Kara Dennison
January 25, 2025 
In ZENSHU, an animator finds herself transported into the world of her favorite childhood anime. With her powers of art, she can bring anything to life… in exchange for a (very) long rest. While Natsuko Hirose is unique for being an isekai‘d animator, she’s not the first animator to lead her own anime!
As you wait for new episodes, check out this trio of series all about the hard work animators put in and the worlds they create.
Keep Your Hands off Eizouken!
While they may not go to literal other worlds as in ZENSHU, the girls of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! are constantly creating immersive worlds in their minds. The trio of high school students want to create, and their “film appreciation club” helps them do just that.
With Asakusa’s concept art, Mizusaki’s characters, and Kanamori’s business knowledge, the three work together to make their dreams come true. And, much as with this season’s most unusual isekai, their imagination is rendered in unique ways on the screen in front of us. It’s a beautiful piece from Science SARU that shows what it takes to follow your dreams.
SHIROBAKO
While ZENSHU focuses on what one animator can do, SHIROBAKO expands out to include all parts of anime production. This series from P.A. Works centers on Aoi, once a member of her school’s animation club and now working as a production assistant. As it happens, her four closest friends have followed her—working as an animator, 3D artist, writer, and voice actress.
This particular take on the animation industry is more grounded in real-world responsibilities, following the production of two different series (an original and a manga adaptation). While the TV series is a bit tough to find at the moment, the movie is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Animation Runner Kuromi
The heroine of ZENSHU is a well-regarded animator and director, but everyone has to start somewhere. The star of Animation Runner Kuromi, for example, is a Production Desk Manager. What does that entail? Mostly running around and gathering up the animators’ key frames as they’re done. Or, in some cases, convincing them to finish those frames.
Each outing requires Mikiko Oguro (or “Kuromi”) to learn how to motivate Studio Petit’s many artists. The hurried work is all in aid of her dream to become part of the anime industry. But the longer she works with Studio Petit, the more she learns about the issues at the heart of that industry. For example, is speed or quality more important? Sadly, Animation Runner Kuromi is hard to get hold of these days. But if you can, it’s a delightful short watch.
