Anime Central becomes the first con to take on Japan’s Global Anime Challenge

After graduating from university in 2016, Keiichiro Saito began his career as an animator. He has worked on various projects as a key animator, storyboard artist, director, character designer, and animation director. Saito-san made his directorial debut in 2019 with the OVA “ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. Regards” as a co-director.

His name became well known among anime fans for directing his first TV series “Bocchi the Rock!” in 2022. In the following year, he became even more renowned throughout the world as the director of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”.

His latest works include the 2024 theatrical compilation films “Bocchi the Rock! Re:” and “Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re:”.

Greeting message from Keiichiro Saito:
“I am currently participating in a program called the Global Anime Challenge, where I am learning how the world interacts with Japanese anime. I am looking forward to the exchanges I will have with people from Chicago and other countries at Anime Central.”

In 2011, Takafumi Nakame joined the anime industry as a part-timer in summer when he was a university student.

He started working for Makoto Shinkai in 2013 as a production assistant in “The Garden of Words”. He worked on numerous other films including the world-class hit “Your Name” as a production desk (pipeline manager). He then joined Studio Chizu to work as a production manager for Mamoru Hosoda’s film “Mirai” and other films including “Belle”.

After that, Nakame-san became independent and worked as a freelance producer on various projects. Always seeking fresh and exciting opportunities, he took on the assistant producer role for Yuki Igarashi’s “PLANTOPIA” music video in 2022.

His latest producer works include production assistant for Yoshiyuki Momose’s “The Imaginary” in 2023 as well as animation producer for “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” directed by Keiichiro Saito who is also participating in the Global Anime Challenge.

Greeting message from Takafumi Nakame
“Thank you very much for inviting me to Anime Central 2025. I hope to talk about some fascinating aspects and behind-the-scenes of Japanese anime production. I would also be happy to learn about American anime culture through mingling with the fans. Looking forward to seeing you all in Chicago.”

Kaoru Tanimoto majored in calligraphy during his university student years. At the same time, he loved drawing. Ever since he made the bold leap to join the anime industry, he has worked as a freelance animator. Tanimoto-san distinguished himself as someone who can apply his calligraphy skills in anime production, as he contributed his brush lettering works for the TV anime “Sengoku Youko”.

His recent works include “Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange” episodes 13-23 where he contributed his character designs in 2023 as well as “The Elusive Samurai” episode 11 in 2024. In that episode alone, he worked on about 160 cuts as an animation director.

Lately, he’s been into frozen fruits sold in supermarkets. He’s also a dog person.

Greeting message from Kaoru Tanimoto:
“This will be my first time participating in an anime event overseas, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’d also like to take note of the differences between events in Japan and in the US.”

Mana Kudo started working at Kinema Citrus in 2018. She is currently working as a key animator and animation director at Gift-o’-Animation, a subsidiary of Kinema Citrus.

Kudo-san’s Kinema Citrus works as a key animator include “Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress”, “The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2”, and “Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun”. She also worked as an animation director for “Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress” and “My Happy Marriage.”

Greeting message from Mana Kudo:
“I am very happy to be part of Anime Central, as I was waiting for an opportunity such as this to arrive!”

You can also follow Mana Kudo’s cat on Instagram.