Akiyuki Shinbo in the Early 2000s

[@RealClassixX]

16 videos about Shaft. My shaft is already hard thinking about that.

[@warman13x]

Classix This is truly the best Christmas present that our Shaft-loving shafts could ask for.

[@kyokyoniizukyo7171]

FOR THE COMPANY WITH THE MOST BLAND CALIGRIFIC EVER! seriously though, why did the studio that made Madoka Magica, Bakamonagatari, hidamari sketch, and countless other gems...have THAT for their naming style... (I. E. the style of text for the companies name)

[@grashol15]

a min. of 16 video's pure and alone about studio shaft.....did i die and go to heaven?

[@hailzeondotcom]

I have never been so excited about a series of KZbin videos before. I've been a huge fan of Shinbo's work since I first stumbled upon Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei almost a decade ago, and have been extremely fascinated about his career for a long time. Like others I've been confused by his label of "Chief Director" and have noticed the strong departures from his style through out the course of his time with Shaft, so finally having a series of videos detailing his actual involvement in those projects and the origins of their stylistic influences is nothing short of the best thing ever.

[@KnightCrown]

We're really just waiting for u to talk abt bakemonogatari in depth

[@Lyoshi157]

He actually made a video about that sometime ago.

[@fidomaster447]

KnightCrown he has also mentioned however that he is planning (once monogatari is over) to fully go over it once again

[@arminengaming]

"Once monogatari is over" Never then?

[@McDudes]

monogatari isn't one piece D:

[@ConvincingPeople]

sukimotion We Need To Talk About Ougi, as it were.

[@noktoh]

I would die for digi to continue this

[@CodeBlazeFate]

So, a total of 19 videos dedicated to Shinbo? You're a madman, and we ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

[@kyokyoniizukyo7171]

...kind like shinbo in that respect, TBH...

[@aceflashheart]

Screw Shaft. Here's the new plan: 16 episodes of Digibro recommending Hentai.

[@lachlanmclean6322]

aceflashheart that's alot more fun too

[@Lecifath]

There is a two-hour long podcast of him and some other guys on the Pro Crastinators Channel doing just that.

[@trrebi981]

link pls? for research?

[@patrickfrost9405]

Proof or didn't happen.

[@bezimienny5]

That's actually really interesting. But damn, 16 videos?

[@thatsniceman5081]

seriously Digi that's too much try to summarize

[@RbDaP]

NO I DEMAND ULTRA LONG DIGI RANTS THAT'S WHY I PAY MY INTERNET XD

[@rareitor]

Internet, not patreon? :p

[@RbDaP]

***** I'm getting an international card to pay the patreon next year lol

[@MikePhantom]

16 on one mans work ? HAHA digi made 13 episodes on ONE episode of a shit anime

[@dominodamsel]

NO way. he directed temptation? the one with the amazingly hilarious dub? "sensei, your balls are so floppy"? THAT temptation??????

[@WalkingGirlKoi]

mistakes and humiliation You learn something new everyday.

[@tenworms]

"Cluck like a chicken!" "What...?" "A CHICKEN, NOW!" *several seconds of disturbingly accurate chicken noises*

[@Kuudere-Kun]

I genuinely like the Dub for Unbalance. It's the kind of Hentai Dub where the way the girls sound during the non sex scenes is pretty awkward but when they're doing what you're there for they sound perfect.

[@hollyhandgrenade42]

16 episodes? My body is ready.

[@commissarlugh1040]

16 vids huh? well at least i got something to look forward to.

[@SpiralFlip]

Jesus christ, 16 vids? Ima need to buy more popcorn

[@joeclaby2818]

Coming back to these videos is always a treat, I appreciate the insane amount of work that must have gone into the research, not to mention watching all of these shows for good clips. As a fan of Shinbo's directing style, I am so happy that these videos give us not only a catalogue of all his works, but an analysis of his aesthetic principles in some of my favorite shows. Amazing work with this series and everything else you are doing now, Trixie!!!

