The Best of Masahiro Shimanuki

DragonBalllKaiHD · Post by **DragonBalllKaiHD** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 8:36 pm

This thread focuses solely on Masahiro Shimanuki as a key animator and animation supervisior. I think now is an excellent time to bring it up since the animation in general has recieved some gauging interest in the forums lately, since the discussion is quite active right now. As you already know, Shimanuki is a veteran animator for the Dragon Ball franchise dating back to his debut in Dragon Ball Z Episode #68, which would be in 1990. He used to work for Seigasha along with Kayuza Hisada, Tomekichi Takeuchi, and Naoki Tate. Seigasha is known for having a lot of action specialists. In many people's mind, there's no doubt that he was a very talented key animator. His strength lies in some incredible key animation revolving around intense battles in some interesting angles. He was certainly on model, but he was also far from Toriyama's style, which is nice. He did a lot of important moments in the Dragon Ball series, and ironically, he was a part of the team that did key animation for the final episode of Dragon ball GT under Hisada's supervision.

I've always appreciated his dedicated contribution to the series and gave us the best episodes possible. His choreography has always been pleasant to watch. Son Goku versus Dark Prince Vegeta, anyone?

Although he didn't do a lot of episodes, you could see his impact throughout the Seigasha studio. You can be see that by watching closely how each key animator in the studio draws key frames in certain episodes. Seigasha is known to utilize each key animator to their strength and would rotate the role of supervisor based on the episodes' needs.

Shimanuki has been in a little bit of decline. Nevertheless he has returned to the franchise to be the role of animation supervisior for Dragon Ball Super. He's getting his art style back little by little, but his choreography has been lacking somewhat.

How do you feel about Shimanuki as a key animator and supervisor for the franchise?

Retan · Post by **Retan** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:40 pm

Didn't realize he drew those parts, some of my favorites from the series. Always loved the Goku and Vegeta Vs. Buuhan before they became Vegeto, and think it some of the best filler in the entire series.

Michsi · Post by **Michsi** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:44 am

I haven't seen his work in Super so I can't really comment on that, but judging from your DBZ examples , yeah , a damn fine key animator and the franchise was lucky to have him

Was he in DB too or did he start with Z ?

JulieYBM · Post by **JulieYBM** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:52 am

Shimanuki wwas in both. All animators credits are in the production guide and episode guide.

Vijay · Post by **Vijay** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:10 am

His works rank as da best

Like in DB, Episode 143: Goku vs Piccolo Jr

In DBZ, Ep 4: Goku & Piccolo vs Raditz

Ep 268: Goku & Vegeta vs Buuhan

His drawings flings at your face like rubber-band, but stays mostly on-model

The artstyle is soft & over-arching (akin to Toriyama) as well.

Though I'd say exccesive workload in Buu Arc must've burned him out.

Like from episode 222 onwards (till freakin 231) his drawings were prevalent in almost every episode, bar a few.

It wasnt until Ep 268 onwards that his works pop again.

The workload definetly took a hit in his artwork.

Like Ep 231 for instance. The Goku vs Majin Vegeta brawl lacked the required "oomph" you associate with Shimanuki Mashashiro.

However Ep 232, done by Tadayoshi Yamamuro gave a eternal "badass" moment for Goku/Majin Vegeta

Lord Beerus · Post by **Lord Beerus** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 12:21 pm

Shimanuki Masahiro was a great key animator and I find his work in the Cell arc his best and some of the best the franchise has offered over in terms of animation. His work in the Majin Boo arc, especially for the SSJ2 Goku/Majin Vegeta skirmish is quite good, too.

DarkPrince_92 · Post by **DarkPrince_92** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 4:55 pm

Def one of my top 5 favorites in the series. Nowadays... eh. Not as much impact. Might be age, might be something else... you never know.

JazzMazz · Post by **JazzMazz** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:13 am

Masahiro Shimanuki used to be one of the best animators from Siegasha, in my opinion being only second to Kazuya Hisada. I think you did a really good job at expressing why his work on the series was really good, so I'll just post the best stuff he did on the franchise as well as some honourable mentions, before comparing it to his work in Super.
Z highlights
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