The making of Ramayana: Yugo Sako's 450-artist team brings Valmiki's epic to life

Yugo Sako's passion for Indian culture inspired his creation of Ramayana.

Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, envisioned by Yugo Sako and co-directed by Koichi Sasaki and Ram Mohan, stands as one of the earliest anime adaptations of an Indian epic. Completed in 1993, the film transformed the animation industry by bringing Indian mythology to global audiences through the unique style of Japanese anime, establishing a landmark moment in animation history.

Yugo Sako's passion for Indian culture inspired his creation of Ramayana. During his work on a documentary about archaeological excavations in India, he visited multiple times and discovered a compelling story for animation.

This exploration led to Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, as Sako recognized the epic's universal themes of love, friendship, and loyalty. He believed that animation could effectively convey these values to audiences of all ages around the globe.

The film was brought to life by a team of 450 artists who created nearly 100,000 hand-drawn cells. Yugo Sako opted for traditional hand-drawn animation instead of computer-generated imagery, believing it more effectively conveyed the warmth and humanity of the Ramayana.

Also Read: Anime fans in New Delhi celebrate Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama at exclusive 4K premiere event

This meticulous, labor-intensive approach infused the film with emotional depth that resonated with audiences worldwide. Many animators involved in the project went on to work on iconic series like Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z, Doraemon, and various Studio Ghibli films, underscoring the film’s lasting impact on the animation industry.

The film is set to hit theaters in India on October 18th and will be distributed by Geek Pictures India in collaboration with AA Films and Excel Entertainment, available in four languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.