[@dannykazari]

Oh snap, first came "The Asterisk War Sucks" series. Here comes "Studio Shaft is Awesome" series

[@Wutever]

i thought that first one was snob lol

[@hardgay7537]

I think it's hilarious how everyone on GameFAQs' anime board knows who Digi is and hates him for being a lolicon and for understanding Evangellion better than they did. I might be cherrypicking, though, because that board is easily 10 times worse than /a. It's funny how a site with no real moderation is less cancerous than a site where you can't say "twat".

[@dannykazari]

vq There are few videos of his I disagree with mainly because he is just so good at making an argument.

[@dannykazari]

Char Aznable The whole issue with him not being able to post on /a still baffles me when he makes, in my opinion, the best anime related content on KZbin

[@bgonzal387]

maybe not the best content, but is pretty close, some guys that do excellent jobs but are not as popular are RCanime and Under The Scope Reviews, and i think that Digi wants his main channel to become more clean that theirs, despite having less time in youtube, they have a very clean video history and a structured format

[@Michirin9801]

Looks like I have 16 videos to look forward to, that will be neat!

[@sato1749]

Yeah i've waited forever for this.

[@Donvier98]

I cannot comprehend how much effort was put into making this. And yes fucking please to all those other 16 videos, cannot get enough of your content.

[@cameronschiralli3569]

Nothing excites me more than the idea of a video ENTIRELY dedicated to my favorite anime, Madoka Magica

[@drawphildraw]

As someone interested in the inner-workings of the industry, this video series has been a blast - I find myself taking notes each video

[@Idoom47]

The realization of Shaft's apparently massive teams (as you put it) behind their shows who all bring their respective talents to the table and go wild with it finally makes it click in my head just how the studio works and finally explains why I've had problems with the studio from basically the outset that I either couldn't put my finger on or couldn't reconcile whether I loved or hated them. That is, the lack of connective tissue in presentation or visual coherence. Take Monogatari, it's a franchise that I love, but also a series that triggers my artist/storyteller lizard brain like no tomorrow. Having blown 30k on an art degree in comics to have proper visual pacing and layout beaten into my head this was bound to happen. Setting aside the impractical architecture and backgrounds which is obviously only for visual flourish, there's no real connection to where each place is in relation to each other. Like, where in the school is that giant staircase Senjougahara falls down, or how far is Senjoguahara's apartment from Araragi's house? Even beyond that there are cuts made in the middle of scenes that confuse the viewer to the layout of the scene and the character's position within it, or the lighting of one scene will break the sense of time by making it appear to happen later in the day than a scene that comes immediately after. And then there's something like Nisekoi, where I can all to clearly, painfully, see where corners were cut less for stylistic purposes and more as a dressed up measure to cut costs and time. All that said, though, I honestly don't think of it as too much of a bad thing. Do I honestly NEED to know the exact layout of the plot important buildings in the Monogatari franchise and their relation to each other? Not really. And I applaud Shaft for being willing to take the risk of subverting conventions of visual storytelling in the name of delivering a product that packs a more stylistic punch or going out of its way to enhance a mood to the maximum. That is... as long as it still works and isn't an utterly incomprehensible mess like Mekakucity Actors turned out to be. Shaft always came off to me as a studio with a lot of talent behind it that sometimes has a hard time getting those talents to mesh together, the end result being jarring cuts that undercut the storytelling which only sometimes seem intentional. Now I feel like I can finally point to the reason why I feel this way, so thanks for that. And going forward, I'm eagerly anticipating the continuation of this series, especially if it's going to be as enlightening as this video has been.

[@PointingouttheObvious]

Just finished the wavemotioncannon podcast check twitter and then this is up that was the best flow I have ever had from one thing to the next on accident

[@warman13x]

I am so fucking happy that this is a thing. Without a doubt, this is the type of content that I love watching from you, Digi. Thank you for doing all the insane amount of work to make this!

