'Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26' Is a Joyously Unhinged Look Into the Young Mind of Manga's Wildest Auteur

'Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26' – A Joyously Unhinged Glimpse into a Wild Manga Mind

The Prime Video anthology presents eight of the earliest short stories by Tatsuki Fujimoto, creator of 'Chainsaw Man,' brought to life by six different animation studios. Anthologies have become rare in anime today, with notable exceptions like Star Wars: Visions and Love Death + Robots.

Once, studios at their creative peaks collaborated on landmark anthologies such as Robot Carnival and Memories. These works showcased diverse talents, artistic flair, and the magic unique to anime's visual storytelling. Such projects launched directors like Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), and Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) into visionary status, influencing animation today.

These anthologies offered audiences a multifaceted window into varied tales, each with distinct tones, styles, and moods, proving animation’s worth as an independent art form, not just a blueprint for live-action adaptation.

Now, this once rare format experiences a resurgence, shining a light on the early and experimental works of one of manga’s most unpredictable auteurs, Tatsuki Fujimoto.

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Rising Influence in 2025

Few creators today inspire as much admiration within the anime industry as Fujimoto. In just two years, the Chainsaw Man legend—an avid cinephile—has seen his one-shot manga Look Back transformed into a heartfelt Studio Durian feature, which rivals the quality of Studio Ghibli’s work.

Additionally, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc achieved massive box-office success through animation studio Mappa.

"These projects launched directors like Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), and Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) as visionaries whose influence still shapes animation today."
"Over just two years, the Chainsaw Man legend (and unabashed cinephile) has seen his one-shot manga, Look Back, adapted into a stirring Studio Durian feature rivaling the work of Studio Ghibli."

Fujimoto’s work confirms animation as a distinct, expressive medium and underscores the value of revisiting short story anthologies to experience fresh and diverse creativity.

Author’s summary: This anthology revitalizes the art of anime shorts by showcasing Tatsuki Fujimoto’s early stories, highlighting his bold creativity and elevating his status as a leading manga and animation visionary.

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Gizmodo Gizmodo — 2025-11-08

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