2006 - 2009 | Japan |
Comedy, Short animation series

Written and Directed by Satoshi Tomioka
Produced by Kanaban Graphics

“Usavich (ウサビッチ) (from Japanese うさぎ "usagi", rabbit, with "vich" giving it faux Russian flavor) is a series of animated short films being produced for MTV Japan by Kanaban Graphics since 2006. The Usavich anime revolves around two rabbits, Putin and Kierenenko and their adventures in a Soviet prison. A collection of episodes that showcase their hilarious misadventures as they work around being stuck in Prison and with each other, and as they make their escape and try to avoid the fearsome Soviet bunnies hot on their trail!

Official site: http://www.usavich.info/

Post Screening Dialogue with Satoshi Tomioka
30min

Satoshi Tomioka's work is defined by his inimitable style, which has attracted widespread interest in both Japan and Europe. A graduate of Tokyo's University of Technology, Tomioka's career started at Dream Pictures Studio. It was the daily commute on crowded Tokyo trains that inspired him to turn his hand to directing and resulted in the creation of 'Sink', his first film, shortly followed by 'Coin Laundry'. In 2002 Tomioka was commissioned by Wieden & Kennedy to direct his first commercial 'OK factory' for Honda. Later that year Tomioka established 'Kanaban Graphics', his Tokyo based studio which created 'USAVICH', the popular animated series shown on MTV Japan.

During his talk, Mr Tomioka would share with the audience his experience as an animator, the establishment of Kanaban Graphics, and his inspiration behind the creation of the USAVICH series.

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