuhiro at the 2007 Sunrise Emotion year end party.
Its been a most immersive and eye-opening 1.5 years in Sunrise Emotion, learning the ins and outs of anime production, slogging insane hours, and working with my colleagues, all whom are exceptionally talented ( many who have worked on some of my most beloved films like Akira, GITS, Jinroh, Tekkon, Beyond C films, etc ), yet unbelievably humble and down to earth human beings. Of all things, I miss my colleagues the most.
(above) A touch of Singapore in Freedom. Gundam comic artist/Freedom concept artist Sono-san requested the use of the name of my hometown (Bishan, a place in Singapore) to appear in this shot. Look out for it in Freedom Seven. ( dvd shown below )
(above) The celebration party for the release of Freedom Seven, held in an amusement center in Asakusa last week. On stage are the voice actors for Takeru, Ao, Taira and Biz. It was a pity that Utada Hikaru didn’t turn up. :[
And that’s pretty much it. Thank you everyone for supporting Freedom Project ! Here’s hoping the boxset will be released soon.
Come next week I will be starting work in Polygon Pictures, a fresh start, a new job and new colleagues.
Related posts:
Freedom Blu-Ray DVD boxset - First look
Animation Nation 2008 Freedom 1-7 Screening
Freedom Project Blu-ray box
Freedom Scenarios 4-7 Screenplay and Artbook
Revisiting the Art of Akira Part I - Akira Animation Archives
Man! What a rush~ To think it’s all over now. Hope to see you back in Singapore for some coffee when you got time.
Wow, I bet it feels strange… when you work on something that intensely time plays tricks on you… sometimes it feels like it went so quickly but then you can’t remember doing anything else…. where are you living now? Congrats on the Polygon pictures job!
hi, this is my first time reading your blog and i must say i’m very inspired by your achievements. although this might be old news since the Freedom project is over, i’ll be doing a writeup in my blog to share with others who might not have heard of your success. might also borrow your pic and references so hope u don’t mind. cheers! ^^;
A NGE Fan I see? And thanks a LOT for your comment on my Evangelion writeup, really.
And I do have to say, as a student in media studies myself, I feel a sense of validation when I read your blog. Way to go dude, seriously, I’m putting you on my blogroll ASAP.
maybe try writing a short journal about your experiences? im sure it will sell out among the aspiring animators!
Hey! Congrats!
All the best in your new job.
bjorN - Coffee sounds like a great idea; with some tasty local food thrown in of course. :]
andrea - Haha…what you said is very true in a painful kind of sense. I’m still living in West Tokyo, but I might be moving because my new workplace is too darn far away. Thanks for the support !
gordon - Thank you so much for visiting my blog and the post you wrote on yours. I’ll be reading your blog often. :]
C.I - I must say the recent EV film has renewed my interest a little, EV is undeniably one of the most important anime films ever made. So where are you studying now ?
tragic comedy - Haha, I don’t think I have nearly enough experience to fill any journal any time soon, but thanks for the idea ! Let’s all work hard together. :]
leon - Hello there ! Thank you !
Just saw the first episode of “Freedom”. It was fun and amazing! I can’t wait to see more. The pace is really good and the characters are so likeable. I can’t wait to see more. Congrats to everyone the finished the project. You guy/gals are truly inspirational.
Congrats on completing Freedom been following your progess on the project and although I have not seen any of the episodes, I look forward to getting a box set of the anime.
Hope things work out at Polygon Pictures, talked to a recruiter 2yrs ago at a CG event in SG I might try for a position there when I graduate.
Gerald - Thanks for the compliments ! I’m glad you enjoyed Freedom !
Akiraman - Nice ! Perhaps we will see you in Tokyo soon. :]
Cool! Bishan is going to appear in one of the episodes eh? I’m gonna look out for it.
Looks like you had a really good 2 years with Sunrise. Working with a legendary person like Otomo Katsushiro must have been quite an experience too!
All the best with your next job. I can’t wait to see what you’ll be working on next.
Nice work!
Polygon pictures, eh? I was thinking of applying to them! Should be really intresting seeing how you get on there.
Ganbatte!
Ivy - Thanks for the support ! It’s been a most memorable time at Sunrise indeed.
Andy - You should ! It’d be a breeze for you to enter with your portfolio. :]
All the best!
thank you. :]
I still think you should shoot a mockumentary about the life of an animation artist. It could be funny and semi-real at the same time.
Maybe I will see you the next time I am in Tokyo. I love that place. It’s insane but fun.
Wow, How did u manage to come this far? I’m currently still in secondary school honing my skills for drawing in hopes of going japan, making anime and everything. Thats why I wanted to go to temasek poly for animation studies, where I heard is good. Any tips to help me=)?
Shirley - Haha…I’ll give your idea some thought. :]
Michi - Hello, you’ve given yourself the best tip I think - hone your skills ! The sky’s the limit for young people like yourself. How I wish I was still in school.
Otsukaresama~!
Congrats on your job at Polygon! Say hi to Shuzo for me!
your picture with Otomo sensei is great!
CMWilly/Kirai - Thank you ! :]