9802


In the anime version of Aku no Hana, the animators chose to use a technique
called [Rotoscoping](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotoscoping):

> Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which animators trace over footage,
> frame by frame, for use in live-action and animated films. Originally,
> recorded live-action film images were projected onto a frosted glass panel
> and re-drawn by an animator. This projection equipment is called a
> rotoscope, although this device was eventually replaced by computers.

This resulted in the animation looking more realistic and quite different from
typical anime, as pictured below.

![Example](https://i.stack.imgur.com/I3E4V.jpg)

Online, I've seen both love and hate for the style, but I'm wondering: Have
any Japanese animators commented on it? [According to
TVTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Rotoscoping), it has a
bad reputation in the West with animators such as [Richard
Williams](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RichardWilliams) and
[Milt Kahl](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DisneysNineOldMen), but
it makes no mention of Japanese animators.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-19T21:01:25.213
4170
2017-03-28T11:33:29.157
2013-06-21T17:51:42.247
274
1530
question
anime-production the-flowers-of-evil
How was Aku no Hana's rotoscoping received by other animators?


There's not much information out there, perhaps because it is bad practise to
criticise fellow animators. But there is information from the people who were
involved:

Firstly, [The mangaka](http://justputithere.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/aku-no-
hana-hana-ga-saita-yo-kai-notes/) was satisfied with the way the anime was
animated, and [the studio](http://sgcafe.com/2013/08/interview-with-mappas-
masao-maruyama/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-
mappas-masao-maruyama) itself was happy with the outcome, wanting [realism
without making it completely live action](http://www.japanator.com/aku-no-
hana-s-hiroshi-nagahama-talks-flowers-evil-28789.phtml) and wouldn't be
opposed to doing it again with another series, mentioning that Mushishi would
be a good candidate for the style.

Vertical Inc., who publish the manga in English, have also stated their
support for the stylistic adaption - [Vertical Inc. Tumblr](http://vertical-
inc.tumblr.com/post/47480925580/blog-post-on-the-flowers-of-evil-anime)

The industry as a whole isn't opposed to rotoscoping in the industry, Kuuchu
Baranko also implemented it for one character's appearance and there was
little outroar on the internet

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0W4Vr.jpg)

Kids on the Slope also used the technique for animating the characters playing
instruments, most notably the drums;

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/iUJCH.gif)

It also wasn't the target of much negative feedback either.

Personally, I think that if a large unconvential stylistic choice was made for
an entire anime, there will always be negative feedback, and that makes a lot
more noise than positive ones.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T07:55:33.267
9802
2014-05-19T07:55:33.267
1530
4170
answer


It's not the rotoscoping itself, but the combination of rotoscoping along with
the omission of various details that cause negative reactions. When the brain
is given visual data to process, it doesn't immediately distinguish whether
what it's shown are objects in the real world or images on a screen or paper.
The brain looks for various cues, like the relationship between lines and
shading and color, and automatically searches for and identifies patterns that
it can use to determine relative positions of objects, motion of living things
and other objects, human motion and facial expressions, and other features
that are important for survival. As such, when the brain perceives patterns
that aren't actually there it will never the less still include those patterns
in the final processed image that we "see." This is the basis for pretty much
every optical illusion ever created. On the other hand, when the brain is
given an image that approaches realism but is missing various cues or the cues
are slightly off, the brain freaks out and releases cortisols and other
chemicals to simulate pain and initiate a fight or flight response.

Basically, images that approach realism too closely without actually making it
all the way there will appear extremely "creepy" and be off-putting, and not
just to some people, but to everyone with a functioning visual cortex and
adrenal cortex. But that's exactly what the studio was shooting for, so
mission successful? It simultaneously adds to the atmosphere but breaks
immersion, which makes it difficult for people to project themselves into the
story with the exception of a few scenes where the audience is allowed to
vicariously explore deviant behaviors.

So when seeking other animators' opinions on Aku no Hana, I'd be wary of
people who conflate the style with its psychological and physiological
effects.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-28T11:33:29.157
39600
2017-03-28T11:33:29.157
31678
4170
answer