Ao from Freedom does a Planet Terror parody outside Sunrise’s entrance. Read : Authorized personnel only.

This week marks a full year of work for me at Sunrise Emotion Animation Studios here in Ogikubo, Tokyo, working on Otomo Katsuhiro’s Freedom Project. Its genuinely hard to believe that so a long time had passed since I first joined Freedom Committee in November last year, but I figure a lot have to do with the crazy working hours; when production crunch time sets in and we toil round the clock the feeling is like getting sucked into a black hole, with no distinction between day and night.

My very untidy table at work; mangas are a must for relaxation / Posters from past Sunrise Emotion works.

I’ve quite honestly never worked so hard in my life before. An average of 10-12 hours per day, 16-18 during the weeks before deadlines with seemingly no end in sight – I think the only reason why I haven’t yet blacked out from fatigue is simply because I enjoy my work quite a bit. I can still recall vividly the initial wave of euphoria that engulfed me when director Morita-san said I had made the team – for the chance to work on a Katsuhiro Otomo animation project is truly a dream come true. Its nice to be credited in the ending sequence too.

Character facial expression study sheets for Freedom.

It’s been an amazing experience working with some truly talented figures in the anime industry – Freedom’s director Morita-san ( also director of Kakurenbo and co-founder of Kamikaze Douga ), co-director Hiroaki Ando ( who was also co-director for Tekkon Kinkreet and CG director for Steamboy ), my director of photography Yamaura-san, ( who worked on Glay’s Survival and Koji Morimoto’s Noiseman, 2 films that really inspired me during my student days ), as well as the rest of my co-workers, all whom are incredibly gifted and humble folks.

A “sticky board” in the studio with the latest notices, updates and ad campaign proposals for Freedom.

With 5 episodes completed the Freedom series will soon be nearing ( hint : well, maybe not that near. :] ) its climatic ending. I still have about half a year of work here, but I am already on the casual lookout for any new, interesting projects out there. Perhaps I might even stay on; but for now, I’ll just immense myself in this memorable adventure and enjoy the moment while it lasts.

All images copyright of Sunrise Emotion. No unauthorized usage allowed. Ao’s Planet Terror parody is pure fan art.