Successful Women in Anime: Hiroko Utsumi's Best Works, From Free! to Bucchigiri?!
27-Feb-2024, 06:47
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In early January, MAPPA’s winter anime’s first episode aired, presumably raising a few eyebrows in its wake. Bucchigiri?!, now on its sixth episode, is a whirlwind of action, color, punches, and screams, with a comedy style that seems to hint at much older series. Its characters – mostly male – are outlandish, over-the-top delinquent types that wouldn’t be out of place in Tokyo Revengers if the latter had any self-irony. Indeed, Bucchigiri?! is dominated by masculinity in all its forms – most of them pretty toxic – and its protagonist's dream is to lose his virginity. It may come as a surprise then, at least for less seasoned viewers, that Bucchigiri?!’s director is in fact a woman.
Hiroko Utsumi’s name might not mean a lot to people unless they’re a diehard fan of Free! or interested in the boys' love genre. Yet, hers is a success story like few others; after starting as an animator at Kyoto Animation, she worked her way up to director first and original creator later, becoming one of the most recognizable female anime directors of recent years. Not only that, but Hiroko Utsumi also carved a space for herself in a genre usually reserved for men, leaving her mark on action, sports, and seinen anime in a way that might have transformed the way audiences around the world think of them.
Hiroko Utsumi’s career started at Kyoto Animation. She was an an imator on The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kanon, Lucky Star, Clannad, and K-On!, after which she started to gain more responsibilities, first as assistant director on the rebroadcast of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya in 2009 and then as episode director on K-On!! in 2010 and storyboard artist on K-On!!, Nichijou, Hyouka, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions and more. Her breakthrough arrived, still at Kyoto Animation, when she became the series director of Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club, one of the most beloved contemporary sports anime.
On MyAnimeList, Free!– the first season of the franchise – has a respectable score of 7.33 and, with over 795 thousand members, is only second to Haikyuu!!, Kuroko’s Basketball and Yuri!! on Ice in terms of popularity. One of the few anime to focus on swimming, Free! adapts the light novel series High Speed! by Kōji Ōji and shows Kyoto Animation at its best – beautiful character designs, attention to detail, smooth animation, and a story about friendship that is tender and deep, spanning years and involving more characters than most other series. As usual, the main protagonist, Haru, has given up swimming because of an incident involving his childhood friend Rin. When Rin comes back, however, and to keep his friends happy, Haru agrees to bring the high school swimming club back to life. It may sound trite, but Free!’s swimming club helps its members grow as people, deal with the challenges of young adulthood, and mend friendships. It’s an emotional journey that the audience can’t help but be swept up by. Hiroko Utsumi directed Free!’s first and second seasons, officially making her series directorial debut in 2013.
Making a Name For Herself, From Banana Fish to Bucchigiri?!
Hiroko Utsumi's journey from animator to director has been marked by notable achievements and contributions to the anime industry. After her early work at Kyoto Animation, where she contributed to several beloved series like "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "K-On!", Utsumi's career took off when she became the series director of "Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club." This sports anime, known for its beautiful animation and heartfelt storytelling, garnered significant popularity and acclaim, solidifying Utsumi's reputation as a director to watch.
"Free!" showcased Utsumi's ability to craft compelling narratives centered around themes of friendship, growth, and overcoming challenges, all set against the backdrop of competitive swimming. Her direction helped elevate the series beyond its sports genre trappings, resonating with audiences worldwide and earning a dedicated fanbase.
Following the success of "Free!", Utsumi continued to make waves in the industry, demonstrating versatility by tackling different genres and styles. From the emotional depth of "Banana Fish" to the high-energy action of "Bucchigiri?!", Utsumi has proven her ability to navigate diverse storytelling landscapes while leaving her distinctive mark on each project.
Despite working in genres traditionally dominated by male creators, Utsumi has emerged as a trailblazer, challenging stereotypes and pushing boundaries. Her contributions to action, sports, and seinen anime have helped reshape perceptions of what female directors can achieve in the industry, inspiring future generations of creators.
As Utsumi continues to make a name for herself, her impact on the anime landscape remains undeniable, cementing her legacy as one of the industry's most talented and influential directors. From her humble beginnings as an animator to her current status as a driving force in anime production, Hiroko Utsumi's journey exemplifies the power of passion, dedication, and creative vision in shaping the world of anime.
Hiroko Utsumi's journey from animator to director has been marked by notable achievements and contributions to the anime industry. After her early work at Kyoto Animation, where she contributed to several beloved series like "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "K-On!", Utsumi's career took off when she became the series director of "Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club." This sports anime, known for its beautiful animation and heartfelt storytelling, garnered significant popularity and acclaim, solidifying Utsumi's reputation as a director to watch.
"Free!" showcased Utsumi's ability to craft compelling narratives centered around themes of friendship, growth, and overcoming challenges, all set against the backdrop of competitive swimming. Her direction helped elevate the series beyond its sports genre trappings, resonating with audiences worldwide and earning a dedicated fanbase.
Following the success of "Free!", Utsumi continued to make waves in the industry, demonstrating versatility by tackling different genres and styles. From the emotional depth of "Banana Fish" to the high-energy action of "Bucchigiri?!", Utsumi has proven her ability to navigate diverse storytelling landscapes while leaving her distinctive mark on each project.
Despite working in genres traditionally dominated by male creators, Utsumi has emerged as a trailblazer, challenging stereotypes and pushing boundaries. Her contributions to action, sports, and seinen anime have helped reshape perceptions of what female directors can achieve in the industry, inspiring future generations of creators.
As Utsumi continues to make a name for herself, her impact on the anime landscape remains undeniable, cementing her legacy as one of the industry's most talented and influential directors. From her humble beginnings as an animator to her current status as a driving force in anime production, Hiroko Utsumi's journey exemplifies the power of passion, dedication, and creative vision in shaping the world of anime.
