Date: July 2, 2023
Location: Anime Expo 2023
An interview with Nagaya “Digi” Akihiro and Higuchi Yumiko at Anime Expo 2023.
Anime Herald: You mentioned that you had a very tight deadline, can you talk about that?
Deji: That’s tough (laughs).
We have a contract with a studio and are focused on storyboarding the anime itself – we’ve spent a lot of time on the concept, the setting and the main theme – so we’re facing a tight deadline.
Anime Herald: Can you talk about the concept?
Desi: The relationship between nature and humans.
Anime Herald: Have you decided how many episodes you want to do?
Yumiko Higuchi: We are [producing] Six episodes for a miniseries, 12 for a full season. We’re still in discussion.
(Editor’s note: Yanmar Holdings announced on July 18 that the series will have five episodes.)
Anime Herald: As a B2B company, who came up with the idea to reach out directly to consumers?
Dezi: It was originally btrax, but we already had the idea for this one, at the same time.
©Yanmar
Anime Herald: You’ve been researching the beauty and aesthetics of machines throughout your history. Can you tell us what it is that makes a machine beautiful, and how you hope to express that in this anime?
Deji: It’s something that really relates to the design of our robots and the design of our products. Thank you for choosing the word “beauty.”
I believe we need to make tools and machines for a purpose. Beauty comes from purpose.
Anime Herald: What kind of beautiful and cutting-edge initiatives has Yanmar undertaken so far?
Desi: Take our tractor for example. It was designed by an ex-Ferrari designer. Like I said, a design can be beautiful because it serves a purpose. But it also has to be enjoyable to use. That’s part of the machine’s function. The design has to take that into account. The machine has to be easy to use, easy to operate. That’s a fundamental part of the design.
On the other hand, it needs to be something that is pleasing to look at. It needs to be polished. It needs to be fun to hold, fun to own, and fun to look at.
Anime Herald: I can see your passion. Can you express this passion in animation? Will there be beautiful tractors in the mill?
Deji: There are many different types of robots in anime. There are many different types, such as Gundam type, Evangelion type, etc. We want to create a new type of touch, a new feeling, a new robot and a new product at the same time.
Anime Herald: You mentioned Gundam. Gundam was created to sell toy robots. Do you plan on selling toy versions of your robots?
Deji: Yes! That’s one of the reasons we make anime: branding.
Yumiko Higuchi: I come from the anime industry. At first, I was worried that whatever robot I made would look like Gundam or Evangelion. Real robot type or humanoid type robot. When I first saw their robot, I thought it was kind of a humanoid type. But they put a lot of adapters on the back. Now I think it doesn’t look like Evangelion. It’s Yanmar.
Deji: That’s our philosophy. Our products, even tractors, need to help humans. To lighten the load. That’s what machines are for. To amplify our power and lighten our labor. Gentle on humans, hard on what we’re working on.
Anime Herald: One of the things btrax talked about in their panel was showcasing machines of the future – machines that don’t exist yet but might. Are those some of the cool toys you’re trying to make because they don’t have to work in the real world?
Deji: That’s right! Think of Mazinger Z. You can’t analyze what’s going on inside the machine. We are a machine manufacturer, so the design has to be realistic. The animation, design, and structure have to be more realistic.
Anime Herald: It sounds like you’re having a lot of fun. Were you an anime fan growing up?
Deji: Yes. I liked Evangelion, Gundam, Mazinger Z. They reflected the times. I liked those stories that depicted the culture of the time.
Anime Herald: You mentioned three very different types of mecha anime. Gundam is a melodrama. Evangelion is a story of people’s pain and suffering. Mazinger Z is a weekly villain. What do you plan on your style being?
Dezi: Great question. We want to create things that you’ve never seen before. But you can’t create 1 from 0. You have to create new combinations, new hybrids.
Yumiko Higuchi: Yanmar knows about machines that help people. In the future, the environment may change, and people will want to use machines to change the environment so that people can survive and thrive. Enjoy their world. That’s what we want to show.
Deji: We will focus on nature and humanity, such as global warming and certain environmental problems. We want to show that we are facing these problems and how we can solve them. That will be our main theme.
Anime Herald: You’ve worked for Toyota, Yamaha, and Yanmar. What made you decide to move from the automotive industry to the heavy machinery industry?
Deji: I think all three companies have one thing in common: they’re crazy… super crazy. It doesn’t matter if it’s heavy or a little small. It doesn’t matter if it has two wheels or four or more. They don’t care. It’s all about human happiness.
©Yanmar
In Yanmar’s case, it’s a business-to-business transaction so it may be a little different, but the general goal for humans is the same.
Anime Herald: When do you think Mill will be released to the public?
Yumiko Higuchi: The first episode will probably be aired at Anime Expo 2024. The remaining episodes may be released in the winter.
(Editor’s note: Yanmar Holdings announced in a press release that the series will debut in early 2025.)
Anime Herald: You have a strong interest in jazz. Does that come through in Miru?
Dezi: I’ve been focusing on a new type of jazz lately. I want to incorporate Japanese culture and express something different. A new type of hybrid beat to go with animation.
Anime Herald: Any questions?
Desi: Why did you ask about beauty?
Image from the anime “MIL: The Road to the Future” website, © Yanmar
Anime Herald: I’m from New York, and there’s some very beautiful architecture in New York, and there’s some very ugly architecture. I notice that. Your passion for aesthetics got me thinking about that.
Deji: I think New York is beautiful.
Anime Herald: Maybe so.
Woman: Do you like Hudson Yards?
AnimeHerald: No. I said “ugly” because that’s what I thought.
Woman: (laughs)
Anime Herald: Any other questions?
Woman: What do you think of the anime industry in our country? Ten years ago it was a subculture. Now it’s mainstream.
Anime Herald: I think of Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z as the father and mother of anime in America. They were hugely popular.
Because so many people watched anime, people who watched anime were no longer beaten up so badly. Other people also liked and watched anime, so they were no longer bullied.
Now it’s hugely popular through streaming, Crunchyroll, Funimation, etc. You can watch it on your phone or computer. It’s become more accessible and more popular.
(Editor’s note: May Funimation rest in peace.)
It’s strange, but I think there are too many veterans in the industry and not enough younger staff who are properly trained.
Woman: You understand us so well.
Thanks to Yanmar and Anime Expo for making this interview possible.
For more information about the project, please visit the official website.