[@Simok1234]

16 videos. The absolute madman.

[@LordBalmung1]

I can't believe you decided to go even further with this monster, but I'm glad you did. Thanks for this. This is some of your more compelling stuff.

[@Tkdanimal]

16 videos?!?!?!? This is why I love you, you are willing to devote so much time and effort to something so esoteric.

[@TheDJEON]

These types of videos are the reason I watch your channel. I am elated to hear there are 16 more coming.

[@cinnamonnoir2487]

There is literally nothing else on this channel that I'm interested in besides this series. If the next one comes out, it'll probably be the only analysis video featuring Pani Poni Dash that has ever existed on KZbin. I *need* that.

[@SadFace201]

I love these industry analyses. It's very rare to find people that care or understand media to this level of depth.

[@ThumpingThromnambular]

Thank you for your porn recommendations.

[@BobJones-bg4ui]

Thumping Thromnambular Let me guess, is it for Research purposes?

[@lelouchlamperouge600]

Bob Jones if by research you mean masturbation, then probably yeah

[@yourmom9931]

Thumping Thromnambular School Project?

[@arminengaming]

16 videos! I'm ready man. These videos have been very interesting already.

[@axellis8333]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO MAKE THIS SERIES FOR A VERY LONG TIME!!

[@roxas7295]

Thank you for making this video series, this needed to exist.

[@sh_dragon]

Ah, I remember the first time I watched a Shaft series. I've never done drugs, but I'm sure as hell that it's comparable to what I experienced watching that show. Ef - a tale of memories, still my favourite anime till this day.

[@TomsonPRD]

Gentleman, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention. Sixteen videos, holy crap.

[@eruno_]

SHAFT is Love, SHAFT is Life

[@JaytleBee]

YUSHH More quality digi series. Your analytical videos are seriously better than some anime

[@Dezpera]

I'll never be bored by the quality of this video.

[@dougbruce9043]

Your plan for future videos is brilliantly... insanely.... scholarly. Bravo.

[@Tsukune64]

16 videos on shinbo and shaft 2017 is looking golden, boys

[@motherlove8366]

"A minimum of 16 videos" OH GOD YES PLEASE, this series on Shinbo has not only been thoroughly interesting and entertaining but also somewhat eye opening. I'm really glad you decided to make it and can't wait for the following videos. Thanks a lot.

[@Skysord]

finally someone talks in depth about shaft. I can't wait to watch all the episodes and then rewatch for that art.

[@blueisasomedancer]

And stuff like this is why after four years you are still one of my favorite creators on KZbin. I can't wait to see how deep this rabbit hole goes

[@robinfalkner3891]

16 videos on my favorite studio. I love you digi

[@Dionysian.Cryptid]

I remembered Moon Phase a week ago, I watched it when I was a kid with my then best friend. When you were going over the wide shots in the 1990s Shinbo video I thought of the scenes in Moon Phase that showed slices of the mc's house

[@e-sharp1660]

Oh my god. 16 videos??? I'm so ready for this.

[@chocobros1]

Gonna watch Digi's Akiyuki Shonbo retrospective starting from the 90s again because the animation is just soo good to look at.

[@ishmaelcohen-scali8093]

What this video tells me is that Shinbo is the Suda51 of anime. Suda51 was an incredibly popular game director known for his quirky offbeat style, while not forgetting that the fans are important. But the last game he directed was No More Heroes 1. He has been relegated further and further back in the production cycle ever since.

[@Trixiethegoldenwitch]

Yeah, I've been seeing them as parallel creators for a long time.

[@Tamacat388]

Relegated further back? Doesn't he own his own company and still writes for the games?

[@ishmaelcohen-scali8093]

Thanatos388 He doesn't own grasshoper studios, he does work on all of their games. He hasn't Directed in almost ten years.

[@nasamaru8885]

Hell yeah boi im ready to hop on this crazy ride.

