MUMBAI: Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, created in 1993 was recently released in theaters across India in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu. The visually stunning anime film, depicting India's beloved epic, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from audiences. With breathtaking animation and flawless storytelling, the film captivates audiences, immersing them in Lord Rama’s heroic journey of devotion and moral triumphs. The stunning animation that is being praised is done by none other than the renowned animation director Mr. Kazuyuki Kobayashi. But did you know that the animation director who brought this exceptional artistry to this masterpiece is also an ex-Studio Ghibli animator?
Kazuyuki Kobayashi has previously worked with one of the world’s biggest animation studios, founded by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Recently, the film's original makers shared a heartfelt note from the animation director, where he reflected on his journey working on the project and how he drew inspiration from his work at Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli. Kobayashi shared his passion for the story, detailing his dedication and creative process in bringing Valmiki’s epic to life through stunning visuals.
I had worked on Japanese animated television shows and co-produced animated films with the United States as a key animator and animation supervisor. I drew key frames for Studio Ghibli's “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” and “Laputa: Castle in the Sky” and learned how Hayao… pic.twitter.com/yvkvPeAbcW
— Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (Official) (@RamayanaAnime) January 26, 2025
Having previously drawn key frames for Studio Ghibli classics like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Kobayashi shared that he learned from Hayao Miyazaki's creative process. When asked to work on this Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, Kobayashi shared that he put in immense effort, taking charge of character development.
He adapted the main characters into anime by studying Indian magazines, books, and paintings. He took care to ensure the originality and traits of the characters, and along with his team drew an astonishing 120,000 celluloid pictures to bring the story to life. Concluding his note, Kobayashi expressed excitement for Indian fans to witness their work and hoped they would appreciate the effort behind it.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama released in 4k for the first time in theaters across India on January 24, 2025, and has been theatrically distributed in the country by Geek Pictures India, AA Films, and Excel Entertainment.
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