When was the first true anime film Imokawa Mukuzo Genkanban no Maki released?
Imokawa Mukuzo Genkanban no Maki was released on the 1st of January 1917. This film marked the first time animation was publicly shown in a theater in Japan.
Common questions about Ōten Shimokawa
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What materials did Shimokawa use to create his early animation films?
Shimokawa used chalk and white wax on dark boards to create characters that could be rubbed out and redrawn frame by frame. He also drew ink directly onto the film itself to save costs on expensive imported celluloid.
Why did Shimokawa stop producing animated films in the 1930s and 1940s?
Shimokawa stopped producing animated films due to chronic health problems that forced him to return to work as a consultant and editor for other production companies. His deteriorating health prevented him from continuing his career as a creator.
How many short films did Shimokawa create in 1917 and what happened to them?
Shimokawa created five short films in 1917 including Imokawa Mukuzo Genkanban no Maki, Dekobō shingachō, Meian no shippai, Chamebō shingachō, and Nomi fūfu shikaeshi no maki. All five films have vanished without a trace and no physical evidence of them survives today.
Where did Shimokawa move to at the age of nine to begin his career?
Shimokawa moved to the Tokyo area at the age of nine where he eventually found work as a political cartoonist and manga artist for Tokyo Puck magazine. This move set the stage for his transition from static images to moving animation.