Interview:Anime Expo (July 2018)

An English interview with Naokatsu Tsuda in Anime Expo 2018 on July 6, 2018.

Interview
Q: So, what's your day to day activities like when you aren't directing anime?

Tsuda: I sleep, wake up, get ready for work, work, come back home, and sleep, really.

Q: Really? That's it?

Tsuda: Really, it's true.

Q: What are the secrets to creating an opening and ending sequence for JoJo's?

Tsuda: The opening sequence should serve as the intro to the show but also get the audience hyped up. The ending sequence, though, needs to leave audiences feeling like, “Aw man, it's done?”

Q: I like how in one opening sequence during Stardust Crusaders, the opening sequence was interrupted by DIO's stand. It's that kind of thinking outside of the box that's really unique.

Tsuda: I'm glad you bring that up, actually. I'm glad that the title includes the word “bizarre.” It really gives us free license to do what we want to do.

Q: What is your favorite Stand and what Stand would you hire to work at the studio?

Tsuda: My favorite Stand is Gold Experience because its really strong. When it comes to what Stand I'd work with, I think “Heaven's Door” is what I'd pick. It'd be very convenient for meeting deadlines.

Q: What directors have influenced you?

Tsuda: Actually, a lot of American movie directors, like Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro, and Stephen Spielberg.

Q: How closely did you work with Araki on the music choices in the opening and ending sequences?

Tsuda: We didn't work with Araki so much on the opening sequences but definitely a lot in the endings. He was heavily involved in providing the art and music choices.

Q: When it comes to “Roundabout” by Yes, I bet they had an increase in sales after their song was used and were pretty confused when that happened.

Tsuda: I think that song was not well known by Japanese people but when they heard it, they thought “Wow, who sings this? It's cool!”

Q: So what inspired you to transfer the sound effects from the manga directly into the anime series?

Tsuda: Well, the idea came from the manga. I think the world of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure would be incomplete without the sound effects there.

Q: What do you want viewers to know about this new anime season of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure?

Tsuda: I think this one has the heaviest themes, so I hope you'll please watch it with all of us in Japan until the very end.