Difference between revisions of "Ueda Yasuyuki"
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| − | '''Ueda Yasuyuki''' (上田 耕行) is the producer | + | '''Ueda Yasuyuki''' (上田 耕行) is the producer of ''Serial Experiments Lain''. He stylizes his name as yasuyuki ueda and is sometimes credited as Production 2nd. He came up with the original concept and story for the [[game]] and the [[anime]] and enlisted the aid of other staff members, [[Konaka Chiaki]], [[Nakamura Ryuutarou]], and [[ABe Yoshitoshi]]. |
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==The Infamous Interview== | ==The Infamous Interview== | ||
| − | In a 1999 ''Animerica Magazine'' interview of Ueda, | + | In a 1999 ''Animerica Magazine'' interview of Ueda, Konaka, and Nakamura, he made some ambiguous and controversial statements regarding the [[anime]]. The introductory paragraph of the article states, "While all three agree on certain points of ''Lain's'' production and design, each are beholden to different interpretations of the show's philosophy and what it means to them individually... Producer Yasuyuki Ueda states that ''Lain'' is an attack against American values." |
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| − | "While all three agree on certain points of ''Lain's'' production and design, each are beholden to different interpretations of the show's philosophy and what it means to them individually... Producer Yasuyuki Ueda states that ''Lain'' is an attack against American values." | ||
| − | However, reading the interview questions and Ueda's responses quickly reveals that the previous quote takes great liberties with paraphrasing, resulting in a | + | However, reading the interview questions and Ueda's responses quickly reveals that the previous quote takes great liberties with paraphrasing, resulting in a misrepresentation of his statements. In the interview, he gives two responses that deal directly with the interpretation or meaning of ''Lain'': |
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
Q: How would you describe the concept of ''Lain''? What is the story you're trying to tell?<br> | Q: How would you describe the concept of ''Lain''? What is the story you're trying to tell?<br> | ||
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Note that both of these responses were prompted by questions concerning American audiences, and not questions concerning the meaning of ''Lain''. They seem to be more about Ueda's perception of American entertainment than his interpretation of ''Lain''. In no other interview does he mention subversion of American entertainment values as part of the show's purpose or meaning. | Note that both of these responses were prompted by questions concerning American audiences, and not questions concerning the meaning of ''Lain''. They seem to be more about Ueda's perception of American entertainment than his interpretation of ''Lain''. In no other interview does he mention subversion of American entertainment values as part of the show's purpose or meaning. | ||
| − | The article can be viewed [http://www.cjas.org/~leng/pubs.htm here.] | + | The article can be viewed [http://www.cjas.org/~leng/pubs.htm here.] More interviews of Ueda and other creators are [http://www.cjas.org/~leng/interview.htm here.] |
[[Category:Staff]] | [[Category:Staff]] | ||
Revision as of 05:13, 1 June 2014
Ueda Yasuyuki (上田 耕行) is the producer of Serial Experiments Lain. He stylizes his name as yasuyuki ueda and is sometimes credited as Production 2nd. He came up with the original concept and story for the game and the anime and enlisted the aid of other staff members, Konaka Chiaki, Nakamura Ryuutarou, and ABe Yoshitoshi.
The Infamous Interview
In a 1999 Animerica Magazine interview of Ueda, Konaka, and Nakamura, he made some ambiguous and controversial statements regarding the anime. The introductory paragraph of the article states, "While all three agree on certain points of Lain's production and design, each are beholden to different interpretations of the show's philosophy and what it means to them individually... Producer Yasuyuki Ueda states that Lain is an attack against American values."
However, reading the interview questions and Ueda's responses quickly reveals that the previous quote takes great liberties with paraphrasing, resulting in a misrepresentation of his statements. In the interview, he gives two responses that deal directly with the interpretation or meaning of Lain:
Q: How would you describe the concept of Lain? What is the story you're trying to tell?
Ueda: As I said before, it's not like I wanted to communicate something. It's more like a private work. It's more like an experiment about the relationships between one individual self and the masses.
And later:
Q: Does the series have a "message"?
Ueda: The message is, Things are simple.
Note that neither of these responses have anything to do with American values.
He makes two responses that have to do with his expectations for American viewers' reception of the show:
Q: What do you think American viewers will think of the series? Do you think they will have the same reactions as Japanese audiences?
Ueda: They won't understand this. I don't want them to understand this. This work is based on the sensitivity and values of the Japanese people. America is different from Japan. This work itself is a sort of cultural war against American culture and the American sense of values we adopted after WW II. So I want American people to react to this work.
(...)
Q: Do you have any special message for American fans of the series?
Ueda: Are there any American fans? I really can't imagine there is one. If there are any, I can't imagine why they think it's good. But if there were one, I'm a little happy.
Note that both of these responses were prompted by questions concerning American audiences, and not questions concerning the meaning of Lain. They seem to be more about Ueda's perception of American entertainment than his interpretation of Lain. In no other interview does he mention subversion of American entertainment values as part of the show's purpose or meaning.
The article can be viewed here. More interviews of Ueda and other creators are here.
