Concerning the Anime Directing Method for Limiting the Quantity of Drawings to 3500 Sheets per Episode of a TV Series in Toei Animation Studio Co. Ltd. (Part 2): The Directorial Strategy in Japanese TV Anime

Abstract

In 1984, Toei Animation Studio Co., Ltd. began to limit the use of drawing paper to 3500 sheets per TV program. In order to reduce costs, other studios, such Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and Sunrise Inc. established similar measures. An unexpected result of these restrictions was the advancement of Japan’ s unique anime style of visual presentation. Based on documents and the experiences of directors and animators of that time, this essay will discuss how a move to conserve resources resulted in artistic evolution of Japanese anime.