Rebecca Sugar's Influences and Journey with Animation

Rebecca Sugar, a talented storyboarder, animator, songwriter, and director, discusses her relationship with animation and anime. Growing up with access to animation due to her father's profession as a graphic designer, she developed an understanding of animation as an art form created by artists. She had a fondness for Looney Tunes and NFB shorts, as well as a love for anime, particularly Studio Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke. Rebecca also had an interest in stop motion and independent animation. She highlights the influence of different artists on each other, both within and outside of the animation industry. Rebecca discusses her own process of creating and working on projects like Adventure Time and Steven Universe, emphasizing the collaborative nature of television animation. She draws inspiration from both Studio Ghibli and Satoshi Kon's works, appreciating their clear vision and attention to detail. Rebecca reflects on the beauty and meaning in Ghibli films like Whisper of the Heart and Princess Kaguya, as well as the deep impact they had on her. She also mentions the different styles and approaches to creating animation and expresses admiration for the craftsmanship and storytelling in jibbly films.