EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF TRIGGER STUDIO - Studio Trigger France said:
Following the creation of the studio Trigger, we had the opportunity to interview Masahiko Otsuka, chairman of the society. As a reminder, Masahiko Otsuka gathered with with Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuya Masumoto. The three of them are former members of Gainax. They founded their own structure on August 22, 2011.
What are the reasons that have induced you to found Trigger?
In Japan, inside the animation circle, I felt that a paradigm shift was happening concerning the method of production and management. To accommodate this situation, it seemed necessary to create a new studio. Obviously, this is also the result of the search for an ideal environment for the production of animation.
Were there things that you could not achieve by staying at Gainax?
Yes, otherwise it would not have made sense to create a new studio. I had a great freedom at the studio Gainax. In fact, works like Gurren Lagann or Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt would never have had the agreement of other people from other studios – I am very grateful in this regard. But I thought that, now, a production studio must engage not only in the phase of the animation production but also in the promotion. In other words, it must also think the way to present its work to the fans. To make this change possible, it is necessary to obtain agreement from everyone in the studio outside of the production section. So I decided to found another studio.
Can you tell us the names of some people who also participate in this adventure? Besides Hiroyuki Imaishi, Kazuya Masumoto and yourself.
As for now, besides the three of us, there is a person who deals with administrative formalities. Before next spring, some people will join the production section. In principle, we will not change the current arrangements for production that most animation studios in the Tokyo area – including Gainax – choose, we bring together a team of independent animators for each work. However, I hope these animators will continuously participate to the projects of Trigger and I think we can prepare some positions for this purpose.
As Hideaki Anno with Evangelion, will you get back some of the copyrights of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt and Gurren Lagann? Are you still on good terms with Gainax?
Everyone owns the copyright in respect of the script, the directing, etc., ever since the time of Gainax. I would like to continue to maintain a good relationship with the studio Gainax, in order to help each other.
What advantages do you get from your affiliation with the holding company Ultra Super Pictures? Can you tell us more about its structure?
Each studio is responsible for the production, as before. But the holding company Super Ultra Pictures will be responsible for the management and presentation of the work. We are talking about the details of the structure, around Mr. Hiroaki Matsuura from Sanzigen.
Have you a personal project into production or will you continue to subcontract with other anime studios at the moment?
We have an original animation project and we are in the preparation phase. At first, we will participate in works by other studios. However, I wish to make Trigger known as a studio capable of producing an original and ambitious animation.
Do you have a message for your fans?
The true meaning of the creation of the studio Trigger will speak only through our work and our future activities. Please keep an eye on our creations.