Shinji Higuchi Explained

Shinji Higuchi
Native Name:樋口 真嗣
Native Name Lang:Japanese
Birth Date:22 September 1965
Birth Place:Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Nationality:Japanese
Years Active:1984–present

is a Japanese filmmaker. Known for his tokusatsu blockbusters, Higuchi is considered one of Japan's leading filmmakers of the 21st century.[1] [2] [3]

Higuchi became known for his work on , for which he won the Special Technology Award at the 19th Japan Academy Film Prize. In 2005, he made his feature directorial debut on . His second feature film, Sinking of Japan (2006), was second place at the Bunshun Kiichigo Awards. His 2015 live-action two-part film adaptation of Hajime Isayama's manga series, Attack on Titan, won the Excellence in Theatrical Live Action Film award at the 2016 VFX-JAPAN Awards.[4] In 2017, Higuchi and Hideaki Anno won the Director of the Year award at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize, for their work on the 2016 kaiju film, Shin Godzilla. His 2022 film, Shin Ultraman, was a major success in Japan,[5] and has received generally positive reviews from critics internationally.[6]

Biography

Early life

Higuchi was born on September 22, 1965,[7] in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. When Higuchi was in junior high school, his aunt took him on a tour of Toho Studios, where she worked on commercials. Upon watching Toho's special effects crew at work, Higuchi became inspired and frequently visited the filming sets.[8]

In 2019, Higuchi told French interviewers about his education: "At the end of high school, when I had to pass the entrance examinations to universities, I failed everything. But since I was in a very popular high school, the school leaders refused to let me leave empty-handed! [laughs] So they said to me: 'you have to pass an exam, any!' I ended up passing my entrance examination for the Japanese Post Office, as a civil servant. I was sorted, locked up in a warehouse."[9]

Early career

Higuchi entered the Japanese film industry in 1984, working as an assistant modeler on The Return of Godzilla. Two years later, he directed the special effects for Daicon's tokusatsu fan film Yamata no Orochi no Gyakushū.[10]

As a key Daicon/Gainax member, he played an important part in the creation of one of the most popular anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). He was a writer and art director/storyboarder for the series. He was also the namesake for the show's protagonist, Shinji Ikari.[11] He later voice-acted a musician modeled after himself in two episodes of Karekano.[12]

Higuchi made his directorial debut in 1992 with the disaster film The Day the Sun Fissured: The Great Tokyo Earthquake which he produced for Tokyo Fire Department.[13]

Personal affairs

Higuchi supports Japan's whaling and consumptions of whale meats in general, and have appeared in the 2023 pro-whaling documentary film by Keiko Yagi, the director of the 2015 film Behind The Cove. The 2023 documentary featured the pro-whaling claim to highlight the necessity of whaling to control the marine ecosystem to prevent declines of fish stocks by whales, which largely affected public opinion regards the issues in Japan. The Fisheries Agency of Japan withdrew the claim in 2009 at the annual meeting of International Whaling Commission, but didn't correct it domestically afterwards.[14] Yagi and Higuchi remarked that "Godzilla is closely connected to whales and environmental issues in naming of the character and other aspects", and expressed their supports for whaling and skeptical views towards veganism.[15] [16]

Filmography

YearTitleDirectorSFX directorStoryboard artistMiscellaneousNotesRef(s)
1984The Return of GodzillaAssistant modeler
1985Yamata no Orochi no Gyakushū
1987Assistant director[17]
1988[18]
Gunbuster[19]
1991The CatWith Kazuo Sagawa; uncredited
Mikadroid
1992The Day the Sun Fissured: The Great Tokyo Earthquake
1994
1995
Neon Genesis Evangelion Screenwriter[20]
1996Space Ship Remnant 6[21]
[22]
1997The End of Evangelion[23]
1998Love & Pop[24]
1999[25]
Betterman
2000Sakuya: Slayer of Demons[26]
2001Pistol Opera[27]
The Princess Blade[28]
2003[29]
Dino Crisis 3
Dragon HeadVisual effects designer[30]
2005
2006Sinking of Japan
Onimusha
2007[31]
2008
2009[32]
2010Monster Magnitude: 9Screenwriter
2012Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo[33]
The Floating Castle[34]
[35]
2013Kill la Kill
2014[36]
2015Attack on Titan[37]
Attack on Titan: End of the World[38]
2016Shin Godzilla[39]
2018[40]
2020The 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died in 8Original story[41]
2021[42]
2022Ribbon[43]
Shin Ultraman[44]
Kamen Rider Black SunVisual concept designer[45]
2023Baian the Assassin, M.D.Trailer creator[46]
Baian the Assassin, M.D. 2Trailer creator[47]
KyrieActor[48]
2024Brush of the GodActor[49]
TBAThe Bullet Train[50]

