There were 473 entries to the Animation Division this year, the largest number of entries to date. Characteristically, we received more short animations than long animations, TV animations and OVA's. The trend could be connected, to the spread of animation production software for PCs and an increase in the number of young people studying animation in institutions. Considering that China and South …

This is an age when the "heart" has become important. Sweet Blue Flowers, though not selected, skillfully reflects the spirit of the times. In our lifetime, most people hear the phrases, "It's not you," or "You're wrong," uttered again and again. Sweet Blue Flowers, however, presents us with a miraculous encounter whose message is, "You can stay just the way you are." The jury disagreed in …

No Corras Tanto (Take It Easy) , an excellent short animation that animates the sand in Spain, was entered as an OVA, not as a short animation. On the other hand, there was a discussion about the genre of CENCOROLL, whether it should be considered an OVA work rather than a short animation, because it employs the rendering style of commercial animation, and also because a DVD version of the work …

I would like to comment on the recommended works, mainly on the short animations that came close to winning a prize. HAND SOAP, which perfectly depicts the turmoil and pangs of puberty in the most unpleasant manner, received a large number of votes because of its completeness and originality. However, after a heated discussion of its artistic merit and decency, it ended up not being selected. a …