In a recent CGTN interview, Oscar-nominated animation director Shuhei Morita drew attention to the “flatness” shared by Chinese ink-wash painting and Japanese Ukiyo-e. For Morita, this distinctive 2D aesthetic represents a universal language that could bring animators from the Chinese mainland and Japan closer together.
Morita, best known for his Oscar‐nominated short film Possessions (2013) and for directing the first two seasons of the anime series Tokyo Ghoul (2014), recalls how he first fell in love with visual storytelling. He says the simplicity of East Asian 2D art sparked his creative spirit and still guides his work today.
As streaming platforms and international co-productions fuel demand for fresh content, Morita believes that tapping into shared Eastern aesthetics will help artists transcend language and cultural barriers. With a common artistic foundation, animators from both sides of the East China Sea could forge new collaborations, blending tradition with innovation.
Morita’s vision highlights a growing trend: as global audiences seek stories that resonate across borders, Eastern 2D aesthetics may become the bridge that connects creators and fans worldwide.
Reference(s):
Shuhei Morita: Bridging China-Japan animation with 2D aesthetics
cgtn.com
