Masakazu Hashimoto, a prominent director known for his work on the Shin Chan film series, is all set to bring the iconic character to India for his upcoming movie. He revealed that a personal motivation for this choice was the opportunity to visit India himself during the preparation phase.
Hashimoto shared during a recent visit to Delhi, “My first exposure to Indian cinema was the film *Muthu: The Dancing Maharaja* (starring Rajinikanth). Since then, I’ve felt that India would be a perfect setting for Shin Chan. I realized that if I brought him to India, I could also come here for location scouting!”
Having helmed numerous Shin Chan animated features, including those set in India like *The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers*, Hashimoto has a deep understanding of the character. When asked about Shin Chan’s immense popularity in the early 2000s and the subsequent criticism for its content, which led to toning down, Hashimoto explained that the character has indeed evolved significantly, even in Japan.
“I wasn’t aware of the specific censorship issues in India,” Hashimoto admitted. “However, Shin Chan has certainly changed over the years. In Japan, it’s less about censorship and more about regulations to ensure content is suitable for children. This is a good thing, as it’s about protection. As a father myself, I often tell my children not to mimic certain actions, like showing their behinds. Shin Chan is a hero to children, and they often copy everything he does. I believe these changes have been for the better.”
Reflecting on the animation industry, Hashimoto noted that while India has embraced international animation, its own animation films haven’t gained the same traction, with *Mahavtar Narsimha* being a recent exception. He attributed the success of Japanese anime to producers’ focus on global audiences and high-quality production values. “In India, audiences are open to various international content, including Japanese anime, and this receptiveness is key,” he added.