Mori Yasuji One of the classics and creators of modern Japanese animation Date of Birth: 25.01.1925 Country: Japan

1. Origins and Early Career
2. Transition to Directing and Further Evolution
3. Taming the White Snake and Beyond
4. The Birth of the Supervisor Animator and Influence on Future Masters
5. Designing an Icon and Moving to New Horizons
6. Classics on the Small Screen and Legacy as an Unsung Master

Origins and Early Career

On the island of Taiwan, where he was raised, Mori was captivated by American cartoons during World War II. Inspired, he yearned to become an animator. In the late 1940s, he joined Nippon Douga, a studio led by renowned pioneers of Japanese animation.

His first film contribution was as a background painter on "Tora-chan to Hanayome" (1948). He then became an animator on "Poppoya-san Nonki Ekichou" (1949), directed by Masaaki Kumagawa. During this period, all Japanese animation was monochrome.

Transition to Directing and Further Evolution

Following "Poppoya-san" came "Kobito to Aomushi" (1950), directed by Hideo Furusawa. Over the next three years, Nippon Douga faced difficulties, leading Mori to briefly work for Seibu department store as a poster artist. He also began collaborating with children's literature publishers and "Manga Shounen" magazine, for which he provided illustrations throughout his career.

In 1953, Mori returned to Nichidou Eigasha (renamed from Nippon Douga) and co-directed his first film, "Kousagi Monogatari" (1954), with Taizo Yabushita. For Yabushita's "Kuroi Kikori to Shiroi Kikori" (1956), Mori wrote the screenplay. However, he found his true calling lay in animation, drawing, and character design, not directing or screenwriting.

Taming the White Snake and Beyond

In 1956, Nichidou Eigasha became Toei Douga, a subsidiary of Toei Company. Mori became one of its leading animators, mastering the new technique of color animation. Alongside others, he created feature-length anime such as "Hakujaden" (1958), "Shounen Sarutobi Sasuke" (1959), and "Saiyuki" (1960).

The Birth of the Supervisor Animator and Influence on Future Masters

During the production of "Wanpaku Ouji no Orochi Taiji" (1963), Mori effectively created the profession of supervisor animator (enshuutsu), a technical organizer and overseer of the animation process. At Toei Douga, Mori mentored a generation of future anime legends, including Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Gisaburo Sugii. He notably helped Takahata and Miyazaki push their first joint project, "Taiyo no Ouji Horus no Daibouken" (1968), through studio resistance. Miyazaki later edited a collection of Mori's drawings in his honor.

Designing an Icon and Moving to New Horizons

In addition to his animation work, Mori designed characters and supervised "Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko" (1969), directed by Kimio Yabuki. The film's protagonist became an iconic mascot for Toei Douga. In 1973, Mori moved to Nippon Animation, focusing on television series as a character designer and chief animator. His graphic style evolved significantly during this period.

Classics on the Small Screen and Legacy as an Unsung Master

Notable works from his time at Nippon Animation include "Alps no Shoujo Heidi" (1974), directed by Takahata; "Flanders no Inu" (1975), directed by Yoshio Kuroda; and "Grimm Meisaku Gekijou" (1987-1988). After "Grimm Meisaku Gekijou," Mori retired from animation, maintaining friendships with his former colleagues and illustrating children's literature.

While not widely known internationally, Mori remains a revered classic in Japan. Though children's animation is not usually considered a major strength of anime, Mori believed that all ages deserved access to thoughtful, heartwarming, and visually stunning animated works. Without seeking fame, accolades, or leadership positions, Mori became an unsung architect of modern anime, leaving a legacy of enchanting tales both domestic and foreign.