DAN DA DAN Producer Hiroshi Kamei Talks with Anime Herald

Note: Due to the time-sensitive nature of our coverage, this will debut on the main Anime Herald site on August 31. We apologize for the inconvenience.

• Interviewer: Samantha Ferreira

• Interview Date: 8/24/2024

• Format: Email

Anime Herald: You have worked on a number of horror and horror-adjacent works over your career, from Happy Sugar Life and Magical Girl Site, to Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. How do you feel your experience on these projects helped you in working on DAN DA DAN?

Hiroshi Kamei: Although not directly from these horror-related works, through my anime production experience, I learned the importance of timing in conveying eeriness and fear.

Anime Herald: DAN DA DAN will receive a theatrical debut at the end of August, and made its world premiere on July 6, at Anime Expo. How does such a rollout affect the overall production process, as opposed to a traditional TV run?

Hiroshi Kamei: While we didn't change the production process for this, it's crucial to progress without delay. Advancing production quickly helps with translation work and allows us to prepare more materials for promotion, facilitating a more global rollout.

Anime Herald: Do you have any stories from the production side that you'd like to share?

Hiroshi Kamei: It was impressive how the director kept various ideas written down in notes, rough storyboards, and sometimes directly on the manga during scenario meetings.

Anime Herald: How has your role evolved, considering the growth of the greater international audience thanks to services like Netflix and Crunchyroll?

Hiroshi Kamei: The core mission of creating and delivering interesting works hasn't changed, but the perspective of reaching a broader fanbase has become more important. Not only promotion but also considering how we can extend our reach in terms of overseas streaming and merchandising is critical.

Anime Herald: What were the anime and manga that inspired you to enter the anime industry?

Hiroshi Kamei: I watched various anime from a young age. The ones that influenced me while I was watching them in real time were Martian Successor Nadesico and Cowboy Bebop. The manga that left an impression on me from my childhood was Tsurikichi Sanpei.

Anime Herald: Taking things up to 10,000 feet - where do you see the anime industry heading in five, ten years? What challenges do you foresee, and what do you see as the most pressing issues in the short-term?

Hiroshi Kamei: I believe Japanese anime will continue to be in demand. However, with rising production costs, there seems to be an increase in anime productions in genres that are economically viable, supported by high demand. As the quality of anime from outside Japan also rises, maintaining the long-term appreciation for Japanese anime will require 'diversity.' Establishing an environment where a variety of genres can be profitably produced is an urgent task.

Anime Herald: Beyond this, where would you like to see things go within the industry during that same period, and what steps do you feel the industry should take to get there?

Hiroshi Kamei: I hope we can establish a system that can deliver works to many countries worldwide. First, it's crucial to build an environment where people can enjoy works just as they do in Japan, including video, merchandise, and original comics, and for that, we need to promote not only individual works but also expand the fanbase who watch Japanese anime globally.

Anime Herald: What attracted you to this project?

Hiroshi Kamei: It started with the point that the original work is really interesting, but I was drawn to the reality of making it into an appealing anime with the addition of Science SARU's creativity.

Anime Herald: Is there anything you'd like to say to our readers?

Hiroshi Kamei: The story's intrigue, the finesse of direction, the uniqueness of animation and layout, and various other charms are packed into this work, so I'm confident you'll come to love it. I'd be delighted if you could watch it.