Escape Studios Goes to Tokyo

Escape Studios' Animation Students are Heading to Tokyo

This Saturday September 5th twenty one Escape Studios' animation students are heading to Tokyo, to learn more about manga, anime and Japanese animation techniques. 

Our animation students will be attending classes and workshops in Manga and Anime at Digital Hollywood University in central Tokyo.  We're delighted to be able to organise this unique experience for our students. 

Disney Tokyo

Pooh Bear in Piglet's Big Movie

I worked in Tokyo at Walt Disney Animation Japan for six months in the Spring and Summer of 2002, working on Piglet's Big Movie, a film that was storyboarded in Los Angeles - but animated in Tokyo.  

Tokyo Talent

Working in Japan was a great experience, in part because of the very talented Japanese crew, and also because of the very strong work ethic that drove the team to strive for the highest possible quality on the movie, despite its comparatively low budget. 

Classes at Digital Hollywood University

Theatrical Release

Piglet's Big Movie had originally been conceived as a straight-to-video delivery, but it eventually won a theatrical release in the USA, opening at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. 

Piglet's Big Movie

You can see some of my shots from Piglet's Big Movie below.

Character Animation

At my desk in Tokyo in 2002

It was a huge pleasure to work on AA Milne's characters, some of the most appealing characters ever created for animation. 

Winnie-The-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit and Tigger were all a delight to bring to life, due to their contrasting personalities and acting styles.  

Closure - and Revival

Sadly the Disney Animation Studio in Tokyo closed two years later, in 2004.  The studio talent lives on however as The Answer Studio, founded by former Disney Japan president Motoyoshi Tokunaga, which continues to deliver high-quality Japanese animation, including the 2026 release "Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to", which premiered in July. 

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.