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Nissan Gets Animated -Two concept cars feature in "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex"
In a rare collaborative event between an animation studio and an automaker, a full-length feature will introduce animated versions of two concept vehicles - The Nissan Sport Concept and Infiniti Kuraza. The Sport Concept, unveiled at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, and Infiniti Kuraza, shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, are driven by Section 9's team members.
Nissan's creativeness has trickled down to the cult-like world of Japanese animation. Its futuristic concept cars fit perfectly in this full-length animated science fiction feature "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society," produced by Production I.G, a major Japanese animation studio. The film will air in Japan in autumn and also be available on DVD at that time. The film will be available on DVD in the US and Europe in 2007.
"This film is more than a simple combination of our animation with Nissan concept cars; it's the first full-scale collaboration by the creative people in both companies," said Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, president of Production I.G. "The zealous effort by our highly motivated creators, from the director right down the staff roster is noticeable in the film. Take a close look at the cars in the film. I'll bet you find them every bit as cool as the actual cars."
The Sport Concept is a three-door hatchback with a full-custom look to appeal to younger drivers. The dynamic shape of the car's fenders and spoilers, as well as its large wheels, evoke the supercars of video games. Infiniti Kuraza is designed for total comfort for six people and suggests new directions for sport utility vehicles. The car's luxurious interior combines traditional Japanese design principles, natural materials and state-of-the-art technology.
"This is a revolutionary collaboration made possible by direct exchanges between both young and more experienced creative talents from both companies and is different from product placement," said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's senior vice president and chief creative officer. "Japanese animation is being taken more seriously as art every year around the world, and the concept cars in this film are rendered with particularly high quality; they're just wonderful. We hope that besides contributing to a great film experience, these very exciting images will bring the Nissan brand to a new spectrum of customers."
"Ghost in the Shell" is a series based on the graphic novel of the same title by Shirow Masamune. The novel was animated for movie theaters as "Ghost in the Shell" in 1995 by director Mamoru Oshii, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard US video chart the following year. It has since influenced many Hollywood movies, including "The Matrix," directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski. The studio also produced the animation sequence of Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill: Vol. 1."
To commemorate the "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" collaboration between Production I.G. and Nissan, Nissan will hold a special public exhibition at the Nissan Gallery in Tokyo. (NMPI News Service)
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