The Legendary KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU reviewing my work @ the Made In Asia 2025!!!! ✨
The Legendary KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU reviewed my work!
Meeting the great Japanese animator KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU.. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGH?
The Legendary KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU reviewing my work @ the Made In Asia 2025, March edition at the Brussels Expo!
It is a bit exaggerated, yes, I know ..but isn’t exaggeration a part of the 12 principles of animation? hehehe
I have been watching The Dragon Ball series show since I was a kid!
At that time, I was maybe 3-4 years old, I did not differentiate “anime” from cartoons. To me, all of it was what it used to be called: “dessins animés” , litterally “animated drawings” in French.
Dragon Ball was my favorite show
But still, Dragon Ball was my favorite show of them all!
And I said DRAGON BALL. Yes, when Goku was a kid, discovering the world thanks to his “nuage magique” -that’s how it was dubbed in French, literally meaning “magic cloud”.
Later on, I learned that in the English dub it was named “Flying Nimbus” though, its real Japanese name is: [ 筋斗雲 ] Kinto’un, (litterally “Somersault Cloud”) .
Growing up, between 6 to 8 years old, watching DBZ (Dragon Ball Z) grew that desire in me to reproduce what I was seeing.
From Batman, Spiderman to DBZ or even Ranma 1/2, I was drawn into animation without even knowing it. Of course, DragonBallZ was my main inspiration and anyone could tell it seeing my drawing at first sight.
I remember that feeling that I could not help it but spend my entire afternoons redrawing the Dragon Ball Z collection cards on A4 papers. It was all over my room!
I used to play soccer out with other kids too. But once I got home, it was all bout drawing and the at the evening, at 6:30pm sharp: WATCHiNG DRAGONBALL ON TV !!!
My mother had to force me to do my homework 1st, once I got home from school in order to get some discipline, otherwise I would draw and miss the school chapter I needed to study.
It was an obsession
As kids, my friends, my cousins and I, everything we were doing, or least most of it, was related to Dragon Ball at some point. Our heated discussions, our hot takes, our favorite character, favorite techniques, etc..
This obsession led me to hone my skills at drawing, to get interested in animation, martial arts movies, games, movies, etc
At that time, Japanese Animation was simply called “Japanimation”. The term “Anime” came to fashion later, if I recall correctly, it was by the early 2000s (I need to double check that though).
Thanks to Dragonball [and other impactful anime shows] we all learned now – pillar legendary names such as AKiRA TORiYAMA [may He Rest in Peace!] and the great animator KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU is one of them too! His works on the early stage of the adventures of Goku way to Dragon Bal GT is huge!
The character design research and works he did for DBZ movies and the notorious Goku SSJ4 for DBGT is incredible!
I always have been in admiration of his works, and later on, the way he approaches animation. This needs to be developed as a full article about him later!
Dragon Ball /Z/GT is the main inspiration that grew that taste in me for drawing character designs, animation, travelling, meeting people from new cultures, etc..
For which I am extremely grateful !
The Legendary KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU reviewing my work @ the Made In Asia 2025 is something that I was far from thinking it could be true one day, even meeting him was far from my mind.
Made In Asia Mars 2025: THE LOOP iS COMPLETE
So meeting a legendary Japanese animator, whose work ethic and dedication shaped my life and art skills is something positively overwhelming for me.
I COULD NOT HAVE MiSSED THAT CHANCE!
KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU even agreed to take a bit more time in order to check up my works. Yes, I brought my Android Tablet with me, just in case it was possible. At first I was doubtful that they would accept it to save time for the others in line waiting.
But they kindly agreed to do so. To me, showing my work, to HIM,.. showing my skills inspired by his work.. THiS is something to remember! The loop is complete in the sense that his work is heavily a part of my inspiration that shaped my current art skills.
When your work gets positive reception from the Legendary Japanese Animator: KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU!
..and ..“reviewing my work” .. I know it’s a bit of a stretch to say that, but hey, let me enjoy this moment hehehe !
PRiCELESS MOMENT with KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU
This short encounter was unique, magic and priceless!
Even though I was impressed and overwhelmed, I have been able to keep my composure and thank him properly in person.
Plus, I wrote some grateful things in the guess book 😉
Click here so that you can also watch the part I have been able to record and post on YouTube.
THANK YOU!
So..
Thank you to Brussels Capital of Belgium, Brussels Expo, The Made In Asia Team and any one involved in the organization, to make this kind of event possible!
Thank you KATSUYOSHi NAKATSURU for your life long work and for freeing your precious time for your admirators !
Also, and of course,
forever thank you AKiRA TORiYAMA for this life long work dedication, the positive impact you gave the world through your creations!
