Summary
When fans watched Episode 151 ofMy Hero Academiaand saw Deku unleash Overdrive on Shigaraki, a not-insignificant portion of sakuga-savvy viewers might have thought it was animated by Yutaka Nakamura. After all, the legendary Studio Bones animator makes a habit of working on the series, but actually, it was the work of Kohei Hirota, a relative newcomer to the industry who anime fans would do well to remember.
Hirota first caught the eyes of audiences circa 2022, as a key animator on some major series throughout the year, most notablyOne Piece, which wasstill in the thick of the Wano Arc. He debuted as an animator on four episodes of the show that year, in between working onOne Piece Film: Red,Kingdom,Spy x Family,My Hero Academia, andChainsaw Man.
Kohei Hirota’s Meteoric Rise
The currentOne Pieceanime is awash with exceptional talent, and the Wano Arc was an unyielding showcase of these artists. Just last year,we covered the work of Akihiro Ota, an animator whose work led some in the community to hail him as one of the industry’s best. Similarly, it didn’t take long for fans to single out Hirota as a budding talent who was going places.
Check outthis cutfrom Episode 1026, and it’s not hard to see what they mean. For a newcomer with few cuts attributed to him at the time, this was quite an impressive display. Luffy’s clash with Kaido is accentuated by a blend of effects, from smoke to fire and especially lightning, without the cut becoming too cluttered. Strong effects work quickly became a hallmark of Hirota’s cuts, as helater popped up inOshi no Ko, theBlack Clovermovie,Jujutsu KaisenSeason 2, and more.
In late 2022, Hirota worked onMy Hero AcademiaSeason 6, where he animatedthis cutfrom Episode 121, an opportunity he was honored to receive. He became a returning animator on the series, and his work has continued to amaze in the currently airing Season 7 as well as therecently released fourth film,My Hero Academia: You’re Next.
Dissecting Hirota’s Flashy Style
The word that comes to mind easiest when describing this young man’s work is “lightning.” Hirota’s skill at creating mind-blowing effects is at its most potent when expressed through the use of the iconic “Kutsuna lightning,” the technique named after animator Kenichi Kutsuna. Inthis cutfrom One Piece #1028, Hirota gets especially creative with the effect. Between the zigzagging electricity forming kanji, to the sheer visual onslaught before the impact, it’s an immaculate sight.
InJujutsu KaisenSeason 2, Hirota animatedone of Aoi Todo’s most spectacular momentswhen he switches places with the debris Yuji throws at Mahito. It’s a shamethe TV version has so much ghosting/dimming, because the Blu-ray version,seen here, really captures his range as an animator. His ability to convey such superhuman speed through wind and fire effects - as well as more abstract visual tricks - makes for a scene that is equal parts awesome and absurd.
Learning From Anime’s Best
The lessons learned from other projects have been reflected in his work onMy Hero Academia, where he’s noticeably been given the freedom to go bigger over time. It helps that he has worked alongside some of the best animators in the business. In a post abouthis contributions toYou’re Next, he talks about working under Yutaka Nakamura, Yuki Hayashi, and Shū Sugita (search for any of their names on YouTube and you will have pretty animation to look at for hours).
For some context as to how impressive Hirota’s ascent in the industry is, he was in his third year of high school when the previousMy Hero Academiafilm -World Heroes Mission- was released. In the three years since then, he debuted onOne Pieceduring one of its most acclaimed arcs in ages and contributed to some of the biggest anime within that span. He has even worked as an apprentice to Nakamura, who many still hail as one of the greatest animators of all time.
With that fact well understood, it’s no wonder people find Hirota’s cut fromMy Hero Academia#151 (seen above as well asright here) so reminiscent of Nakamura. It’s such a bold fusion of smooth character acting and dazzling effects work that sticks with the viewer for hours after the episode concludes. The impact frames alone bring back memories of Nakamura’s work onOne Punch Manorthe insanity that wasConcrete Revolutio. Plus, side-by-side, it feels like an homage to Deku vs Overhaul from Season 4.
Is This Kid The Next Nakamura?
It’s tempting to look at Kohei Hirota’s ever-evolving portfolio and see the makings of a new legend in the vain of Yutaka Nakamura.His recent cutfromOne Piece#1100 alone carries a lot of the nuances people attribute to Nakamura’s style. Take note of how Luffy’s body moves and how much weight is conveyed as he pounds his chest or observe how the effects are animated. Then compare it tothis cutby Nakamura from Mob Psychoand you have an idea how one influenced the other.
At the same time, it would feel hasty to lump him together with one as highly regarded as Nakamura. And that’s not because the comparison is without ground, but rather because it’s an unbelievably high bar. What makes Hirota’s story so inspiring is the humility with which he has expressed a desire to grow and learn more. In the process of pouring over his portfolio for this piece, his words regarding the craft are as earnest and moving as his animation.
What Makes Kohei Hirota Worth Paying Attention To?
Ever since his first cut onMy Hero Academia, he has always expressed immense gratitude to his peers, as well as promised to learn and do better the next time. Even as he has undoubtedly met that promise over the years, he continues to aim higher.In the wake of Episode 151, he expressed some regret that he wasn’t able to be more like Nakamura, for which he received an outpouring of love from the community, who assured him that his work was appreciated for what it was.
The anime industry is one that traditionally has thrived on hierarchy, yet over the last decade, it has seen more and more young talent explode onto the scene, less burdened by said hierarchy. As styles, tastes, and the landscape of the medium as a whole change, there are sometimes fears about its future - both how it will innovate, but also how it will preserve traditions. When fans look at Kohei Hirota, one could say they see the future of the anime. Ultimately, whether he becomes “the new Nakamura” or something completely different, that future looks pretty good.