Accolades

Award ceremonyYearWork(s)CategoryResultNote(s)
Japan Academy Film Prize1996Special Technology[51]
2013The Floating CastleDirector of the YearWith Isshin Inudo[52]
2017Shin GodzillaDirector of the YearWith Hideaki Anno[53]
Line News Awards2022Cultural Person[54]
46th Japan Academy Film Prize2023Shin UltramanDirector of the Year[55]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: June 30, 2022 . 庵野秀明企画・脚本『シン・ウルトラマン』が日本公開中。半世紀愛されるシリーズの新作 . Shin Ultraman planned and written by Hideaki Anno is now open in Japan. New work from a series beloved for half a century . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130021956/https://jff.jpf.go.jp/ja/read/news/shin-ultraman/ . November 30, 2022 . November 29, 2022 . JFF+ . . Japanese.
  2. Web site: 【独占】樋口真嗣監督に聞く、庵野秀明氏とシン・ウルトラマンで目指す「断絶の解消」 . (Exclusive) Interview with Director Shinji Higuchi: 'Elimination of discontinuity' for Shin Ultraman with Hideaki Anno . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130021822/https://www.sbbit.jp/article/cont1/86980?page=1 . November 30, 2022 . November 29, 2022 . Business + IT . 1 . Japanese.
  3. Web site: 2022-05-13 . 【樋口真嗣監督インタビュー】特撮映画の牽引者は、『シン・ウルトラマン』でなにを描くのか？ . (Interview with director Shinji Higuchi) What will the tokusatsu film leader draw in Shin Ultraman? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130022238/https://www.pen-online.jp/article/010553.html . November 30, 2022 . November 29, 2022 . . Japanese.
  4. Web site: Inc . Natasha . CGとVFXの祭典、VFX-JAPANアワードで「バクマン。」が実写映画部門の頂点に . 2022-08-04 . 映画ナタリー . ja.
  5. Web site: Fantasia Festival Shin Ultraman . 2022-08-04 . Fantasia Festival . en-US.
  6. shin_ultraman. movie. Shin Ultraman. August 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727072710/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shin_ultraman. July 27, 2022. live.
  7. Web site: 隠し砦の三悪人 THE LAST PRINCESS - 映画・映像 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629030918/https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/kakusitoride/staff.html . June 29, 2022 . June 28, 2022 . Toho.
  8. Book: Haraguchi, Tomoo . Dream Fragment: Toho Special Effects Movies . March 12, 2021 . . 978-4-7986-2447-1 . 106–108 . Japanese.
  9. Dupuy . Julien . Mauro . Fabien . Le ravageur de mondes, entretien avec Shinji Higuchi . The Ravager of Worlds, interview with Shinji Higuchi . Ynnis Editions . . French . Otomo . 4 . 978-23-76970-64-4 . July 3, 2019 .
  10. Web site: 日本沈没 - 映画・映像 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629035449/https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/nihon/staff.html . June 29, 2022 . June 28, 2022 . Toho.
  11. Web site: Character Name Origins: NGE. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070819093918/http://www.evacommentary.org/appendix/character-names.html. August 19, 2007. mdy-all.
  12. Web site: untitled. https://web.archive.org/web/20050211122414/http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/karekano/diary/9903-e.html. February 11, 2005. gainax.co.jp. March 4, 2015.
  13. Web site: 樋口真嗣（Shinji Higuchi）氏: 仲間に助けられてここまで来た それに尽きます . 2022-06-29 . 樋口真嗣（Shinji Higuchi）氏: 仲間に助けられてここまで来た それに尽きます . ja.
  14. Web site: Junko Sakuma. 2009-06-30. クジラが魚食べて漁獲減」説を政府が撤回 - 国際捕鯨委員会で森下・政府代表代理が「修正」発言]. JANJAN. https://web.archive.org/web/20100107183730/http://www.news.janjan.jp/living/0906/0906290018/1.php . 2024-02-29. January 7, 2010 .
  15. Web site: Natalie. 2023-07-07. 食・科学からクジラに迫るドキュメンタリー「鯨のレストラン」公開、樋口真嗣も出演.
  16. Web site: Keiko Yagi. 2023-09-16. 「ゴジラ」が「クジラ」と「環境問題」に密接な関係あることがわかるドキュメンタリー映画『鯨のレストラン』！. Youtube. 2024-02-29.
  17. Web site: 王立宇宙軍 オネアミスの翼 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  18. Web site: Inc . Natasha . 「帝都」シリーズ初BD化、樋口真嗣が新たにジャケットをデザイン . 2022-08-03 . 映画ナタリー . ja.
  19. Web site: トップをねらえ！ 劇場版：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  20. Web site: ローレライ - 映画・映像｜東宝WEB SITE . 2022-08-03 . www.toho.co.jp.
