�¡ Animation Kobe Special Award

"TAKAO KOYAMA"

�¡ Judge's Comment

Hello, I am [first name] Matsushita, editor in chief of Animage magazine. The achievements of Koyama-san in the world of animation are so great as to fail description in just a few words. His legacy includes the Time Bokan series and numerous other masterpieces from his own pen, as well as his development of many younger scriptwriters, such as Hiroyuki Kawasaki, Satoru Akahori and other former apprentices who today sustain the industry through their work at its very front lines. Koyama-san will be taking a break from his work with Anime Scenario House, a program to develop a new generation of scenarists, and we would like to use this juncture to present him with this Special Award to honor his longstanding service and outstanding contributions to Japanese animation. Congratulations!

�¡ Takao Koyama Comment

Hello, I am Takao Koyama, the biggest scenario writer in Asia! (Audience laughs) By big I mean my height of 194 centimeters -- you don't get to see humans this tall even if you go to the zoo, so I'd say all of you here today are lucky to have this unusual experience! Mr. Matsushita just flattered me with excessive praise in outlining the reasons for my receiving this award, and I have to say this award was totally unexpected on my part. In fact, I'm sorry to say that when I was informed of it, I had never heard of this award and thought it was something put out by some animation otaku somewhere, so I asked if I could receive it even if I'd never heard of it, and the answer was yes. So that's why I'm here. I'm very impressed by the great discernment of the Judging Committee, though -- you've got excellent judgment! (Audience applause) Actually, I had an operation to remove a tumor two years ago in November, and the last two years have been a sort of probationary period for me, but the cancer hasn't spread so I'm told I'll probably be all right. News of this award came just as I was thinking I'd come roaring back to work next year, so I see this as an encouragement sent by the gods to get me back on track. It's not official yet, but starting next spring a certain work I can't name right now will be revived, so I'll be aiming to win a prize here next year with that. Thank you!