6th Kobe Animation Awards Announced

Although the actual awards ceremony for the 6th Annual Kobe Animation Awards won’t be held until next month, the recipients have already been announced to the public.

The prizes are awarded to exceptional achievement in the Japanese animation industry between September 2000 and August 2001, focused on animation works and the individuals involved in those productions.

This year’s lucky winners are:

Individual Award: Hiroyuki Kitakubo (director of “Blood”)

Best Theatrical Feature: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (“Spirited Away”)

Best TV Series: Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer

Best Computer Game Project: Grand Turismo 3

Best Computer Game Networked Project: Phantasy Star Online

Best Audio Recording: W-Infinity (CD single by Hironobu Kageyama and Hitomi Mieno; Mieno performed the opening song of I My Me! Strawberry Egg, “Dearest”)

Special Achievement Award: Kunio Okawara (mecha designer for MS Gundam, Gatchaman, Daiturn III, etc.)

Source: Production I.G.