Latest news with #Ochiai
Hypebeast
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Shohei Ochiai's Special-Ediiton Tamagotchi Is Based on the OG '96 Model
Japanese artistShohei Ochiaihas unveiled a special collaboration withTamagotchi, releasing a reprisal of the first-generation model updated with his artwork nodding to the game's origins. Offering a nostalgic nod to Tamagotchi's 1996 release, this limited-edition device and its packaging are adorned with Ochiai's hand-drawn work. Coming at the height of Gen Z's bag charm mania, thedevice comes with a ball chain that can be attached to keychains, bags, or collaboration features a Tamagotchi Original housed in a translucent shell, emboldening the original Y2k aesthetic with an additional Tamagotchi UFO design in blue. Elsewhere, matching blue buttons and border accent the design. On the other side, iconic characters from way back like Professor Banzo and Mikachu are pictured above an official Shohei Ochiai and serial number. Blending aunique mix of art, gaming, and fashion accessories, the collaboration fuses Ochiai's artistic worldview and the nostalgic appeal of Tamagotchi. Among Ochiai's recent collabs are special caps produced withNew artist modified the New Era logo through his unique lens, using a three-dimensional, overlapping embroidery for five caps and two t-shirt designs. Similar to his latest partnership with Tamagotchi, the artist's distinct quality is evocative of childhood creativity and the poetry of imperfection. Slated for delivery in August 2025, the Shohei Ochiai x Tamagotchi collaboration is available for pre-order now at the Beamsweb store.
Leaders
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Saudi Film Festival Highlights Similarities between Saudi, Japanese Cinema
The 11th Saudi Film Festival has highlighted the cinematic parallels and connections between Japan and Saudi Arabia during a significant panel, according to Arab News. The panel witnessed the participation of US-based Japanese director and photographer Ken Ochiai, Oscar-nominated Japanese animator Koji Yamamura, and Ithra's Japanese-fluent Saudi film expert Majed Z. Samman. Moderated by Zohra Ait El-Jamar, head of Hayy Jameel Cinema, the discussion played a pivotal role in strengthening cultural exchange. Yamamura Saudi Film Festival Oscar-nominated Japanese director Koji Yamamura provided animation lovers with an exclusive masterclass about his career. Titled 'Giving Shape to Invisible Light,' the masterclass captured the attention of animation enthusiasts on Saturday, April 19. During the event, the Japanese director and filmmaker showcased his process and offered attendees fruitful insights into his unique approach. 'I'm very interested in Arabic culture. It is my first time in Saudi Arabia — I would like to sketch it. I think the landscape is very different from Japan,' Yamamura told Arab News after the session. Saudi Film Festival Meanwhile, Ochiai commended the Saudi film 'Hobal', highlighting the similarities between Japanese and Saudi cultural expressions in cinema. 'Less is good, if you can convey feelings through facial expressions,' Ochiai said. Apart from this, Samman stated that Saudi audiences have admired three main film categories for decades: 'Hollywood, Bollywood, and anime.' 'Saudis grew up on anime that was mostly dubbed into Arabic. If you're not into it (Japanese storytelling style), or if you're not going to research it, you might think it's stupid or cheesy — or, what's happening here? I think we need to bridge that gap between the culture and the visual language,' he said. Differences between Hollywood & Japanese Cinema Saudi Film Festival As for the differences between Hollywood and Japanese cinema, Ochiai noted that in Hollywood, several takes are shot, and editing comes later. However, Japanese filmmakers usually tend to edit in real time in order to minimize extra work. 'What we really need to focus on is the message of the film. How you learn is not on YouTube, but how you learn is from the past, like the movies from the past, because everything is coming from the top,' Ochiai added. Saudi Film Festival Importantly, the Japanese cinema adopts a deep minimalist sensibility that may sound confusing to foreign audiences. This is basically due to the fact that Japan's film industry has traditionally focused on domestic audience, without paying attention to background details that international audiences need to know. 'Art is a copy of something. So, if you copy the copy of the copy of the copy, it just gets watered down — the quality — so you should learn the history of the cinema so that you can also bring something new to the table,' he said. Related Topics: Japanese Yamamura Holds Masterclass at Saudi Film Festival Ithra: Saudi Film Festival to Feature Screenings, Workshops, Networking Forums 10th Saudi Film Festival Begins in Tehran Short link : Post Views: 5
Arab News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Film Festival panel explores parallels between Japanese, Saudi cinema
DHAHRAN: From Tokyo to Dhahran, audience members at the 11th Saudi Film Festival were treated to a rich cross-cultural exchange during a panel this week that explored the cinematic parallels and connections between Japan and Saudi Arabia. Moderated by Zohra Ait El-Jamar, head of Hayy Jameel Cinema, the panel featured US-based Japanese director and photographer Ken Ochiai, Oscar-nominated Japanese animator Koji Yamamura, and Ithra's Japanese-fluent Saudi film expert Majed Z. Samman. Yamamura, who has had a career spanning 45 years and teaches at Tokyo University of the Arts, said: 'What I make is more artistic films, not commercial ones.' The globally acclaimed animator offered a masterclass earlier in the festival. Ochiai, who viewed the Saudi film 'Hobal' at the festival, noted striking similarities between Japanese and Saudi cultural expressions in cinema. He praised 'Hobal,' pointing to the strong emphasis on cinematography, concise dialogue, and captivating narrative. 'Less is good, if you can convey feelings through facial expressions,' he said. The panel encouraged the audience to watch more foreign films 'to broaden your perspective.' Samman said that Saudi audiences have favored three main film categories for decades: 'Hollywood, Bollywood, and anime.' He said that his love of cinema began while studying in Tokyo. 'Saudis grew up on anime that was mostly dubbed into Arabic,' he said, adding that many popular films, such as 'Inception,' were based on Japanese originals. Japanese films often require a bit of homework beforehand, Samman said. 'If you're not into it (Japanese storytelling style), or if you're not going to research it, you might think it's stupid or cheesy — or, what's happening here? I think we need to bridge that gap between the culture and the visual language,' he said. Ochiai explained the differing approaches to film editing, saying that in Hollywood, several takes are shot, and editing happens later. In contrast, Japanese filmmakers often prefer to edit in real time, based on a meticulously planned storyboard, in order to minimize extra work. While Japanese films can sometimes feel lacking in context, every country has its own visual language, he said. Japanese cinema's minimalist sensibility resonates deeply within Japan, though it can sometimes feel mysterious or confusing to outside audiences. This is because Japan's film industry has traditionally prioritized domestic viewers, without filling in background details that international audiences might need. Ochiai said that audiences today who focus on trending aesthetics, especially on TikTok, may be looking in the wrong direction. 'What we really need to focus on is the message of the film. How you learn is not on YouTube, but how you learn is from the past, like the movies from the past, because everything is coming from the top. 'Art is a copy of something. So, if you copy the copy of the copy of the copy, it just gets watered down — the quality — so you should learn the history of the cinema so that you can also bring something new to the table,' he said.
