NHK’s “ANIME MANGA EXPLOSION” to Feature Bones Studio on September 28th, Exploring “My Hero Academia” and “Gachiakuta”

“ANIME MANGA EXPLOSION” is NHK’s documentary series focusing on the behind-the-scenes of popular Japanese manga and anime. It explores the creative process through in-depth interviews with the creators.

The episode airing on September 28, 2025, will feature animation studio Bones. It will highlight the production of “My Hero Academia” and “Gachiakuta,” and include interviews with legendary animator Yutaka Nakamura, known for his iconic work in Bones productions, alongside other talented creators.

Behind the Scenes: “My Hero Academia” and “Gachiakuta” Production

 

NHK World JAPAN’s English-language documentary series, ANIME MANGA EXPLOSION, offers in-depth interviews with creators to explore their creative processes and artistic dedication, delving into popular Japanese manga and anime.

On September 28th, ANIME MANGA EXPLOSION will present a special episode on Bones, an anime studio established in 1998. Bones has produced over 70 anime works, including series and films, and is celebrated by anime fans around the world for its visually stunning, cool, and sometimes spectacularly dynamic action scenes.

This episode will feature the television debut of legendary animator Yutaka Nakamura, known for creating numerous iconic scenes in Bones’ productions. The program will revisit Nakamura’s past action scenes, accompanied by exclusive behind-the-scenes materials. He will provide detailed insights into the animation process for the pivotal battle between Deku and Shoto Todoroki in the second season of “My Hero Academia,” a fan-favorite scene, and discuss the climactic sword-fighting sequence in “Sword of the Stranger,” revealing the secrets behind his captivating action choreography. The episode will also explore Nakamura’s creative philosophy, including his commitment to “always seeking new expressions that surpass previous work.”

This program offers an exclusive look behind the scenes of “My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON” and “Gachiakuta.”

For “Gachiakuta,” viewers will witness the animation process of mecha anime maestro Yasushi Kimura, highlighting his professional techniques for creating dynamic action sequences. The “My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON” segment shines a light on the crucial, yet often overlooked, work of setting creation, providing a deeper appreciation for the expansive world of the long-running series.

The program also features passionate discussions with directors Naomi Nakayama (My Hero Academia) and Fumihiko Suganuma (Gachiakuta) as they share their creative visions.

Additionally, the show includes interviews with Masahiko Minami, representative of BONES, and Yoshihiro Oyabu, representative of the newly established BONES Films (founded in 2024). They delve into BONES’ enduring commitment to “creative freedom” in their productions and how this philosophy is being carried forward.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to glimpse BONES’ animation production and these insightful interviews! For those unable to watch the broadcast, free video-on-demand will be available starting the day after the initial airing.

Program Information

 

[Broadcast Schedule]

Sunday, September 28, 2025, on NHK World JAPAN

On 12:10, 18:10, 23:10, and 05:10 of the following Monday (in JST)

*Program length is 28 minutes, broadcast 4 times

*From the day after the broadcast, the program will be available for free VOD viewing on the NHK World JAPAN website.

*For ways to watch, please check the NHK World JAPAN program viewing guide: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/howto/

[Featuring] Masahiko Minami, Yoshihiro Oyabu, Yutaka Nakamura, Yasushi Kimura, Naomi Nakayama, Fumihiko Suganuma, Ayaka Matsuyama

[Narrator] Michael Turpin

[Program Website] https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/anime_manga/

*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation