The weekly column by Michihiko Suwa, the Yomiuri TV producer
July 20, 2004 Original Japanese text

Many persons as well as directors and voice actors/actresses are working for anime programs. I want to introduce the various people's works in order. First of all, please talk about my work, the executive producer.

One of the important anime producer's weekly works is a scenario meeting. In the meeting, I discuss a scenario of an episode which is scheduled to air after half year with a director and a scenario writer, and I comment on the draft written by the scenario writer and revise ideas of a case and a trick Because the anime staff members can communicate with one another and understand what ideas and opinions the other members have about the work, the meeting is very valuable. It takes as long as six months to complete one episode after the decision of the script due to many processes.

We use sometimes a meeting room in Yomiuri TV, and sometimes a coffee shop outside the company for the meetings. But when we discuss a murder case of Detective Conan (Case Closed) in a coffee shop, we get worried about how other people around us is regarding us. Because we are seriously saying, "People won't die from such things." in a loud voice. I suppose there are some persons being surprised to hear our talk.

Another important work is to observe voice recordings. Since it is crucial to record voice actors/actresses' performance in timing to animations. In this process, I check in detail if no inappropriate word is spoken and there is no problem to display this episode on TV.

I have been an anime program producer since January 1986. At first, I felt anxious if I could produce a good anime because though I loved manga I was not well versed in anime, so that I learned scenario writing. My works has been set on way since the time I came to be able to understand and sense true values of anime works, around 1988, I tackled City Hunter. I think the work of an anime producer is similar to a navigator since an anime producer works as a bridge to support staff members and facilitate their works. It is a difficult work. But when we can create an excellent anime through the good teamwork, I am very happy. My goal is to make a work which impacts on the world.

In another time, I will introduce the other staffers' works.