Kakurenbo
Hide and Seek
2004 - Japan - 25 mins - World premiere
Japanese language dialogue with English subtitles
Unrated
© 2004, CoMix Wave
Special guests: MORITA Shuhei, SAJIKI Daisuke
Director
MORITA Shuhei
Production
YAMATOWORKS
Original script and animation
MORITA Shuhei, SAJIKI Daisuke
Artistic direction and character design
SAJIKI Daisuke
Synopsis
Even in a city as varied and busy as Tokyo, I wouldn't play hide-and-seek at night.
If you don't take care, the demons will get you...
So begins this eerie tale of a young boy who dares to play this demonic game of hide-and-seek,
in search of his sister who was lost in a similar game some time ago. The truth behind the game
will haunt him forever.
Reviews
Hide-and-seek is a game that everyone knows - an universal game spanning cultures and time. Now
portrayed in an original way, full of angst and stark beauty, Kakurenbo is a very high-quality
animation that recalls Voices of a Distant Star in its independence, but much more refined
animation in its technical scope. The result is, without qualification for anime fans, a most
interesting anime.
Profile - YAMATOWORKS
Established in 2003 by Morita Shuhei and Sajiki Daisuke.
In 1999, Mr. Morita and Mr. Sajiki were part of the founding of Kamikaze Douga, a group of
independent creators who became very well known for 2D-like 3D animation. ioCl received the
grand prize at WavyAward99, and Gasoline Mask was awarded at Sony DEP99. Other work include
Rockman X7, Breath of Fire and in-game movies.
Profile - MORITA Shuhei
Born in 1978 in Nara. Graduated from Kyoto University of Art Design in 2001.
While in school, he started creating films. In 1999, he co-founded Kamikaze Douga. In 2000, he joined Studio
4°C and worked there for two years where he was primarily in charge of CGI animation. In 2002, he directed and
produced Mars Brat, written by Arthur C. Clark.
His MTV Station-ID Otokodate won the Bronze prize at 2001 PROMAX&BDA.; In 2003 he
established YAMATOWORKS and began to create Kakurenbo, his first feature. In this film,
he created the story, wrote the screenplay, directed, composed the storyboards, produced, and
took charge of CGI animation and editing.
Profile - MORITA Shuhei
Born in 1976 in Kyoto.
Co-founded Kamikaze Douga in 1999, and beginning in 2000 he also spent two years at Studio 4°C where he was
mainly in charge of character design, background setting, and visual art. In 2003 he directed and produced
Number 5, originally a comic book by Matsumoto Taiyo. Also in 2003, he joined Morita Shuhei to establish
YAMATOWORKS. In Kakurenbo, he worked on character design and world background setting
World Sales Agent
CoMix Wave