Release of a Shimadzu Corporation 150th Anniversary Animation

On March 31, 2025, Shimadzu Corporation celebrated its 150th anniversary. Since its founding in 1875, it has operated continuously with support  from all based on Shimadzu’s philosophy of “Contributing to Society through Science and Technology.” We would once again like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.

On this anniversary, Shimadzu has created and released “150th Anniversary Animation,” to tie the initial mindset at the time the company was founded, with the present day, and with the future. This four-minute animation depicts Genzo Shimadzu, the founder of Shimadzu Corporation, from the perspective of his employee, who works alongside him as he challenges himself to build a manned balloon that will fly, all against the backdrop of 1877 Kyoto.

Cast: Genzo Shimadzu Sr.: Kenjiro Tsuda; Shimadzu Employee: Sora Amamiya
Staff: Director, Storyboard Artist, and Producer: Tetsuo Tokuno; Character Design: Tetsuya Noshio; Animation Director: Yosuke Kabashima
Animation Producer: Hirokazu Fukumori
Animation Studio: Studio KAI

 

Background to the Anime Production

This anime initiative is the brainchild of the Shimadzu 150th Anniversary Project planning staff. It was decided to utilize the power of Japanese anime, which is very popular around the world, to raise awareness of the Shimadzu brand, as a company that continues to take on new challenges.

150th Anniversary Animation planning staff:
From the left, Nakata of Human Resources Development Dept.; Matsunaga of Manufacturing Center; Ito of DX/IT Strategy Management Dept.;
Akechi of Research & Development Management Dept.; Uchita of DX/IT Strategy Management Dept.; Shigematsu of Shimadzu General Services, Inc.

Naoki Ito, one of the staff members, joined the company four years ago. He is involved in information security at Shimadzu. Leveraging his deep knowledge of anime, he was responsible for leading this project. He approached animation production companies, and with the cooperation of ADK Marketing Solutions Inc., it was decided that Studio KAI would produce it with Tetsuo Tokuno directing.

The staff members investigated the history to support the story, which is set in the past, present, and future. A lot of discussion was held regarding the future visions of Shimadzu. During production, the Shimadzu staff and the anime production team thoroughly inspected Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Museum, which was used as both Genzo Shimadzu’s residence and Head Office. They took photos and videos to help lay the groundwork for the anime.

In the anime, the museum is faithfully depicted. If you have a chance to visit the museum in Kyoto, you might enjoy comparing the actual interior with its depiction in the anime.

Anime Highlights: “Passion is Reflected in the Images”

We interviewed the animation team.  

From the left: ADK Marketing Solutions Inc. Creative Director: Asako Sakawaki;
Director: Tetsuo Tokuno; Studio KAI Producer: Hirokazu Fukumori

― Please tell the readers about the story.

“We depict the challenges facing the founder, and link these to the future. We are particularly proud of the depiction of the scene in which the balloon built by the founder, Genzo Shimadzu, takes flight, as we were told at the planning stage that it would ‘be a symbol of the challenging spirit that extends even to present-day Shimadzu’.”

― What are you especially proud of in the balloon flight scene?

“In that scene, we thought a lot about representing the feelings of people through changes in the weather. The balloon actually took flight in December. We were not able to tell from the records whether it was snowing at the time. However, for the sake of the anime, it was decided to make it snow.”

“When the balloon takes flight, and the sun makes an appearance, the temperature rises, and the snow changes to sleet. When the sun’s rays hit the sleet, it sparkles with the colors of the rainbow, and the City of Kyoto lights up. By presenting this, we juxtapose the brightness returning to Kyoto, the City disheartened by the transfer of the capital to Tokyo, with the enthusiasm of the joyful spectators as they watch the balloon flight.”

“Further, we visited Sento Imperial Palace, where Genzo Shimadzu launched his balloon. We checked and verified where it occurred and incorporated that into the anime. Unfortunately, it was not possible to verify the historical facts, but we did pick what we thought was the optimal location and depicted that.”

A view of Shimadzu Corporation when it was founded (now Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Museum),
and the Takasegawa River, which flows nearby

― In looking at the work, what are you most proud of?

“I’m proud of the effort we put into researching the historical backgrounds. Photography had already appeared by 1875, so we needed to be accurate in our depictions. To faithfully reproduce the historical backgrounds, we did a thorough search of the records and were particular about every detail.”

“For example, in the records, it notes that Kyoto in 1875 was impoverished by the transfer of the capital to Tokyo. However, looking at the photos, the streets look well-kept and not in ruins, which we took to mean that the number of people decreased, and that a sense of desolation was in the air. Based on the situation at the time, we faithfully depicted the scene when Shimadzu was founded. By doing so, we wanted to give people a sense of the atmosphere of the era when Genzo Shimadzu lived. It is our hope that through this video, we communicate what Genzo was thinking when he launched his balloon, both his thoughts and his passion.”

Enjoy the attention to detail in this anime.