Nissan, Infiniti concepts star in new anime feature
The latest chapter in the popular Ghost in the Shell anime series is set to debut, and two Nissan concepts from last year will be featured prominently. In Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society, members of the special police force called Section 9 will be seen driving the Nissan Sport Concept and the Infiniti Kuraza.The widebodied Sport Concept hatchback, with its metal/carbon fiber bodywork, 20" wheels and racy interior, made its debut at the NY Auto Show in '05. The Kuraza, a very large and wild-looking luxury SUV concept, first appeared at Detroit earlier that same year. In the noirish, futuristic world depiced in the Ghost in the Shell series, neither looks out of place.
This is a big PR/marketing win for Nissan, seeing as the series enjoys a global following and has sold in excess of 1.5 million DVDs to date. These two concepts, and more importantly, their brands, are going to eventually wind up on a lot of TV screens with a lot of eyes on them once the theatrical run of Stand Alone Complex is up.
(More photos, press release after the jump)
[Source: Nissan]
Animation Stills:
Promo Still:
Nissan Sport Concept:
Infiniti Kuraza Concept:
PRESS RELEASE:
NISSAN GETS ANIMATED
-- Two concept cars to feature in "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" --
TOKYO, A.D. 2034 - It's been two years since Motoko Kusanagi left Section 9, the special police force of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission. Togusa is now the new leader of the considerably expanded unit. Section 9 confronts a string of mysterious cases, and investigations reveal that a wizard hacker named the Puppeteer is behind all of themc
This is the opening setup for the science fiction full-length animated feature "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society," produced by Production I.G, a major Japanese animation studio. In a rare collaborative event between an animation studio and an automaker, the full-length feature will introduce animated versions of two concept vehicles - The Nissan Sport Concept and Infiniti Kuraza. The Sport Concept, unveiled at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, and Infiniti Kuraza, shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, are driven by Section 9's team members.
The film will air in Japan in autumn and also be available on DVD at that time. The film will be available on DVD in the US and Europe in 2007.
"This film is more than a simple combination of our animation with Nissan concept cars; it's the first full-scale collaboration by the creative people in both companies," said Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, president of Production I.G. "The zealous effort by our highly motivated creators, from the director right down the staff roster is noticeable in the film. Take a close look at the cars in the film. I'll bet you find them every bit as cool as the actual cars."
"This is a revolutionary collaboration made possible by direct exchanges between both young and more experienced creative talents from both companies and is different from product placement," said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's senior vice president and chief creative officer. "Japanese animation is being taken more seriously as art every year around the world, and the concept cars in this film are rendered with particularly high quality; they're just wonderful. We hope that besides contributing to a great film experience, these very exciting images will bring the Nissan brand to a new spectrum of customers."
The Sport Concept is a three-door hatchback with a full-custom look to appeal to younger drivers. The dynamic shape of the car's fenders and spoilers, as well as its large wheels, evoke the supercars of video games. Infiniti Kuraza is designed for total comfort for six people and suggests new directions for sport utility vehicles. The car's luxurious interior combines traditional Japanese design principles, natural materials and state-of-the-art technology.
"Ghost in the Shell" is a series based on the graphic novel of the same title by Shirow Masamune. The novel was animated for movie theaters as "Ghost in the Shell" in 1995 by director Mamoru Oshii, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard US video chart the following year. It has since influenced many Hollywood movies, including "The Matrix," directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski.
Responding to worldwide demand, Production I.G released a sequel in 2004 entitled "Innocence", that became the first Japanese animated film nominated for the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie received rave reviews, consolidating director Oshii's reputation as a world-class animation director.
In order to expand the reach of "Ghost in the Shell," Production I.G created the TV series "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" in 2002. The series, which is directed by Kenji Kamiyama, has gained fans around the world and has already sold over 1.5 million DVDs in Japan alone.
Production I.G's other major projects include the movie "Jin-Roh - The Wolf Brigade," which has won various prizes in Japan and abroad, the TV series "Blood+," a hyperaction road battle that starts in Okinawa and circles the world, and the movie/TV project "xxxHOLiC," based on the popular comic books written by world-famous atelier CLAMP. The studio also produced the animation sequence of Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill: Vol. 1."
To commemorate the "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" collaboration between Production I.G. and Nissan, Nissan will hold a special public exhibition at the Nissan Gallery in Tokyo.
Event: Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. meets NISSAN
Venue: The Nissan Ginza Gallery
5-8-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Dates: Aug. 5, 2006 (Sat) to Aug. 14, 2006 (Mon)
Time: 10:00-20:00
Exhibits: Japan premiere of the Nissan Sport Concept
Premiere screening of the promotional trailer for "Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. - Solid State Society"
Collaborative displays, including related goods, original drawings and script.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eric L. 6:29PM (8/04/2006)
Wow that is really cool. I would loooove Nissan to build the sport compact hatch.
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WillDaThrill 6:31PM (8/04/2006)
If the sport concept had been released, the Versa would get a lot more attention than it's getting. It's just a boring Renault rendition now.
