Pacific Rim's Japanese influences: Paying homage to good old Mecha

Going through Twitter yesterday, I saw some tweets about Pacific Rim that was pointing out (complaining) how 'Japan' was not that too pronounced in the film. Given that the concept of humans piloting huge robots or mecha and battling monsters from the sea is straight off a Japanese show - whether anime or not. (Ultraman, Godzilla, Daimos, Evangelion and of course Voltes V- the list goes on and on.) 

Apparently even the presence of blue-streaked bad ass chick, Mako Mori was not enough for them. Yeah some people really need more of their Japanese fix. So for those of you who are still looking for that Japanese feel in the movie here are some things to get you going. 

The photo above is by Metal Gear artist Yoji Shinkawa who drew the poster for the Japanese RealD 3D release of Pacific Rim. In the illustration, Jaeger - Gypsy Danger is standing over a defeated Kaiju. 

Pacific Rim director Guillermo del Toro, personally asked Shinkawa to draw the poster. 

East meets West: Pacific Rim director Guillermo del Toro gives a 'Japan-Japan' with Metal Gear Artist Yoji Shinkawa. 

Here are Yoji Shinkawa's thoughts on Pacific Rim: 

"I have never imagined that I would be fortunate enough to see a film like this in all my life. The emotional rush I had inside me was the same kind I had when I felt outer space via '2001: A Space Odyssey' and when I touched a dinosaur in 'Jurassic Park'. Animation and special effects movies and shows that I loved in my childhood days - they all exist in the screen.

Director Guillermo del Toro offers this spectacular vision of massive kaijus and robots in Pacific Rim. This film is not simply a film to be respected, but most importantly, it lets us dream the future of entertainment movies. Pacific Rim is the ultimate otaku film that all of us have always been waiting for. Who are you, if you are Japanese and won't watch this? 

I hope you would accept this international love letter that had traveled across the Pacific, written by Director Guillermo del Torro. 

       

While here are other thoughts from well renowned Japanese personalities in the Japanese Animation world. 

Go Nagai, (Mazinger Z, Devilman, Cutey Honey) said "I was overwhelmed by the intense Kaiju Vs. giant robot action. It was fun!" 

Evangelion character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto has compared the film to a satisfying feast with the  the best prime cuts from Japanese tokusatsu (special effects) and anime.   

The video above is a special feature on the inspiration and design of the Jeagers (giant robots in the film). "I was very influenced by anime, the anime of my youth - Tetsujin 28. I really assembled a group of designers who really knew and loved anime." Says director Guilermo del Toro.  

Check out the video above and see the Japanese equation in Pacific Rim!