Kiyoshi Kohatsu's work investigates the nuances of life through the use of cartoons and animation emphasizing the symbiotic nature of animation in today's digital media. Kohatsu explores cartoon characters as motifs to describe the idea of imaginary self. Sometimes using pencil and paper, digital ink and paint on canvas, non-linear narratives and slow-motion images, he creates meditative environments that suggest the expansion of animation as a form of modern art.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Pooh 80th anniversary promo for Mobile

This is an edit of a number of CG animated shorts I was assigned to create while at Disney Japan. The shorts were made as original mobile content (as opposed to re-purposed content).
This edit was made to commemorate The Bear's 80th anniversary.
One of the shorts "Happy Pooh Day" was nominated as best mobile content at MIPCOM 2005 in Cannes, France.
My role: I wrote the stories, scenarios and supervised all creative (animation + art direction) and production aspects.

Pooh 80th anniversay promo for Mobile from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

AMIGO MAIGO (Flash Animation)


AMIGO MAIGO from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

In 2003 I was part of a collective called "General Films". This video is a promo made for a show we developed entitled "Maigo" which means "Lost" in Japanese.
I thought the title should change to AMIGO MAIGO a play with the position of the letters and also a mini homage to my latino and Japanese roots.
Hope you like it. Cheers.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Double Twist (Flash Animation)

DoubleTwist VS Apple from Remo Camerota on Vimeo.


Flash Animation: I collaborated in this project made by Whitewall Studios, mixed with live action processed using After Effects. Client: Double Twist (US)
I directed and animated the girl and soldiers, characters which I designed based on concepts by Remo Camerota.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Animation 2002 - 2003

Animation done at Carbunkle Cartoons in 2002~2003 from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.


These are some scenes I worked on at Carbunkle Cartoons back in 2002-2003

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Disney Character Costume Design


Art Direction: Character + Costume Design from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

Besides supervising the modelling of these characters, I also designed and art directed the new costumes they wear.

Director TV AD: Enchanted


Enchanted (TV Commercial AD) from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

Enchanted is a TV Commercial AD I directed during my tenure at Liquid Animation in Australia. Made for the Singapore Garden Festival 2008.

Animation Director: Disney Mobile


Disney Mobile Theatre Presentation from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

Edit made from animated series I directed and developed for Walt Disney Mobile Theatre in Japan (2004-2008) The series were mainly CG.
My role is these series included: Original ideas and concept, scrip and scenario writing, storyboard direction, design + animation direction, sound and music supervision, schedule and budget book keeping.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Animator Showreel 1


Animation Showreel 1996~2003 from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

This is a collage of some animation jobs I'd worked on.
Ads for Converse, Comedy Central, YTV, and Character animation for Ren & Stimpy Adult Swing plus a couple of pitch ads for Levi's and Much Music.

"THE DOLL" a short film by Kiyoshi Kohatsu


The DOLL from Kiyoshi Kohatsu on Vimeo.

A short film.
A man makes a voodoo doll of his likeness so he can give himself massages. But things don't go as planned.

Written, animated and directed by Kiyoshi Kohatsu.