Koji Morimoto inspires creators with reflections on art at ADCS 2025

Legendary Japanese animator and director Koji Morimoto—best known for his work on Akira, The Animatrix and Genius Party Beyond—captivated audiences at the Asean Digital Content Summit (ADCS) 2025, held from 2 to 4 September in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. In a fireside chat with Throne CEO and producer Takafumi Yuki on 4 September, Morimoto shared insights from his artistic journey, creative philosophy and evolving perspectives on animation in the digital age.

Born in Wakayama, Japan, Morimoto’s fascination with animation began in childhood through television shows. “I loved watching animation since I was a child,” he recalled. Growing up in the Japanese countryside, far from major cities, he had few formal avenues to study animation. “There were no such schools or universities back then,” he said. “I was just looking for a job where I could make a living by drawing.”

That early passion grew into a career that would help shape the global animation landscape. Known for his distinctive visual style and boundary-pushing storytelling, Morimoto has long been recognised for blending hand-drawn artistry with innovative visual techniques. Reflecting on his process, he said that observing human behaviour has always been central to his art. “Since I was young, I have always been sketching and studying how people move and express themselves.”

A key influence on his work has been European art. Morimoto revealed that French comics and a French artist inspired his approach to colour and composition. “I enjoy artistic freedom—it allows me to use colours the way I want,” he revealed.

Morimoto’s pioneering spirit was evident even in his early projects. During the production of Akira, long before modern digital tools were available, he found creative ways to incorporate depth into 2D animation. “I wanted to have 3D elements in Akira, but the technology wasn’t there yet,” he explained. “So I created 3D backgrounds by hand.”

Discussing the future of animation, he expressed optimism about the role of artificial intelligence in democratising filmmaking. “When I was young, it was impossible to make a film alone. Now, you can,” he stated. “The existence of a phone means you can create and distribute content with a small device. You can be the creator, producer and distributor. The internet allows you to show your work to the world.”

To aspiring animators, he offered simple but profound advice: observe and stay curious. “If you go to school using the same route every day, one day take a different route and observe the surroundings,” he urged. “Accumulate as much visual information as possible because it’s important for creativity. Change your perception. See things differently.”

His own work, he said, is rooted in sensory observation. “To show an object differently, I observe it using all my senses.”

When asked about what keeps him motivated, he credited collaboration. “Find good colleagues and partners,” he highlighted. “I have a group of people I can trust—and that is the key for me to make it consistent and of quality.”

At ADCS 2025, Morimoto’s reflections served as a reminder that even in an era of accelerating technology, authentic artistry begins with observation, curiosity, and human connection—values that continue to define his illustrious career.