  21. Web site: 宇宙貨物船レムナント6 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  22. Web site: ガメラ２ レギオン襲来：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  23. Web site: THE END OF EVANGELION 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air／まごころを､君に : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  24. Web site: ラブ＆ポップ：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  25. Web site: ガメラ３ 邪神覚醒：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  26. Web site: さくや 妖怪伝：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  27. Web site: ピストルオペラ：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  28. Web site: 修羅雪姫：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  29. Web site: 劇場版ポケットモンスター アドバンスジェネレーション 七夜の願い星ジラーチ：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  30. Web site: ドラゴンヘッド：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  31. Web site: ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：序：映画作品情報・あらすじ・評価｜MOVIE WALKER PRESS 映画 . 2022-08-03 . MOVIE WALKER PRESS . ja.
  32. Web site: ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  33. Web site: 巨神兵東京に現わる 劇場版 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  34. Web site: のぼうの城 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  35. Web site: ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：Q : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  36. Web site: April 28, 2016 . 押井守監督『ガルム・ウォーズ』メイキング映像解禁 過酷な自然環境でのアクション撮影 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160810113509/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2070838/full/ . August 10, 2016 . September 21, 2022 . Oricon News . . Japanese.
  37. Web site: 進撃の巨人 ATTACK ON TITAN : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  38. Web site: 進撃の巨人 ATTACK ON TITAN エンド オブ ザ ワールド : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  39. Web site: June 13, 2016 . Godzilla Resurgence Press Notes . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210101042344/https://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2016/06/13/godzilla-resurgence-exclusive-high-res-photos-from-toho/ . January 1, 2021 . September 21, 2022 . SciFi Japan.
  40. Web site: April 15, 2018 . 【インタビュー】特撮映画の名手・樋口真嗣が描く"お仕事アニメ"の本気度。航空自衛隊とドラゴンと…異色だらけの話題作『ひそねとまそたん』 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180416030045/https://entertainmentstation.jp/206655 . April 16, 2018 . September 21, 2022 . Entertainment Station . Japanese.
  41. Web site: 8日で死んだ怪獣の12日の物語 劇場版 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  42. Book: Hikawa . Ryūsuke . Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Pamphlet . Kimata . Fuyu . 2021 . 74 . Japanese . B08Y8NVC8W . Ryūsuke Hikawa.
  43. Web site: Ribbon : 作品情報 . 2022-08-03 . 映画.com . ja.
  44. Web site: Shin Ultraman (live-action movie) - Anime News Network . 2022-08-03 . Anime News Network.
  45. Web site: 白石和彌監督『仮面ライダーBlacksun』製作スタッフ発表 樋口真嗣氏や田口清隆氏が参加 11・21にキャラデザ解禁へ.
  46. Web site: 仕掛人・藤枝梅安 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-04 . 映画.com . ja.
  47. Web site: 仕掛人・藤枝梅安2 : 作品情報 . 2022-08-04 . 映画.com . ja.
  48. Web site: キリエのうた. February 29, 2024. eiga.com.
  49. Web site: カミノフデ 怪獣たちのいる島. February 28, 2024. eiga.com.
  50. Web site: 草なぎ剛×樋口真嗣監督でパニック映画『新幹線大爆破』をリブート！ Netflixで映画化決定. February 29, 2024. Crank-in!. February 29, 2024.
  51. Web site: 19th Japan Academy Film Prize . August 3, 2022 . Japan Academy Film Prize.
  52. Web site: 36th Japan Academy Film Prize . August 3, 2022 . Japan Academy Film Prize.
  53. Web site: 'Godzilla Resurgence' Wins Big at 40th Japan Academy Prize Awards. Blair. Gavin J.. The Hollywood Reporter. March 3, 2017. August 3, 2022.
  54. Web site: LINE NEWS AWARDS 2022. LINE NEWS. December 14, 2022.
  55. Web site: Komatsu . Mikikazu . January 22, 2023 . The 46th Japan Academy Film Prize Announces Five Winners of Animation of the Year . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123214814/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2023/01/22/the-46th-japan-academy-film-prize-announces-five-winners-of-animation-of-the-year . January 23, 2023 . March 12, 2023 . . en-us.

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