Some Shibazaki trivia
I was reading through the Ultimate Artbook interviews again because I remembered reading something cute about Shibazaki and thought I’d post it for Shibazaki’s Day.
This is from an interview with ZNT’s Chief Animation Director: Kazuto Nakazawa.
Kazuto Nakazawa: There is an actor who played Mugen in Samurai Champloo, also by Mr Watanabe. Shibazaki is the image of him as an older mar. Because it is I who drew them, they can get similar. So I thought, let them be connected, and made his eyebrow with a cut just like the character in Samurai Champloo. Also when I was drawing the setting of Kurahashi, I thought a lot about his background story.
Interviewer: What is it like?
Nakazawa: Shibazaki and Kurahashi are classmates from highschool. They went to different universities but reunited at the police academy. Shibazaki was a member of the Kendo club, although he never attended the practice sessions. He was popular with girls but never bragged about it. Kurahashi belonged to the Judo club and was never popular with girls. People thought Kurahashi looked older whereas Shibazaki looked younger.
Interviewer: They are totally opposite but are good friends.
Nakazawa: Yes. And Shibazaki’s wife pushed him and cornered him into marrying her.