Director teaches attendees to craft short-form anime at SAC

One aspiring animator asked how Ikegaya cultivated her distinct style, to which she replied, “Consistency comes from embracing simplicity but making sure your characters still have an emotional connection.” Another participant inquired about balancing creativity with deadlines, prompting her to reflect on her early career: “In university, I studied video production, but animation chose me, it’s about finding joy in your work, even when it’s stressful.”

Personality-driven design is a core tenet of her work, she said, adding, “a character’s walk, their pauses, even their sighs; these details make them more real, even if they are abstract” she explained, referencing Koinu’s internal monologues. Despite her accolades, she admitted, “I’m still learning. Every project teaches me something new.”

Success follows a relatable concept

Revealing the behind-the-scenes magic of ‘Stick It on Around! Koinu’, Ikegaya shared that the series was crafted by a lean team of 5–7 people, with her juggling several roles. While showcasing a rough storyboard version of an episode, the clip; a minimalist sketch of Koinu highlighted her focus on relatable emotions and dry comedy. “We infused scenes with everyday dread, like the monotony of a job or deciding what to cook. Even a dog can mirror human anxieties.”

She also demoed her go-to tool, Adobe Animate, explaining how its simplicity aligns with her aesthetic. “Complex software can stifle creativity. I need tools that feel like sketching on paper, and give me the ability to fully flesh out animated concepts at my own pace” she said while live-drafting Koinu’s signature ear twitch.

Guiding the rhythm of the narrative

Adapting the format of a four-panel manga into a short-form anime posed unique challenges. Ikegaya described the process as “translating punchlines into motion.” While the manga’s humor relies on readers’ internal timing, the anime “guides the rhythm,” she noted, playing a side-by-side comparison of a manga strip and its animated counterpart. “In the anime, Koinu’s delayed reaction to a sticker disaster is stretched for suspense; something the manga can’t easily do. But both mediums have their magic.”

Despite their simplicity, the characters in Koinu radiate warmth. Ikegaya revealed that she intentionally kept designs minimalist to evoke a “mellow, approachable vibe.” “They’re dogs, but their struggles are human,” she said, displaying concept art of Koinu’s coworkers; a gruff bulldog manager and a perpetually anxious poodle intern. “Their round shapes and soft lines make their emotional highs and lows feel safe, almost nostalgic.”

The workshop closed with Ikegaya urging creators to find freedom in limitations. “Don’t fear simplicity. A single well-animated sigh can tell a richer story than a thousand flashy effects,” she said, as the audience responded in applause.