The Present and Future of Anime Studios (Part 1) Bones’ Yoshihiro Oyabu on Producing My Hero Academia

Bones’ Original Work

ーーI think that a producer’s work must take many different paths, but what helps you create good anime?

Oyabu：For me, being a producer doesn’t necessarily require any kind of excellence or talent. If you can work with many different types of people, listen to what many people have to say, and continuously keep that pace up, then I think you can become a good producer.

I can't draw pictures, I can't write a book, and I'm not a talented singer. However, I understand what kind of people can thrive in which environments and listen to what they have to say. It's that talent that makes a good producer.

ーーYou’re kind of a connection hub for many different people.

Oyabu：I’d say so. However, I don’t know if the greatest common denominator is always correct, so it is necessary to sift through many different options. I also have to sit down and speak with the previous generations as an equal.

Of course, I also have a chance to talk with those in their twenties, and it’s interesting to speak with the geniuses from that generation. I’ve made comments such as “You could draw that well from the start?!” and “You’re from overseas?!”

The people I work with have different personalities, are of all ages, and come from all walks of life, so it's fascinating. It's fun to listen to what everyone has to say.

ーーWhat are the plans for more of My Hero Academia’s overseas release?

Oyabu：I think it would be nice if there were episodes made for overseas viewers. I want to make something like an old-school OVA or short story that is released overseas first. I’ve spoken with overseas partners, and All Might is overwhelmingly more popular overseas than in Japan.

Many overseas fans have the impression that a hero is not a boy like Deku or Bakugo but an adult-like All Might.

There are also many enthusiastic Himiko Toga fans overseas, so I think that unlike Japan that there is support for villains.

There are different needs for overseas markets, so I want to make a project for them.

ーーIt’s interesting to hear that about All Might.

Oyabu：The amount of All Might merchandise overseas is totally different than in Japan, especially in the US. The overseas market is large, and there are many people who we can make happy with our work, so I want to try my hand over there.

ーーFinally, I’d like to ask what Bones would like to try and challenge in the future.

Oyabu：The strength of Bones is that what makes us happy is when staff comes together to create. The team works day in and day out, considering how to create an original work, popularize it, and best deliver it to fans. There may only be one original anime announcement every few years. However, even in this generation, we still want to create original work. We want to keep on leveling up and create our own works, which of course, include series that have an original manga like My Hero Academia. Please keep on looking forward to that series as well!

Interviewer – Haruka Ishibashi, Photographer - MoA

▼In Bones’ meeting space, you can find original drawings of their work up until now!

◆Japanese edition
◆Chinese edition

『僕のヒーローアカデミア』TVアニメ第５期作品情報

好評放送中！
毎週土曜夕方5時30分読売テレビ・日本テレビ系全国29局ネット(※一部地域を除く)

＜イントロダクション＞
コミックスのシリーズ累計発行部数は3000万部を突破！週刊少年ジャンプ（集英社刊）で連載中の堀越耕平による大人気コミックを原作としたTVアニメ『僕のヒーローアカデミア』。

舞台は総人口の約8割が何らかの超常能力“個性” を持つ世界。事故や災害、そして“個性”を悪用する犯罪者・敵＜ヴィラン＞から人々と社会を守る職業・ヒーローになることを目指し、雄英校に通う高校生・緑谷出久“デク”とそのクラスメイトたちの成長、戦い、友情のストーリーが繰り広げられていく!

＜ストーリー＞
超常能力“個性”を持つ人間が当たり前の世界。憧れのNo.1ヒーロー・オールマイトと出会った“無個性”の少年・緑谷出久、通称「デク」は、その内に秘めるヒーローの資質を見出され、オールマイトから“個性”ワン・フォー・オールを受け継いだ。デクはヒーロー輩出の名門・雄英高校に入学し、“個性”で社会や人々を救ける“ヒーロー”になることを目指し、ヒーロー科1年A組のクラスメイトたちと切磋琢磨する毎日を過ごしていた。

“最高のヒーロー”を目指すデクの次なる試練、それは同じくヒーローを目指す1年B組との、互いのプライドを懸けた対抗戦！体育祭以来の直接対決に、生徒たちの意気は上がる。そんな中、デクの中で新たな“何か”が目覚めようとしていた―。

＜スタッフ＞
原作：堀越耕平（集英社「週刊少年ジャンプ」連載）
総監督：長崎健司
監督：向井雅浩
シリーズ構成・脚本：黒田洋介
キャラクターデザイン：馬越嘉彦・小田嶋瞳
音楽：林ゆうき
アニメーション制作：ボンズ
オープニングテーマ：「No.1」DISH//
エンディングテーマ：「足跡」the peggies

＜キャスト＞
緑谷出久：山下大輝
爆豪勝己：岡本信彦
麗日お茶子：佐倉綾音
飯田天哉：石川界人
轟焦凍：梶裕貴
切島鋭児郎：増田俊樹
蛙吹梅雨：悠木碧
八百万百：井上麻里奈
常闇踏陰：細谷佳正
物間寧人：天﨑滉平
拳藤一佳：小笠原早紀
鉄哲徹鐵：沖野晃司
泡瀬洋雪：松岡禎丞
塩崎茨：桜坂美穂
心操人使：羽多野渉
相澤消太：諏訪部順一
オールマイト：三宅健太