[@winterx2348]

Your description of Moonphase is my exact experience with it when I tried to watch it, haha. You're doing an amazing job with this series. The amount of research you've done is incredible, you huge nerd, you. Keep it up! I can't wait to see the other 16 parts!

[@alamian7625]

Before watching your videos, when someone mentions Akiyuki Shinbo all I think of is that iconic 45 degree shots.

[@Thunder-Sky]

Well, sounds like we're finally getting your next long form, multi-part series. I am excited for the outcome.

[@iamso211]

When you said you were doing 16 shaft/shinbo videos I screamed. The only person I've come across who is more of a shinbo fanboy than me is you! I plan to bump up my patreon tier once these start rolling. Thank you for making exactly the kind way too in depth kind of content I love!

[@gutsmcgordan4184]

Really wish you made those 16 videos....R.I.P

[@Robersora]

This is awesome, can't wait for the next parts!

[@CaraDoesThings]

I'm so excited for this series!!

[@SpoofyZapps435]

I think that your way of explaining the trail of Shinbou is very interesting and I freaking love it. It feels like I should start taking notes. But doing so would ruin me since it feels like everything you say is worth noting down. I'm extremely hyped to see this seri- err I mean lecture continue and it will be thrill to wait for the continuation of this series.

[@korakys]

This was a very good video series. Thanks for the hard work.

[@joshy-noha]

I hope you come back to this, I would love to see you explain Shimbo's techniques and style in-depth.

[@Thewisemanoncesaid]

I think I'm fully willing to sit down and watch every video you do concerning this haha.

[@jensvide777]

This is a very interesting series, Digibro. Thank you.

[@AraMarkov]

Oh frick yeah! Another massive series over analyzing every single camera angle! I'm pumped. No really, I'm not being sarcastic. I'm actually really excited.

[@GurenMarkIII]

Loved the last one. So excited for this.

[@thelevetzmeow746]

Super hyped for the next 16 videos

[@PhantomZ2]

I can't WAIT for you to dig into Mekakucity Actors.

[@Tacomelon115]

Side note: I have been watching Hidamari Sketch while I saw Madoka Magica years ago. And Hidamari tends to make me sleepy while I watch it but Madoka was the polar opposite. For some reason I just kept watching Hidamari. Now that I watched this video I think it's the character designs that my brain related to and maybe even the director had make them look similar unintentionally. And I think that is why I continue to watch Hidamari Sketch, maybe my brain wants to see more Madoka. I digress, all your vids Digi make me think and notice things I never would have other wise, so thanks for making me feel smarter!

[@McDudes]

Thanks for putting out these Shinbo videos :D You and Davoo are amazing for all the work you put in! It makes me want to quote this classic lyrics: "I've been waiting for this moment all my life" - Phil Collins

[@SquidwardAF]

great series, digi

[@kwakwakita]

Shaft's done like the majority of the anime comedy shows I've enjoyed along with several other really great shows, so an in depth discussion of how their works developed would be great Digi. Keep at it.

[@halbvampir07forever]

Great video! I was really looking forward to this!

[@zsdghl]

That cliffhanger at the end. Good shit. Can't wait.

[@KeyMan137]

This is some DEEP analysis. I love it.

[@dojo215]

HOLY SHIT. I had no clue Kubikiri was being adapted. And the first 2 novels are the only ones that've been english translated. Damn. But thanks for the info tidbit, I really suck at hearing about stuff when it's actually happening, and that's one major thing I enjoy about these types of vidoes.

[@larsdoesfitness8988]

this watch is gonna be lit af

[@HxH2011DRA]

Bruh...we're gonna be here awhile

[@KeybladerStorm]

-hears 16 videos- Good luck, Digibro. I'll probably watch them all.

[@jk-ue1pd]

HELL YA. KEEP THIS SERIES GOING.

[@BasementOtaku]

Oh boy. Looking forward to it!!!

