What makes Japan’s movies, anime, and games so globally influential, and so different from Hollywood?

From “Godzilla Minus One” — which won an Academy Award for visual effects — to the iconic works of Hayao Miyazaki and Super Mario Bros., Japan’s entertainment industry has captivated audiences worldwide. But how are these works actually created?

In this lecture on movies, anime and video games, Hiro Niihara, a senior policy leader and adviser to Japan’s Prime Minister, offers rare, behind-the-scenes insights drawn from decades of direct conversations with creators. He will reveal how Japanese production processes differ from Hollywood, how creativity is cultivated and why these industries continue to thrive globally.

He will also explore the cultural significance of Comic Market, often called the “holy land of otaku,” and what it reveals about Japan’s creative ecosystem.

This public lecture series is organized by the Peter F. Cowhey Center on Global Transformation at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). For more information on center activities, please visit ccgt.ucsd.edu.