Sonny Boy / Episode 8 SB/ED/AD - Keiichiro Saito Best episode of the season Saito returns for his second episode, but this time, he has much more creative freedom, taking charge of all three departments under his wing. The direction and storyboarding are absolutely up there with some of the greatest work this industry has to offer, making this one of Keiichiro Saito's greatest achievements in his career. The staff lineup for this episode is absolutely stacked with talent: Keiichiro Watanabe (PN), Gosei Oda, Toshiyuki Sato, Tooru Iwazawa, Naoto Uchida, Jin Oyama, Kerorira, and Keisuke Mori. The sheer amount of talent behind some of these sequences is incredible, with the dog-running animation and background animation standing out as some of the best sequences in the entire show. The story is ultimately what elevates this episode into one of my favourite directed episodes of all time. It's genuinely emotional while also providing an in-depth look at the backstory, with the narrative unfolding in a way that feels both meaningful and rewarding. The storyboarding is equally remarkable, featuring some incredibly creative and majestic shots that perfectly complement the character interactions and world-building. Everything feels carefully considered, and the visual storytelling elevates the material to another level. I'm incredibly glad to have experienced what I consider Saito's best work, and it still holds that distinction to this day, even though I've barely explored his filmography beyond the usual action shounen series. This episode has also made me appreciate the animation direction on a much deeper level. The character designs and posing are so distinctly Saito-esque that he essentially creates his own interpretation of the characters. Rather than simply following Kugai's original character designs, he adapts them into something that feels uniquely his own, perfectly suited to the episode's overall vision. I'm thoroughly satisfied with what this episode has to offer, and I honestly doubt we'll get another one quite this good. It's a phenomenal piece of work that brings together direction, storyboarding, animation, and storytelling in a way that's incredibly difficult to replicate. #SonnyBoy #サニボ