YAMAGATA, Japan - Keishi Otomo, director of the "Rurouni Kenshin" live-action films adapted from the manga series of the same name, and Japanese actor Tetsuya Bessho have been named as visiting professors at a university in Japan's northeastern region of Tohoku.
It is hoped that the two, who were appointed in April by Tohoku University of Art and Design in Yamagata, capital of Yamagata Prefecture, will impart practical skills and techniques in film production to students and foster a new generation of talent from local areas capable of succeeding on the global stage.
They were appointed to primarily teach in the university's newly established film creation course within its film department.
Otomo, who directed the global hit about a former assassin who vowed never to kill again, has studied in the United States and will teach contemporary directing techniques and Hollywood-style action filming methods.
Bessho, who has appeared in both Japanese and Hollywood films, has already begun teaching activities.
Having been involved in nurturing young talent as the founder of the "Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia," an international short film festival, Bessho draws on his own acting experience to teach expressive techniques for the camera.
The two expressed excitement about meeting new students in a press release by the university.
Otomo indicated that opportunities for young filmmakers were increasing at an unprecedented rate due to the growth of major streaming services such as Netflix. "It is by no means a pipe dream to take on the world," he said.
"From Tohoku to the world! I am excited," said Bessho, who was approached along with Otomo by course director Takayuki Hayakawa about becoming visiting professors.
Hayakawa himself has worked at public broadcaster NHK and commercial broadcaster Fuji Television, and has experience working on projects such as the live-action adaptation of the manga series "The Silent Service" for Amazon Prime Video.
He has described Otomo and Bessho as "reliable creators with expertise in both domestic and international film production."
