Masaaki Yuasa to curate Drawn Universes animation season at TIFF Lightbox
TIFF Lightbox in Toronto will run "Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation" from Nov. 19 to Dec. 29. The season has 17 features and four shorts chosen by Japanese director Masaaki Yuasa.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The Toronto International Film Festival's TIFF Lightbox will host "Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation", a season of classic animation guest-curated by Japanese director Masaaki Yuasa, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 29. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The series, to run Nov. 19 to Dec. 29 at TIFF Lightbox” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation will run from November 19 to December 29 at TIFF Lightbox.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Yuasa selected 17 features and four shorts. Titles include Katsuhiro Ôtomo's Akira and Lee Unkrich's Toy Story 3, as well as works by Hayao Miyazaki, Sylvain Chomet and René Laloux. The Hollywood ReporterLC “In all, 17 features and four shorts selected by Yuasa, including movies by Katsuhiro Otomo, Hayao Miyazaki, Sylvain Chomet and Rene Laloux” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “Katsuhiro Ôtomo’s Akira and Lee Unkrich’s Toy Story 3 are among the animated titles” Read at Deadline ↗ Centre · 1The season opens on Nov. 19 with Paul Grimault's The King and the Mockingbird, preceded by a reception. Yuasa's introduction to that film is recorded. DeadlineN “November 19, 6:30pmThe King and the Mockingbird (1980)dir. Paul GrimaultRecorded introduction by Masaaki Yuasa(Opening night film, preceded by a reception)” Read at Deadline ↗
Mixed · 2Yuasa will introduce Richard Williams' The Thief and the Cobbler: A Moment in Time (Nov. 27) and Isao Takahata's Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables (Nov. 28) in person. He will also take part in an "In Conversation With…" event on Nov. 28. DeadlineN “On November 28, Yuasa will take part in an In Conversation With… event at the Lightbox.” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “will include conversations with Yuasa and the Japanese director introducing screenings of Richard Williams’ The Thief and the Cobbler” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 1Deadline's schedule says Fantastic Planet and Night on the Galactic Railroad will screen from 35mm prints. It lists other titles including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ghost in the Shell, Pinocchio and a December 22 programme of four shorts. Several screenings have partners such as Japan Foundation Toronto, OCAD University and Sheridan College. DeadlineN “Fantastic Planet (1973) by René Laloux, which will be screened from a 35mm print”“Shorts Films Curated by Masaaki Yuasa:Rock-a-Bye Bear (1952) dir. Tex Avery / Hedgehog in the Fog (1975) dir. Yuri Norstein” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2In a statement released by TIFF, Yuasa said he wanted to "look back at films that sparked my own imagination and influenced both my predecessors and the generations that followed." The Hollywood ReporterLC “In curating this series, I wanted to look back at films that sparked my own imagination and influenced both my predecessors and the generations that followed.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN ““In curating this series, I wanted to look back at films that sparked my own imagination and influenced both my predecessors and the generations that followed,” Yuasa said in a statement.” Read at Deadline ↗
Mixed · 2Yuasa's credits include Mind Game, The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, Ride Your Wave, Lu Over the Wall, Inu-Oh, an Adventure Time episode and Netflix's Devilman Crybaby. He co-founded Science SARU in 2013 with Eunyoung Choi, left in 2020, and established a new studio, Ame Pippin, Inc., in 2025. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Yuasa in 2013 co-founded Science SARU with Eunyoung Choi, left in 2020 and in 2025 he established ame pippin Inc.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “He directed Inu-Oh, which earned nominations at both the Golden Globes and the Annie Awards.” Read at Deadline ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Short trade news item that leads on Yuasa's curation and the Toronto Film Festival link, with his credits and the director's statement.
- Emphasis
- Yuasa's career highlights and the filmmakers on the list.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the screening-by-screening schedule, 35mm prints, partners and the date of the In Conversation event.
- For example
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“The Toronto Film Festival is set to showcase classic films selected by Japanese anime director Masaaki Yuasa that influenced his celebrated animation.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Programme announcement that leads on specific titles and carries the full schedule.
- Emphasis
- Dates, formats (35mm), introductions, partners and the complete list of titles.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives less on Yuasa's wider influences than the director's statement; no outside reaction.
- For example
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“Katsuhiro Ôtomo’s Akira and Lee Unkrich’s Toy Story 3 are among the animated titles that will screen at the TIFF Lightbox” — Deadline
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The season is called Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation and runs Nov. 19 to Dec. 29 at TIFF Lightbox.
- Yuasa chose 17 features and four shorts.
- The King and the Mockingbird opens the season.
- Yuasa will introduce The Thief and the Cobbler and Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables.
Masaaki Yuasa person
Presents the series as a look back at films that inspired him and shaped both earlier and later generations of animators.
“Taken together, these films demonstrate boundless imagination, extraordinary technical skill, and world-building at the highest level” — The Hollywood Reporter
TIFF Lightbox organisation
Hosts the season at TIFF Lightbox and released Yuasa's director's statement.
“Yuasa said in a director’s statement released by TIFF” — The Hollywood Reporter
Left1 article
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Anime Director Masaaki Yuasa Set to Curate Toronto Fest Classic Film Showcase
Neutral Concise announcement centred on Yuasa and his selections.
Centre1 article
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TIFF Lightbox Sets Animation Season Guest Curated By Masaaki Yuasa
Neutral Detailed listings-style report with the full screening schedule and Yuasa's biography.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 8 Oct 17:00 First The Hollywood ReporterLC Anime Director Masaaki Yuasa Set to Curate Toronto Fest Classic Film Showcase
- 9 Oct 11:50 +18h 51m DeadlineN TIFF Lightbox Sets Animation Season Guest Curated By Masaaki Yuasa
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.