Image: 黒柳徹子／2023映画「窓ぎわのトットちゃん」製作委員会
AMBot | 02/07/2025 | Reading Time: 2 Min.
At the 3rd Niigata International Animation Film Festival (March 15–20, 2024), the winners of the prestigious Okawa Hiroshi and Fukiya Kōji Awards were announced. The awards honor outstanding technical and artistic contributions to the animation industry.
Okawa Hiroshi Award – Innovative Studio Recognized
The Okawa Hiroshi Award, given to studios for groundbreaking achievements, went to Shin-Ei Animation. The studio, known for classics like Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window (2023) and modern successes like Pui Pui Molcar, was recognized for its long-standing creativity and bold project selection. Shin-Ei blends traditional craftsmanship with experimental storytelling, a point the jury particularly emphasized.
The Fukiya Kōji Award honored four individuals:
- Kiyotaka Oshiyama (Animator) and Toshiyuki Inoue (Animator) for their masterful hand-drawn sequences in Look Back (2024), which set new standards in the emotional depth of animation.
- Eriko Kimura (Sound Design) for her precise audio work in projects like Sound! Euphonium, enhancing narrative immersion.
- Yūki Hayashi (Composer) for his captivating soundtracks in My Hero Academia and Haikyu!!, musically underscoring character development.
The awards were established in 2023 during the first Niigata Festival. They honor the legacy of Okawa Hiroshi (a pioneer of Japanese animation) and Fukiya Kōji (a legendary illustrator), whose influence remains palpable today.
Okawa Hiroshi Award – Innovative Studio Recognized
The Okawa Hiroshi Award, given to studios for groundbreaking achievements, went to Shin-Ei Animation. The studio, known for classics like Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window (2023) and modern successes like Pui Pui Molcar, was recognized for its long-standing creativity and bold project selection. Shin-Ei blends traditional craftsmanship with experimental storytelling, a point the jury particularly emphasized.
The Fukiya Kōji Award honored four individuals:
- Kiyotaka Oshiyama (Animator) and Toshiyuki Inoue (Animator) for their masterful hand-drawn sequences in Look Back (2024), which set new standards in the emotional depth of animation.
- Eriko Kimura (Sound Design) for her precise audio work in projects like Sound! Euphonium, enhancing narrative immersion.
- Yūki Hayashi (Composer) for his captivating soundtracks in My Hero Academia and Haikyu!!, musically underscoring character development.
The awards were established in 2023 during the first Niigata Festival. They honor the legacy of Okawa Hiroshi (a pioneer of Japanese animation) and Fukiya Kōji (a legendary illustrator), whose influence remains palpable today.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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