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Steve 6:40PM (8/04/2006)
The GTR Proto should have been included
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rwdmtparkingonly 6:44PM (8/04/2006)
Here's some anime for you:
Nissan better re-introduce the 240sx concept with this car (http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/tokyo/0511_nissan_foria/), or else she gets it: (http://www.themushroomkingdom.net/mania/images/anime/gma_amada_mario_29.jpg).
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Finished.Law.School 7:15PM (8/04/2006)
That is some clever marketing.
GM and Ford need smart innovative marketing people like this. GM and Ford also need to make vehicles that are appealing but that is another conversation/problem/characteristic...
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Brian 7:27PM (8/04/2006)
This is interesting. Nissan's said they haven't looked at making a production sport model of the Versa, which the Sport concept is, essentially. They've said they're 'interested' in the commotion that the sport concept has drawn up. Hopefully they'll see that the Sport is really this decades' version of the original 350z concept (with gas prices and all.)
I'd love to see it made, personally, with the Renaultsport Clio specs.
I'm guessin that nissan wouldn't let them use the GT-R because of the possible leakage of the animation stills.
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Tony 10:27PM (8/04/2006)
Nissan needs to build the Sport Concept and they needed to build it yesterday.... C'mon Nissan, can't you see you would sell a bundle of them if you built it? Just make sure it stays as true to the concept as possible (you can name it the Versa SE-R), then watch them fly off the lots. While they are at it, build the Azeal too (make it the next Sentra SE-R) Oh hell, who am I kidding, it makes too much sense, so of course it won't happen.
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Pico 10:34PM (8/04/2006)
The Kuraza is dessspicable.
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carl 10:42PM (8/04/2006)
yuck. quality; yuck. reliability; yuck. in general; yuck.
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dave 10:45PM (8/04/2006)
there's that moron that finished law school but never got the i.q. above 12. what do you expect from a lawyer. (bet he drives an xb.) no i take that back. a yugo.
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Stphane Dumas 7:47AM (8/05/2006)
Looks like this idea is very good.
I don't know if some of you had heard of the manga named Gunsmith Cats, in which the main protagonist Rally Vincent, a bounty hunter, drive a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT-500 then she nicknamed the Cobra. I could imagine Rally driving the new GT-500 then Ford will bring for 2007 ;-)
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anonymous Z27 10:56AM (8/05/2006)
Pretty interresting way to advertise some of the concept cars.
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BigRocket 11:22AM (8/05/2006)
Pathetic.
When I pay to see a movie in the theaters, or rent from a video store, I expect quality entertainment. Not blatant product placements (read: advertisements) that are included into the movie for the sake of enhancing the profit margin, rather than enhancing the movie itself.
So what's next, Appleseed the Movie 2 in which Deunan Knute takes a sip of refreshing Coca Cola while Briareos drives a Nissan Altima concept in a distopian cityscape?
Like I said: Pathetic.
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Bob 12:36PM (8/05/2006)
Memo to Nissan USA: Build the Sport Concept NOW. Ditch the Kuraza. That is all... Thank You
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Rene Curry 9:01AM (8/06/2006)
Smart move for Nissan. I can't believe how many high school & college kids are into anime.
This is probably a smarter marketing move than Ford's cereal box car because the anime fan is probably closer to the age of being able to purchase or to have an influence on other prople's purchases. (ie parents, friends) It also creates a clubby atmosphere to ownership.
To top it off anime fans love things Japanese.
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MR 10:56AM (8/06/2006)
13.. where have you been for the last 25ish years? "What's next, Jack Bauer will only drive Fords? They'll have a Coca Cola ad before Home Alone?"
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Stphane Dumas 11:27AM (8/06/2006)
I just taught of it, if the GM-Nissan-Renault "alliance" will materialize (and called probably "GNR" but others might claim rights to this name ;-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnr there still be "GRN" or "GMNR" or "GMRN" but that's another story). I could imagine some future GM-Zeta cars (Camaro, future Impala, GTO?) reaturing in future animes as well
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BigRocket 8:56AM (8/07/2006)
Response to 16:
Product placements have been around for a long time. They are all pathetic; some are just more pathetic than others. As lame as product placements are in general, what is even lamer are those who condone or even praise such forms of thinly disguised infomercials. And if you have never heard me complain about product placements before: Yeah, glad to make your acquaintance. You just realized you are not omnipotent?
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SER REAL 5:19PM (8/07/2006)
That's fresh!!! See, now that's what the current SE-R should be replaced with. Nissan should scrap their current plans for an SE-R with the new generation Sentra-- its just not worth it!
The entire Nissan community will embrace a sporty compact like this to compete head-on with the likes of the SRT-4s, Sis, Mazdaspeed 3s, and Scion tC's.
I will definitely check out the new Ghost in the Shell anime!
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jayjay from the philippines 8:38PM (8/08/2006)
to sir carlos ghosn,
i just hope you put the nissan sports concept into production! showing it to the public as a concept is just pointless! why not build it as a real car in production! i love the nissan marque, but right now i am just not impress with the versa/tiida look. i know skyline gtr, sylvia, 350z and other luxury cars of nissan are very nice already and is going to dominate under your management, but building the sports concept completes the success, and please redesign the c-platform sentra, make it sportier, or you can put into production the nissan azeal as well!
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