Welcome to our in-depth interview with Ryan Russell, the indie creator behind the captivating world of ULTIMATE MECHA. Dive with us into the inspirations, challenges, and aspirations that shaped this unique anime vision.”
But before we dive in ourselves in the world of ‘ULTIMATE MECHA’, Let’s give a big thanks to the awesome team that’s making ‘ULTIMATE MECHA’ come to life!
Full CAST List
Marisa Duran – Zane
Chelsea Krause – Xora
Cody Savoie – Lex
Phil Ava – Mick
Marlon Dance Hooi – Jett
Gerald Hill – Doc
Mark Masterton – Renny
Ryan Russell – Axon
Introductory Questions
Brief Overview: Can you give us a brief overview of what “ULTIMATE MECHA” is about?
Answer:
Inspired by Japanese anime, Ultimate Mecha is a brand-new animated show that uniquely blends Mecha action with Slice of Life storylines, creating a series that is at once pulse-pounding, heartwarming, and totally unlike anything you’ve seen before. The
show centers on Xora, a powerful cyborg who wakes from a cryofreeze pod into the strange and dangerous city of Ion Zero. With missing memories and deadly androids hunting her down, Xora embarks on an epic quest to retrace her past and discover who she once was. With her new robot friend, Jett, by her side, she must learn to master her bionic powers, confront the dark secrets of her past, and become the ultimate hero that Ion Zero needs!
A first look at the world of ULTIMATE MECHA
2. Inspiration:
What was the inspiration behind creating this universe and its characters?
Answer:
I’ve always been into mecha anime. Shows like “Neon Genesis” and “Akira” were my jam growing up. And Studio Ghibli movies? Love them. Their characters are so real and relatable. That’s what I want for “ULTIMATE MECHA”. I want fans to really get to know the characters and see them grow.
For more insights into the world of anime, check out our Anime World section.
3. Development Time:
How long has this project been in development?
I started jotting down ideas for “ULTIMATE MECHA” about 10 months back. At that time, I was also working on another short film, “YAMA”. But once that wrapped up, I knew I wanted to dive deep into this mecha project. After some brainstorming and chats with our director, Luke Beatrice, things started taking shape. It’s been a wild ride!
The evolution of character designs in ULTIMATE MECHA
4. Kickstarter Motivation:
What motivated you to launch a Kickstarter campaign for it?
Answer:
From my past projects, I learned that making animations isn’t cheap. Especially when you’re thinking of an 11-minute episode. So, I thought, why not get the anime community involved? That’s why we’re going for a Kickstarter. We need all the support we can get.
5. The Team: Can you tell us about the team working on “ULTIMATE MECHA”?
Answer:
Our team? Oh, they’re awesome! We’ve got artists and animators from all over. Denise Destri Bacic, our lead animator, has even worked in Japan on some cool animes. And our voice actors, Marisa Duran and Cody Savoie, have done stuff for Crunchyroll. They’ve been part of big names like “Hells Paradise” and “One Piece
Creative Dive
6. Character Coffee Break:
If Xora could sit down for a cup of coffee with any character from another series, who would it be?
Answer:
If Xora had to grab coffee with someone? I’d say Gohan from “Dragon Ball Z”. She’s always been into superheroes, and Gohan’s flying skills? She’d totally geek out over that
7. A Day in Ion Zero
How would you imagine a typical day in Ion Zero when there’s no crisis?
Answer
A typical day in Ion Zero? Think flying bikes zipping around and big robots strolling the streets. At night, the city’s got this cool neon glow that lights up everything. It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie. People use flying trains to get around, and their jobs? Way easier thanks to all the cool tech. And the best part? Humans and cyborgs, they all hang out together in Ion Zero. It’s a place where anything can happen.
