Tuesday, October 1st
FUMIO OBATA
Experienced illustrator, animator and published author Fumio Obata has had an extraordinary career thanks to his forward thinking, entrepreneurial attitude and ability to make the most of every opportunity.
Born in Tokyo, Fumio was inspired by the world of Manga and Anime comics from a very young age. It birthed in him a desire to write and illustrate his own published works – a dream he has been able to fulfil. His first book, L'incoyable Histoire de la Sauce Soja, (the incredible tale of the Soy sauce) came out in 2008 and in February 2014, his graphic novel, Just so Happens, published by Jonathan Cape will be available.
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| Fumio's first published graphic novel |
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| Just so Happens, published by Jonathan Cape, February 2014 |
This is a story of a young Japanese woman, who has made London her home, yet has to return to her native country when her father suddenly dies. It successfully highlights the contrasts between cultures and explores what we mean by the word “home” – themes close to the author’s heart. Fumio left his homeland at the age of 16 to attend a boarding school in Gloucestershire. He has detailed his adjustment to the British culture in an entertaining yet honest account in comic form, called Fumio’s World.
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| Fumio's World - a comic about Fumio's adjustment to British life |
Fumio later studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art, followed by an MA in Communication Design at the Royal College of Art in London. Although he was clearly gifted in sequential imagery and design, Fumio was keen to establish himself as an animator. A catalyst for this was designing and producing some animated Manga-style panels for the 1980's pop group Duran Duran, who wanted them for a live tour. This led to work for Channel 4 and Redkite Animations in Edinburgh, during which time he worked on a number of joint projects with DC Thompson.
"It was here I learnt the importance of teamwork, working to precise schedules and specific programmes and I really learnt to respect the story board artists. Story boarding is very important, it is the spine, the backbone of the job. It is the animation in its pre-animated state," explains Fumio.
In 2008 he secured a 13 month Comic Artist residency in France, which led to his first published book full of his distinctive quirky and unique visual images, which combine strong Japanese and European esthetics.
In 2012, a year after the earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster which shocked the whole of Japan, Fumio went to a port city of Japan called Ishinomaki where many NPO and NGO organizations are based, to record the aftermath in the form of comic book reportage. His work has been published in the Italian magazine Internazionale and he is currently working on a long story of his findings through comic journalism, following a recent trip back to Japan. He has also worked with NHS Lothian and his second comic book collaboration is almost confirmed.
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| Example of Fumio's comic journalism for Internazionale |
Fumio, who was one of the runner-ups for the short Graphic Novel award in 2007, and again in 2010; is also a lecturer in art and design and just started working as part of the illustration team, teaching the BA Hons Illustration course at the University of Gloucestershire. Full of enthusiasm and generous with his knowledge and talent, Fumio is keen to encourage students to find their own individual voice in what is a very competitive industry.
"I realised it was important to hold on to an artistic identity that was my own. I do sell originals of characters drawn in charcoal and I want to keep this. It gives you that extra special thing, while you are working on projects for other people," he admits.
Fumio continues to make his own work. Log on to his dynamic, colourful and entertaining website and blog and one cannot fail to be inspired, as well as feel slightly in awe of this gifted storyteller. I spent a good couple of hours engrossed in his delightful quirky tales which are so full of rich visual language, particularly a comic strip depicting Fumio’s story about his personal challenges and insecurities when embracing a new culture; and his short animated films which are full of well observed and constructed narratives. His cleverly devised sequential illustrations especially Donuts are so refreshing.
“I am here to tell the stories which inspire me. That's my nature and my job which is given to me by this world,” he adds.
Fumio Obata is a name to watch out for. There are many stories yet to come from this witty and clever animator, sequential illustrator and graphic novelist. Students had better watch out as they may find themselves appearing in one of his amusing comic strips. Tracy Spiers
Just so Happens published by Jonathan Cape will be available in February 2014.
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