On the Author's Trail. The Case of (Japanese) Animation

Abstract

The article concerns the issue of film authorship concerning animated cinema. The article's author chose the case of Japanese animation to present the problems within the category of auteur cinema. Among the many anime directors, those commonly called auteurs are Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Katsuhiro Ōtomo, Mamoru Oshii, and Satoshi Kon. Their animated works are characterized by exquisite style, and novelty of themes and stories, through which the directors manifest their original vision of the world. Associating the above-mentioned Japanese animators with film authorship, a seemingly obvious and natural act, after thorough analysis can raise some doubts. The author of the text thus set the theoretical framework defining auteur animation, with particular emphasis on problematic issues, that Japanese directors of animated films later referenced.