New Delhi: 1993 animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram is back back to theaters across India, which is now available in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu. The film, which brings India’s epic mythological story into life, has got the audience with an enthusiastic reception, thanks for its breathtaking animation and compelling story. But do you know that the magnificent animation behind the film was prepared by Kajuuki Kobayashi, who was a former animator for veteran studio Ghibali?

Kobayashi, who worked with one of the most famous animation studios in Japan, returned by the iconic Hayo Miyamaki – is a prestigious history in the industry. Recently, the team behind Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram shared a hearty message from Kobayashi, where he reflected on his visit with the project. In his note, he opened up how his experience in studio Ghibli impressed his work on this Indian epic, highlighting the creative process that went to create a visually surprising work.

I worked at the Japanese animated television show and co-produce animated films as a prominent animator and animation supervisor with the United States. I attracted the important frames important for studio Ghibali’s “The Callie of the Valley of the Wind” and “Laputa: Castle in the Sky” and learned how Hayo … pic.twitter.com/yvkvpeabcw– Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram (official) (@ramayanaanime) 26 January, 2025

Before joining the Ramayana project, Kobayashi worked on the major animation frame for some of the most cute films of the Studio Ghibali, including The Valley of the Wind and Laputa: Castle in the Sky’s naval. He talked about how he learned from the expansion of Miazaki and focusing on the creative direction. When the Ramayana was assigned to animate, Kobayashi challenged the character development, inspired different types of Indian sources such as books, paintings and magazines, so that the characters could maintain their authenticity and cultural importance.

To bring the film into life, Kobayashi and his team produced more than 120,000 cellulide images, making immense efforts in each frame. Their passion for the story, as well as their commitment to capture the essence of the characters, shines in every scene.

Since the film made her much awaited 4K debut in theaters across India on January 24, 2025, Kobayashi expressed her excitement for the Indian audience to watch her work on the big screen. He hopes that fan would appreciate dedication and passion behind animation, which was prepared with immense care and reverence for the original epic.

Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram is now playing in select theaters across India, distributed by Geek Pictures India, AA Films and Excel Entertainment.