[@wonderwiseM]

Talk about nice timing, just finish part 1 of you and josh's podcast. But wow 16 episodes on shaft, I'm hyped.

[@TotallyRadicalShow]

Amazing video Digi, this is my favorite type of content, and even though I've actually never seen any Shaft shows, I'm still gonna watch them.

[@FabricioKMS]

I don't know why i felt so happy when he said 16 episodes

[@ConvincingPeople]

I'm going to be following this very, very intently, I think.

[@mintpaintome]

I hope you're insane enough to still be working on this project

[@MistletoesArt]

4:33 "Blood Royale has the stuff that'll make the normies barf" I fuckin lost it lmao

[@iamalittleboat]

If you're up for making all those videos, I'm sure as hell up for watching 'em.

[@amcsi]

Something I found really interesting about Tsukuyomi Moon Phase was how it was hard to decide whether the anime was intended to be serious or a comedy. It would change from episode to episode. And I have since developed an attraction to similar shows like that.

[@Shokushuko]

Somehow just the visuals have gotten Neko Mimi Mode stuck in my head, lulz

[@axellis8333]

Studio Shaft easily became my favorite studio long before I had known about it's existence. When I started watching anime I think back in '05 one of the first series I had completed was Tsukuyomi moonphase. I had no idea of the concept of studios until I had watched bakemonogatari on it's release but when I started looking into SHAFT works, I had already seen a large bulk of them. Even today I'll unknowingly be drawn to a SHAFT work and only find out they had produced it halfway through the series (Arakawa under the bridge and March comes in like a lion)

[@Ohmygodiamonfire]

I remember hearing that he did the BLAME! OVAs back in the early 2000's under another pseudonym, and those sure as hell look like they were done by him too. Did you not find any thing to confirm that in your research?

[@Trixiethegoldenwitch]

Never seen any mention of that. I suspect that Shinbo has a few pseudonyms that haven't yet been figured out, though, mostly doing other jobs on his own shows.

[@Knight_Astolfo]

Shinbo porn!? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS!?

[@VinceTenia]

Digi, you must really, REALLY like this guy: Karate Shin Bone. The amount of otaku oozing from your work on this series - i love it.

[@Cobalt360Degrees]

Welp. So much for 16 videos. Knew it sounded too good to be true.

[@AjisaiVT]

Yay, yer doing somethin' on Mikaku City Actors! That show is what brought me to love the Shinbo-Shaft style.

[@kww0121]

still waiting

[@14megasxlr]

"I'm going to need a minimum of 16 videos" Godspeed dude.

[@BlurredVision18]

If you watch Nanoha S1 again. There is alot of the Shinbo traits you pointed out in your previous two videos throughout the season. The red sky in the opening scene, yellow sky when you meet Fate in ep4 as well as her spell to seal the jewel seed, the silhouette of Fate's transformation and spells in 5 as well as many other single palette backdrops in various eps, the shot from a hallway in the Arthra where that picture is hanging, the Fish Eye lens when Amy and Chrono are looking for data on Fate, Fate being strung by chains like a crucifixion, Presea's face on multiple monitors when they try to arrest her and that's just off the top my head, I since watched it soon after your vid, there's a lot of very noticeable things.

[@fennefox257]

Well I know which show I'm going to be looking forward to seeing a dissection of :3

[@toastyman111]

Digibro literally saving the entire anime youtube community

[@captainadmiral8439]

As a big fan of how Nisekoi and Monogatari have been brought to the screen (especially in the case of Nisekoi, where I think Shaft turned an otherwise pretty standard harem story into tons of fun) I'm excited to see more of this. Hope you're still making them Digi, bit worried that its been 2 months since the last update .~.

[@Gelsamel]

One thing I've always thought is that Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei spans such a long period of time that it is a great look into how SHAFT slowly became more and more deranged and out there with their visuals.

[@carpedtm]

finish this! 🙏