Kerorira: The Animator breathing New Life into Anime, Named to Forbes JAPAN’s “30 Under 30”
Tokyo, Japan – august 26, 2025 – Forbes JAPAN has unveiled its annual “30 Under 30” list, recognizing the nation’s brightest young talents poised to shape the next generation. This year’s edition, hitting newsstands wiht the October issue released today, features animator kerorira in the ART & STYLE category. this prestigious award marks a significant milestone for the rising star, who is already making waves in the booming $30 billion (¥3.3465 trillion) global anime market (Japan Video Association’s Anime Industry Report 2024).
Kerorira, known for work on popular titles like “long-in-a-lo-c!”, is being lauded not just for his artistic skill, but for his vision for the future of Japanese animation and his commitment to nurturing the next wave of animators.
His breakout success came with the critically acclaimed anime Bocchi the Rock! (based on the manga by Hamaji Aki,and broadcast in Fall 2022). As both character designer and general animation director, Kerorira brought the story of an introverted high school girl finding her voice through music to life.The series resonated deeply with audiences, culminating in an unprecedented awards sweep in 2023, including “ANIME OF THE YEAR” from anime Trending, a leading American anime news site.
But Kerorira’s path to success wasn’t conventional. He credits a childhood immersed in art – his father was a Japanese painter – with fostering his passion, though he initially didn’t envision a career in the field. A brief and unsuccessful stint at design university led him to hone his skills independently, publishing his work online and attending industry events.
A pivotal moment came during a live painting demonstration by Austrian artist bahijd. “Seeing the drawing come to life… that’s when I realized this job existed!” Kerorira recalls.He quickly pursued opportunities in anime production, even facing initial rejection due to his linework. Undeterred, he dedicated himself to relentless practice and improvement.
His perseverance paid off, catching the eye of animation producer Shota Umehara at CloverWorks. Kerorira’s work on the original anime wonder Egg priority proved to be another turning point, allowing him to tackle complex projects and collaborate with a talented team.
“it was incredibly challenging, and there where times I almost quit,” Kerorira admits. ”But looking back, I’m proud of what we accomplished. Working with so many talented people allowed me to truly become part of the anime-making process.”
Kerorira’s story is a testament to the power of dedication, the importance of mentorship, and the vibrant future of Japanese animation.His inclusion in Forbes JAPAN’s “30 Under 30” is a well-deserved recognition of his talent and a signal of even greater things to come.
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