Chuck: How long have you known the "Princess of Canada"?

Jan: I've known her in some respects for my entire life but only got personal in the summer of 2000.

Chuck: Now for a set of totally subjective questions. What in your estimation are the five top worst animations released on an unsuspecting public? Why?

Jan: That's hard… I don't really like to point out what I feel is bad animation because my opinions are just that -- opinions. Speaking from a personal and director's point of view however:

The last Evangelion movie: this film was the greatest insult ever forced upon an audience. It was like some kind of horrible torture to watch and infuriated me so much I had to repeatedly turn it off and rest so that I wouldn't explode. I had to see it all because I needed to know just how bad it could get. If that was done to an American audience by an American director there would be lynch mobs… It was the worst case of directorial masturbation I have ever encountered. (You might get the idea that I didn't like it…)

Plastic Little: This should have been drawn as a doujinshi instead of wasting an animation budget. I dislike seeing people's fetishes shoved in other people's faces. It's nice that you have a fetish, the majority of people do, keep it with the people who like it with you.

Nanako SOS: Misogyny and fan service is what this video series seems to be about. I don't care about the fan service (although I feel that it's pandering to the worst elements of the audience), but I really hate misogyny.

Chuck: The top five best anime, or more if you need more, of all time?

Jan: Laputa,

          Grave of the Fireflies,

       Akira,

          Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer,

          Lupin III: Castle Cagliostro,

          Patlabor 2.

Chuck: What projects are you currently working on, and will you be attending any conventions this year?

Jan: Unfortunately I can't talk about any of the projects I'm working on due to legal reasons.

Chuck: Do you foresee any collaborations between U.S. and Japanese animation studios ?

None that will work out. Until they get someone in the middle who completely understands both sides and can do top-level creative work, it's not going to happen.

Chuck: What are your thoughts on computer animation vis "Final Fantasy: Spirits Within," a full 3D animation, and blending with traditional 2D or cell animation?

It's interesting but not really my thing. I've worked with a lot of 3D systems, and while they can make some really interesting stuff, it's much harder to make something really great in 3D than it is in 2D. I don't like 3D characters at all and much prefer traditionally drawn or real actors. I do, however, like working with a mixture of 2D and 3D, as that allows for much better looking work. The problem is that almost nobody does it right. I spent over two years working on the fusion of 2D and 3D, and it took that long to get it to look right. It still entails a lot of work.

Chuck: Lastly, one FAQ. Any advice on entering any aspects of the anime industry?

Jan: Don't.

OK, you can read more about this on my website at under the Working in the Anime Industry section.

Chuck: I want to thank your for your time, and ability to retain your composure in the wake of a withering flurry of hard questions from a nervous interrogator. I hope to see you at future conventions.

Jan: Thank you!

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