Translation of Newtype 12/2003 Kill Bil, Vol. 1 article

Kill Bill, Vol. 1

A violent and beautiful anime sequence makes its appearence.

To start with, we want to bring to your attention the opening credits of the movie, Kill Bill, Vol. 1. "Anime Sequence Production: Production I.G" was the sole name listed. Usually, only the main staff is listed in the opening credits of Hollywood movies. Production I.G appeared because of a 10-minute anime sequence that they made for the film.

President Koku Ishikawa stated that he was very moved by the appearence. "The contract didn't mention that we would appear in the opening credits, so when we heard about it we thought it was great. It made us all extremely happy here.

"Tarintino said that the animation was important to this piece of work. The animation was not just for decoration, he really wanted it in the film. As for the results, he said that it rose up and even surpassed his expectations, but the opening credits?! Wow!"

The anime sequence is about the upbringing of Oren Ishi-i, the enemy of Uma Thurman's character, "The Bride." The story is dreadfully sublime. It tells of Oren being dragged into a yakuza, the Japanese mafia, dispute when her parents were brutally murdered. Several years later, she sought her revenge, afterwards becoming a top grade sniper. The animation is drawn with a rough touch to make it overflow with intensity.

For the director, Ishikawa requested Ichitoh Nakataku, who is currently working on the series Samurai Chanpuru. At first, Nakataku intended to refuse the position, but he gave in because of Ishikawa's enthusiam for the project.

Kokuto Ishii of the movie Fish-skinned Man and Peach-bottomed Girl and Shou Tajima of the comic Saiko, Multiple-personality Detective were chosen to do the character designs. Ishii did the designs of Oren as a little girl, and Tajima did the designs of her as an adult. Ishikawa originally has misgivings about having two character designers. He jokingly says, "As a matter of fact, in retrospect, we didn't two people drawing," but Tarintino said, "that's OK, because the image and impact of the sequence is important."

Tarintino explained the way he wanted the action scenes in the anime sequence by gesturing with his hands and rolling around on the floor to represent the characters. Nakataku was consulted to make sure the continuity of the anime sequence and the film went along smoothly. When the anime sequence was completed, both Tarintino and Production I.G were surging with enthusiam and struck with joy.

Production I.G is also taking part in many other projects, like the movie Innocence, which is in production. Because of this, they are glad to have finally completed this expensive short film. Production I.G's potential is unfathomable!

My Tears Begin To Flow

by Rimi Natsukawa
I happened across an old album
And murmured, "Thank You"
Everytime, Everytime, my chest swells up
When I remember those times you cheered me on
On clear days, on rainy days
Your smiling face comes to mind
But my memories fade too fast
The days when your long sought-after image returns to me
My tears begin to flow

I wish upon the brightest star
That I never forget to remember
As I gaze up at the evening sky
I seek you with all my heart
When I'm feeling sad, when I'm feeling happy
I think of your smiling face
If you can look down on me from where you are,
I am sure
We can meet again someday in this life

On clear days, on rainy days
Your smiling face comes to mind
But my memories fade too fast
When I'm lonely and yearning to think of you,
My tears begin to flow
When I want to see you again, I want to see you again
My tears begin to flow

Mango Pudding

A delicate delight the melts in your mouth. The secret is to add the cream at the very end. The light texture of this dessert makes it just right after a meal.

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 2 large mangos
  • 50-70 grams of granulated sugar
  • 5 grams of powdered gelatin
  • 150 cc of hot water (about 70 degrees C)
  • 50 grams of ice
  • 50 cc of whipping cream

Preparation (Before you start)

Take the mango in your hands and, with a bowl underneath, scrape off the rough parts of the meat of the fruit with a cutting knife. Then put the mangos in a bowl of crushed ice for safe keeping.

How to Make

  1. Put the mangos in a bowl and roughly mash them up with a wisk. (In order to preserve the taste and smell of the mangos, do not mash them too finely.)
  2. Put the granulated suger and powdered gelatin in another bowl. Then pour in the 70 degree C water. Mix with a whisk until the gelatin dissolves.
  3. Add the crushed ice to that bowl and once it is cool add it to the first bowl (with the mangos.
  4. Mix it all together with the wisk strongly (it will seem like you are mixing gravel, because of the ice and mangos).
  5. Add the whipping cream and mix it in in a large rough gestures.
  6. Pour into a vat and refrigerate for 50 to 60 minutes or until hard. Serve cold.