Convention - Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 38 : Yamashita Akihiko enchants Villepinte with his career at Studio Ghibli and beyond

By Mulder, Villepinte, Parc des Expositions, 04 october 2025

The Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 2025, held at the Villepinte Exhibition Hall on October 4, was marked by the presence of a true legend of Japanese animation, Akihiko Yamashita. Known worldwide for his central role in shaping the artistic identity of Studio Ghibli during the 2000s and beyond, Akihiko Yamashita drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to hear anecdotes from his decades-long career. His panel was both a journey through the history of Japanese animation and a reminder of the technical mastery and imagination that continue to fuel his work today.

From the outset, Akihiko Yamashita revisited his early days, recalling how his reputation was built on projects such as Giant Robo, where he simultaneously carried the weight of animation direction, character design, and storyboarding. The Paris audience responded warmly when he recounted these formative years, highlighting how his strong visual sensibility and dynamic linework quickly gained recognition. His move to Studio Ghibli was not simply a career shift but rather the start of a long collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki, one that placed him at the heart of modern animation history.

One of the most engaging moments of the panel came when Akihiko Yamashita described animating key sequences in Spirited Away, a film that went on to redefine Japanese animation’s global reach. Fans in the room were captivated as he detailed the delicate balance required to convey emotion through movement, noting how even the smallest gestures—such as Chihiro clutching her shoes while running—demanded obsessive attention to weight and timing. When speaking about his role as animation director on Howl’s Moving Castle, Akihiko Yamashita humorously recalled how he and Hayao Miyazaki would debate the subtle details of Howl’s flamboyant personality, a process that revealed the perfectionism and playful rivalry within the studio’s walls.

The discussion also highlighted Akihiko Yamashita’s role beyond Studio Ghibli. After contributing substantially to Ponyo and The Wind Rises, as well as directing the whimsical short Chuuzumou for the Ghibli Museum, he branched out into collaborations with his wife, Miho Shimogasa, notably on the series Kaitou Joker. These anecdotes revealed a lighter side of his creative process, as he admitted how their partnership often blurred the lines between family life and artistic debate. The Paris Manga & Sci-Fi audience laughed at his candid remark that sometimes dinner becomes storyboarding.

A particularly moving segment of the panel centered on his 2018 short film Invisible, produced with Studio Ponoc. Akihiko Yamashita explained how the piece, which was later honored at the Japan Media Arts Festival, was born out of his desire to explore themes of isolation and recognition in a rapidly changing society. Hearing him describe how audiences in Japan connected deeply with its universal message showed how his storytelling resonates far beyond stylistic brilliance. This point underscored why his influence stretches across generations of animators, especially those seeking to blend technical excellence with emotional authenticity.

Fans were especially eager to hear about his return to work with Hayao Miyazaki on The Boy and the Heron in 2023, where Akihiko Yamashita was entrusted as a principal key animator. Without revealing too much of the production’s behind-the-scenes, he emphasized the painstaking effort required to bring the project to life, mentioning that working with Hayao Miyazaki again after so many years felt both like coming home and like facing an entirely new challenge. His reflections highlighted not only the demanding standards of Studio Ghibli but also his own enduring commitment to innovation within traditional animation techniques.

Throughout the panel, Akihiko Yamashita also reflected on his wide-ranging work as a character designer across projects such as Urotsukidōji, Relic Armor Legaciam, Princess Nine, Strange Dawn, Zegapain, The Secret World of Arrietty, Mary and the Witch’s Flower, and Cagaster of an Insect Cage. Each title revealed a different facet of his adaptability, from dark fantasy to tender coming-of-age stories. He stressed to the Paris audience that versatility is one of the most valuable skills for an animator, reminding aspiring artists that true creativity lies in embracing diverse challenges.

The Villepinte crowd left with the sense that they had witnessed more than just a panel—it was an intimate look into the craft of an artist who helped define a golden age of Japanese animation. The combination of behind-the-scenes stories, humorous memories, and deeper reflections on the philosophy of movement in art made Akihiko Yamashita’s appearance one of the highlights of Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 38. His presence not only celebrated the legacy of Studio Ghibli but also showcased the resilience and adaptability that have kept him at the forefront of his profession for nearly four decades.

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Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville