Interview with Shinsuke Sato, the Japanese Director of ‘Bleach’

I’m extremely excited to have had the opportunity to interview the amazing Japanese director, Shinsuke Sato. Being a fan of Japanese cinema and culture, I was thrilled to delve into the creations of Shinsuke Sato, a man renowned and highly respected for both writing and directing I Am a Hero (2015), The Princess Blade (2001), The Time of Death (2011), and most definitely my favorites, Deathnote (2016) and Gantz, which I’ve reviewed as a personal favorite for 2010!

Pophorror: Thank you so much for taking the time out to do this interview with me! I know you’re currently busy on location in China, and I really appreciate your dedication and hard work to bring flavor to Japanese cinema, which has always been fascinating. What inspired you to become a writer and director, and where did you get your inspiration from?

Shinsuke Sato: When I was a junior high school student, I wanted to be a novelist and a painter. I wanted to make a story, and at the same time, I loved drawing, oil paint. When I was in high school, I needed to decide which way I go. It’s a very difficult decision for me at that time. But both ways are so much different to study. One day I came up with one idea. If I combine those two, a picture and a story, it would be a movie that I love most since I was a little child. At that moment, I decided to become a movie director. It was first grade in high school, I think.

Pophorror: You’re well known for both writing and directing I Am a Hero, The Princess Blade, The Time of Death, and my personal favorites, Deathnote and Gantz. How did your career in the industry start?

Shinsuke Sato: I was a student director when I was in university. I made several independent movies at the university. That was my first step of my career. One of the short movie got a grad pre of the movie festival for independent film in Japan. Then I was able to show my another new  middle length movie and a long length movie before graduating the university. Several producers had interest to work with me to make a feature film. Also one director wanted me to write a script for his film. After graduating the university I wrote a script for him. That was my debut in the film industry.

Pophorror: When it comes to writing and directing, which is more rewarding for you personally?

Shinsuke Sato: Directing, of course. Only a director can complete a movie. Of course, I love to write a story. A story is important for a movie, but a movie is not a story. I love to make a movie using a story, acting, vision, music, more than to make a story only.

Pophorror: What has been your favorite project that you’ve written or directed, and have you produced any projects?

Shinsuke Sato: The Time Of Death is my original short movie. I produced, wrote and directed it. I like this movie, and I want to make more like this. I mean, a work that I create the original story, produce and direct.

Pophorror: Apart from writing and directing, have you been actively involved in editing, visual effects and other aspects of the crew? When giving direction – how does it compare to taking directing and being on the other side, as part of the crew?

Shinsuke Sato:I haven’t been an editor, a visual effects artist or the other part of the crew truly, except a script writer. But I was able to draw a storyboard and talk with visual effects team as usual. I have made many CG opening movies or in-game movies for games. So, it is so much fun to talk about the pictures that we make. When I was a script writer, I tried to write the director’s wish that he wanted to put into his movie, as much as possible. But at the same time, I tried to write my wish, too. I think it is possible.

Pophorror: In regards to your writing – you’ve written numerous screenplays and scripts since 1997: Tokyo Yakyoku, Red Ninja: End of Honor and The Time of Death, to name a few. Are you writing any other screenplays or scripts at the moment?

Shinsuke Sato: Yes. After graduating from university, I offered writing a script from directors who watched my movies I made when I was in university. I don’t write any script for another director right now. I write for my movie with script writer sometimes and for my short films.

Pophorror: You’ve produced various projects since 2001, ranging from video to TV series to movies: The Princess Blade, Sand Clock and Library Wars, to name a few. Where did you get your inspiration from when getting the visuals for directing these movies?

Shinsuke Sato: I’m not sure where I got the inspiration. I have watched a lot of movies, enjoyed pictures, art and read novels.Those are the bank of my inspiration.

Pophorror: Your current work in post-production is Inuyashiki (2018) and the famous Bleach (2018). Are they both adaptations from animation? Do you have a screening date set for those when your fans can view it on the big screen?

Shinsuke Sato: I have completed Inuyashiki in this July and Bleach in this March. I had been in post-production simultaneously in this year and a half.

Pophorror: Bleach, originally a Manga written by Tite Kubo, has been the Number 1 in Japanese action and adventure when it comes to animation. You have many fans of Bleach. Being an amazing, yet challenging project, were there any challenges in making this adaptation?

Shinsuke Sato: I challenged to make a whole image in reality. I love this unique concept of the world and a reaper. At the same timem I love mixing this unique world with the real present world.

Pophorror: From personal experience in producing a film, there are many divas and difficult cast and crew members. Have you experienced any difficulties on set with cast and crew?

Shinsuke Sato: I really enjoy making films with casts and staff. I have little problem with those people. Of course, we are faced many difficult problems like financial problems, production problems or creative ones. To solve them is part of my job, and also one of my funniest.

Pophorror: Have you ever had the opportunity to be on the other side of the table at an audition, such as casting?

Shinsuke Sato: No, I have no such experience.

Pophorror: Writing comes with its own challenges and takes time and determination. What are the negative and positive parts of being a director, especially when it’s your concept and visual that you’re directing?

Shinsuke Sato: I think a director wants to do every part of the filmmaking, like script writing, editing, making music. But sometimes, he can’t do everything with his own hands. He has to use another person like script writer, editor or music composer. That is the positive part, but sometimes it is the negative part. Mostly, it works great, much better than he did them by himself, and it enhance his images. But sometimes, it doesn’t. That is one of the difficulties of directing. I have a basic visual cinematic style, so I’m following the style every time.

Pophorror: Do you have any advice for those aspiring to become writers or directors, and those wanting to get involved in the Japanese film market?

Shinsuke Sato: Keep making something. It is very important to think how to create something constantly, as well as to think how to make one masterpiece. Making constantly augment one’s ability.

Pophorror: Can you tell us a bit more about your production company, Angle Pictures?

Shinsuke Sato: When I was at Musashino art university, I and Taro Kawazu, director of photography, made this group, not a company at that time. We had made student films, short films, independent films. Several years ago, we made this group, a company. I hope to make a feature film from here in near future.

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Inuyashiki and Bleach! If you’re a fan of Japanese cinema and enjoy the creations by Shinsuke Sato, then let us know what you think about his movies, and if you have a collection of Japanese cinema, make sure to include his to your collection!

So watch this space for more reviews on Shinsuke Sato‘s creations and the upcoming Inuyashiki and Bleach, coming soon!