8. Ion Zero Holidays: If the characters were to celebrate a holiday in Ion Zero, what would it be like?
Answer:
If Ion Zero celebrated Halloween, it would be a delightful blend of the old and the new. Jett, our knowledge droid, would regale the main characters with tales of ancient festivities. And amidst this, Zane, ever the mischievous delinquent, would don a werewolf costume, brandishing a space blaster, much to Xora’s chagrin and amusement.”
9. Fan Involvement
How can fans get involved or contribute to the success of “ULTIMATE MECHA”?
Answer: Oh, and if you back us on Kickstarter? We’ve got some cool stuff lined up. Think digital wallpapers, anime soundtracks, thank-you notes, T-shirts, and even some super-secret character designs. It’s our way of saying thanks!
10. Kickstarter Exclusives:
What exclusive content can backers expect from your Kickstarter campaign?
Answer:
For our backers, we’ve got some neat rewards! You can get digital wallpapers, anime soundtracks, thank you notes, T-shirts, and some exclusive character designs that are hand-signed. These designs? Only our team has seen them till now. Cool, right?
11. Hidden Trivia:
What’s a piece of trivia about Ion Zero or its inhabitants that hasn’t been revealed yet?
Answer:
Well, here’s a fun fact: The place called ULT CORP? That’s where Lex is secretly making his android army. But everyone in Ion Zero believes he’s just doing good work for the city there. Little do they know!
12. Gallery Frame:
If you had to choose a single frame from your pilot episode to hang in an art gallery, which one would it be and why?
Answer:
I’d pick the frame where Zane is swiping a massive mech machine. There’s just something epic about seeing a cyberpunk character breaking into a place and taking off with such a futuristic piece of tech.
13. Aha Moment:
Describe a moment during the project’s development that made you think, “This is why I’m doing this.”
Answer:
The real “aha” moment for me was when I showed my ULTIMATE MECHA script to some animators who had worked on big animes like Naruto and One Piece. When they got excited and wanted to be part of the project, I knew I was onto something special. It felt like everything was falling into place.
14. Villain’s Perspective:
If there were a “villain’s perspective” episode in “ULTIMATE MECHA,” what untold story or twist would it reveal?
Answer:
You know, it might surprise people, but Lex wasn’t always the mad scientist everyone sees now. And Axon? He never really wanted to be turned into a destructive android bounty hunter. There’s always more to the story than meets the eye.
15. Controversial Opinion:
What’s a controversial opinion you have about the anime industry that you believe “ULTIMATE MECHA” addresses or challenges?
Answer:
A lot of folks think you need to be a big studio or have tons of money to make a successful anime. I disagree. I think passion and drive can lead to some of the most unique stories, even without a massive budget. Animation isn’t cheap, but I hope ULTIMATE MECHA shows that with enough determination, you can make your vision come to life. I’m rooting for more indie creators to step up in the anime world
16. Leaked Scene Scenario
Imagine a scenario where a pivotal scene in the pilot gets leaked before release. How would that change the way you approach your Kickstarter campaign or storytelling?
Answer:
If a key scene got out early, fans might get the wrong idea about the anime. A story’s like a journey; you need to experience every step to really get it. If something leaked, I’d probably try to give it context or turn it into a teaser to get people even more excited.
17. Element Removal:
If you had to remove one essential element from “ULTIMATE MECHA,” which would you choose and how would it alter the story?
Answer:
It’s funny, but our editors once wanted to cut the Salesman character from the pilot. They thought his scene didn’t add much. But to me, every interaction, like the one with the Salesman, shapes how people see Xora. Removing him would change how people see her, and I wasn’t about to let that happen. Every character, every moment, it all adds up to tell the story I want to share.
A glimpse into the world of ULTIMATE MECHA: From concept to creation
Support “ULTIMATE MECHA
“This wraps up our in-depth.” interview with indie creator Ryan Russell, the creator behind ULTIMATE MECHA. We hope you found his thoughts as cool and interesting If you’re as captivated by Ryan’s unique vision for ‘ULTIMATE MECHA‘ as we are, consider showing your support. It would be really helpful in making this big project happen.
Link to the kickstarter here
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