7 days ago
Ayaka Ohira: ‘Being outside of the traditional path gave me more freedom'
In addition to being a self-taught animator, Ayaka Ohira, 33, styles herself as a "gyaru" — a member of the irreverent Japanese fashion subculture known for gaudy, over-the-top makeup and plenty of attitude. 'Shinsei Galverse,' Ohira's independent anime series coproduced with Arch Inc. and animated by Studio S.o.K., was released on June 25.
1. What's the story of 'Shinsei Galverse'? There was once a beautiful, holy Mother Planet that sustained harmony in the galaxy. However, the end came suddenly. (Protagonist) Zero crash-lands on the war-torn planet Amatera with no memories and no idea who she is. She slowly discovers she's a cosmic being known as Galverse.
2. How long were you working on the anime? It has been roughly three years since launching 'Shinsei Galverse' in 2022 as a crowdfunded anime project. We began full-scale work on the script, character design and animation about two years ago, but the initial planning and search for the right studio started earlier.
3. How did seeing 'Shinsei Galverse' on the Shibuya billboards make you feel? Shibuya has always been a sacred place for me when it comes to gyaru culture, so seeing my characters there felt unreal.
4. Is gyaru style coming back? It's definitely getting attention. I see a new generation of kids reviving '90s gyaru fashion on TikTok and other social media. But for me, gyaru isn't just a trend, it's a way of life. So rather than say it's 'making a comeback,' I'd say it never really left.
5. What do you consider the heart and soul of gyaru? To me, it means living based on your own values, not other people's opinions. It's confidence in thinking, 'I can do this, I'm the strongest.' Anyone can be a gyaru, regardless of gender or age.
6. What inspired the '90s art style in 'Shinsei Galverse'? I grew up watching anime from the 1990s and 2000s, and I've always loved the hand-drawn textures and the raw energy. I also love anything that brings back that nostalgic feeling of childhood and I wanted to share that emotion with the audience.
7. How did you become an anime creator? I've always loved video and started out by experimenting with live-action projects. Since I also loved drawing from a young age, it felt natural to begin teaching myself animation as well. At first, I made music videos and cover art for musician friends — mostly unpaid — just to build a portfolio. Over time, I started getting more offers and before I knew it, I was fully immersed in the world of animation.
The 'Shinsei Galverse' universe is heavily inspired by late-20th-century anime styles as well as the gyaru (gal) fashion subculture that its creator proudly represents. |
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8. Can you tell us about the character you created for your music video for (Swedish musician) Tove Lo? Yes, the gal who appears in Tove Lo's music video is an original character I designed specifically for her. Her symbolic animal is the scorpion — which, fun fact, sometimes eats its mate after mating — so we incorporated that slightly risque allure into the story. The music video is structured as a crossover between 'Galverse' and Tove's own personal story.
9. Was it challenging to find an anime studio for 'Shinsei Galverse'? Yes, it was. This is a project built on crowdfunding and I wanted to keep the production process as open and transparent as possible. But many studios were cautious, both about that level of transparency and some of our demands about the art style and creative vision.
10. Why was it important to you to be open about the anime's production process? Since 'Shinsei Galverse' began as a crowdfunded project, I wanted our supporters to witness the creative process itself and to feel like they were part of making it with us.
11. The 'Shinsei Galverse' launch party also included dozens of drawings and sketches on the walls and tables. Is showing the process a trend now in response to AI-generated content? With AI-generated images becoming more widespread, people are increasingly asking, 'Was this really drawn by a human?' That's why I believe there's real value in showing the process: the thinking, the time and the human effort behind a piece of work. At the same time, I'm also genuinely interested in how AI can support and be integrated into creative work.
12. You dove into the world of NFTs with 'Shinsei Galverse.' Did that help you finance the project? Yes. Without the support we received through NFTs, it would've been difficult for an independent, self-taught creator like me to produce a full anime. NFTs not only helped us raise the funds, but also brought together a group of people who have supported the project from the very beginning. That sense of shared purpose and community has been just as meaningful as the funding itself.
13. Why didn't you pursue a more traditional job in the anime industry? To be honest, I'm not really sure! I've always lived an independent life. In my teens, I was living so much in the moment that I ended up dropping out of high school, and became fully focused on being a gyaru. I think being outside of the traditional path gave me more freedom.
14. Are there many other female anime creators in Japan? I'm not deeply familiar with the inner workings of the anime industry, but from what I see, there are still very few women in decision-making roles like directors or producers.
15. Do you have any role models? One creator who really inspired me to pursue animation seriously is Yoko Kuno. When I saw her 2013 graduation project 'Airy Me,' it completely blew me away. It made me realize that I wanted to create work that could move people's hearts through animation, just like she did.
16. Did you work with many women in making 'Shinsei Galverse'? Yes, the script was written by Natsuko Takahashi, a very experienced pro who has worked on the 'Gundam' franchise. While not all of the staff were women, the producer did a great job selecting people whose sensibilities matched the Galverse world perfectly. For background art, we worked with Ogura Kobo, a legendary studio known for 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell.' For the soundtrack, I asked Taku Takahashi from m-flo, whom I had worked with before.
17. The voice actor cast is pretty star-studded too. How did you get them on board? I had this dream of working with legendary voice actors from the 1990s and 2000s, but since 'Galverse' was still an unknown title, I honestly didn't expect it to happen. Still, I submitted my ideal casting list and, to my surprise, almost all of them said yes. I was completely shocked — in the best way.
18. How did the studio treat a young self-taught woman director? This was my first time being involved in a full TV anime production, so I was worried whether people would actually listen to what I had to say. But the staff were incredibly respectful and attentive. They truly took the time to understand the world I had created and the backstories of the characters. On top of that, they brought in thoughtful suggestions from their own professional perspectives, which helped make the story even better.
19. What are you working on next? Recently, I had the chance to give the Levi's flagship store in Harajuku a full Galverse makeover. I can't share the details just yet, but I'm lucky to have a few exciting collaborations in the works with some major companies. These include everything from merchandise and figurines to music-related projects.
20. Finally, if Tokyo itself were a character in 'Shinsei Galverse,' what kind of gal would it be? Tokyo would 100% be a tsundere — cool and unapproachable on the surface, but deep down she's full of passion and kindness, and every now and then, you catch glimpses of her softer side. She's not trying to be the main character, but her presence is just too strong, so she naturally stands out.
'Shinsei Galverse' is available to stream on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. For more information, visit
