Interview with Yoh Yoshinari and Hiromi Wakabayashi Otakon 2022

Though this interview was short, we had the pleasure to sit down with Hiromi Wakabayashi and Yoh Yoshinari. Hiromi Wakabayashi is a screenwriter and director currently working in the advertising department of animation Studio Trigger (known for their works on “Kill La Kill”, “Gurren Lagann”, “Panty & Stocking” and more.) Yoh Yoshinari is a Japanese key animator, storyboard artist and director. Some noticeable works are “FLCL”, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” or “Little Witch Academia”.

What is one cartoon here in America you like the most, is your favorite or maybe was influenced by?

Yoh Yoshinari: I have so much respect for all artists around the world but if I had to pick, the creator Craig McCracken (the creator of powerpuff girls). Anyone I grew up with and around my age. I have so much love and dedication to all artists around my time, which was Cartoon Network.

Hiromi Wakabayashi: I love Gravity Falls, I think Disney cartoons are beautiful in general. One of the biggest series I've been watching is ‘“Drawn Together” which was on Comedy central. Another one I watched was the Slim Shady Cartoon show.

What is your favorite album or music you like to listen to while working?

Yoh Yoshinari: I don’t listen to anything. I listen to the radio show.

Yoshinari laughs.

Yoh Yoshinari: TBS, one of the most mainstream Japanese Radio Shows.

Hiromi Wakabayashi: I like to listen to the top 100 songs Globally on Apple. I want to be up-to-date with the music industry and what the public loves. I am trying to stay relevant and be trendy what the crowd likes.

After apologizing for interpreting and leaving the room, they were very happy with all the questions and laughed. Their joy talking about these topics made it feel like Yashinari and Wakabayashi bonded a little more because of these personal questions. We do hope in the future we can have the chance to find out more about them.

Thank you Otakon, Hiromi Wakabayashi and Yoh Yoshinari.