- Interview location: Anime Expo 2026
- Interview format: Face to face, one to one
Animation Pioneer: bluestone It proved quite popular. What do you think led to its success?
Katsutani Junichi: We’re told that the road to success for real sports animation is tough. Despite this, football remains a very popular major sport. we believe Ao Shi’s Success is based on the fact that we care deeply about human drama and stories. I think that moved the audience. Ashito comes from a very small city and comes to Tokyo. His story and character development resonated with many viewers.
Anime Herald: What would you like our readers to know about the upcoming second season?
Katsutani Junichi: In the second season, Ashito is promoted to HM. He met older, higher-level players. Season two has more characters than season one. They have their own great drama. I think it’s different than season one.
Another thing is the description of the game. We are using motion capture CG. Our goal is to achieve a realistic and dynamic depiction of the game.
Animation Herald: What’s your origin story? How did you decide to get into this industry?
Katsutani Junichi: I majored in personality law in college, specifically copyright law. After graduation, I got a job doing licensing work Pokémon and other such titles.
About eight years ago I became interested in animation development and production. I was transferred to the production department. In addition, I can also play football. i really love bluestoneso I became a producer bluestone.
Anime Herald: I noticed you were wearing the captain’s armband. What position do you play? How did you win the captain’s armband?
Katsutani Junichi: I play as a winger. I’ve never been a captain. I just love wearing armbands. (laugh)
Animation Herald: Did the World Cup have an impact on the production process of Season 2?
Katsutani Junichi: This doesn’t really affect production. Coincidentally, the first season coincides with the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Of course, football is a very popular sport around the world. The excitement is good.
Animation Herald: Do you have any questions for us?
Katsutani Junichi: As I mentioned before, sports animations are notoriously difficult to pull off. What do you think American fans appreciate? bluestone?
Animation Herald: You must be familiar with it slam dunk and Haikyu! !. It’s about relationships. Yes, we watch the games, but what matters is how those games affect the participants.
I think the original sports anime was giant star. It was about a father and son. The father helped his son succeed through some very painful practices.
Another original sports anime I think is boxing, Tomorrow’s Joe. This is again the human drama experienced by the protagonist.
Katsutani Junichi: I have been to Anime Expo three times. Do you think the trends among North American anime fans are changing?
Animation Herald: Yes. One of the changes is role play. Originally, roleplay was something that someone had to create from scratch. Now, people can buy and customize clothing online. Role-playing has become more common and professional.
We now have a second generation of anime fans. Their parents both watch anime. Now this is a common thing in their house.
Nowadays, people watch anime on their mobile phones and listen to it through headphones while riding the train. Anime has become mainstream.
Katsutani Junichi: Thank you so much.
Animation Herald: Thank you.