The Business of Creativity: Behind-the-Scenes of TV Anime Creation

Bronx-born LeSean Thomas is one of the few Black Americans working in the anime industry in Japan. Starting his career in television, he worked as Co-Director and Lead Character Designer on The Boondocks, Producer and Supervising Director on Black Dynamite, and contributed as a Story Artist and Animation Production team member on The Legend of Korra. He then transformed his career by moving to Japan, where he created, directed, and executive-produced Children of Ether for Crunchyroll, followed by creating, executive producing, and directing Netflix’s Cannon Busters. His most recent work is Netflix’s Yasuke—a project LeSean created, directed, and executive produced.

Japan Society is excited to bring LeSean back to New York City for a weekend-long film series showing the anime that inspired him to pursue a career in Japan.

As part of this major event, Japan Society in collaboration with The Imagination Project Inc. is hosting a free screening and talk with LeSean Thomas focused on college students. In this event, LeSean will share one of his works, speak with students about his story, and take students on a journey of how his unique experience took shape in content development / television production. He will discuss the details of anime production, the skills he acquired to work in this field and recommendations on getting a start in animation. His goal is to return to his hometown of NYC and inspire the next generation of creators, artists, animators and directors.

Outline:
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Doors Open
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Introduction and Cannon Busters Screening
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – LeSean Thomas Talk and Q&A

Audience:
This event is for college students with an interest in art, animation, creativity or Japan. No experience is required, but it is most recommended for students majoring in a related field, as Thomas will speak technically about working in the animation world.

RSVP:
This is a free event for college students. To sign up, professors should reach out to [email protected] to request tickets for their classes. Students should not email directly. Please note seating is limited. RSVPs will close once all seats are filled.

About Cannon Busters: 
Cannon Busters is an original IP created by LeSean Thomas. Thomas led as Executive Producer, Creator and Series Director of this 12-part anime series produced in Japan by Satelight (Macross Frontier, Fairy Tail, Aquarion). Its staff included director Takahiro Natori (Frieren), character designer Tetsuya Kumagai (Paprika) and art director Ken Naito (Madoka Magica). It was one of the first anime series to be created and directed by a non-Japanese writer/animator and produced in Japan. It follows immortal renegade Philly the Kid and his transforming pink Cadillac on an adventure with an android on her quest to find a missing prince.

About LeSean Thomas
South Bronx-born LeSean Thomas is among the distinguished few Black Americans making their mark in the TV anime industry and is currently the only Black American to successfully create, produce and direct original TV anime series in Japan. LeSean’s most recent triumph is the critically acclaimed and NAACP Image Award-nominated Netflix series Yasuke. 

Part of Foreign Exchange: Anime Inspirations & Visionaries with LeSean Thomas

Image: Cannon Busters © LeSean Thomas.

Co-organized with the Japan Foundation, New York and the Imagination Project Inc.

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Anime NYC and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, and Film Circle members.

Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film Program. Housing assistance is provided by the Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film Program.