I'm Sébastien Pons, a strategic animation advisor and Japan-Europe bridge expert based in La Rochelle, France. Over 18 years in Tokyo's theatrical animation industry, I contributed to Detective Conan films background and collaborated directly with Japanese studios, while maintaining a robust European presence. I am also a published manga author with Japanese language fluency that enables smooth collaboration across studios and cultures. My unique value is blending authentic creator experience with deep production expertise to resolve cross-cultural optimization challenges, elevate quality standards, and unlock premium results for international collaborations. I lead creative direction and art direction, supervise visual development, and translate between Japanese and European production teams to deliver work that meets Japanese quality benchmarks for global audiences.

Sébastien Pons

I'm Sébastien Pons, a strategic animation advisor and Japan-Europe bridge expert based in La Rochelle, France. Over 18 years in Tokyo's theatrical animation industry, I contributed to Detective Conan films background and collaborated directly with Japanese studios, while maintaining a robust European presence. I am also a published manga author with Japanese language fluency that enables smooth collaboration across studios and cultures. My unique value is blending authentic creator experience with deep production expertise to resolve cross-cultural optimization challenges, elevate quality standards, and unlock premium results for international collaborations. I lead creative direction and art direction, supervise visual development, and translate between Japanese and European production teams to deliver work that meets Japanese quality benchmarks for global audiences.

Available to hire

I’m Sébastien Pons, a strategic animation advisor and Japan-Europe bridge expert based in La Rochelle, France. Over 18 years in Tokyo’s theatrical animation industry, I contributed to Detective Conan films background and collaborated directly with Japanese studios, while maintaining a robust European presence. I am also a published manga author with Japanese language fluency that enables smooth collaboration across studios and cultures.

My unique value is blending authentic creator experience with deep production expertise to resolve cross-cultural optimization challenges, elevate quality standards, and unlock premium results for international collaborations. I lead creative direction and art direction, supervise visual development, and translate between Japanese and European production teams to deliver work that meets Japanese quality benchmarks for global audiences.

See more

Language

Japanese
Advanced
English
Fluent
French
Fluent

Work Experience

Lead 2D/3D Environment Artist at Ishigaki Production
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2023
Pioneer of 2D/3D integration methodology for Japan's highest-grossing anime franchise; established trusted remote EU-Japan workflow (2012-2023); direct collaboration in Japanese on-site for 4 years plus 11 years of remote annual missions within Detective Conan projects.
Senior Background Designer at Ishigaki Production
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Gintama Movie – Yoshihara in Flames (2025) project involvement; 2D/3D environment design with theatrical quality standards for animation-derived features.
Senior Background Designer at Shaft
January 1, 2024 - Present
Netflix SF Series project; SF environment design with theatrical quality standards for streaming; direct collaboration with Japanese production teams in Japanese.
Senior Background Designer at Shaft Productions
January 1, 2023 - June 27, 2025
Virgin Punk Movie – Cyberpunk theatrical feature; Director: Yasuomi Umetsu; release scheduled for 2025-06-27; applied 15 years of Detective Conan urban environment expertise to cyberpunk aesthetics and maintained theatrical quality standards.
Technical Character Design Supervisor at Blue Spirit Productions
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Disney+/Marvel Production (What If...? Series); bridging Marvel's 2D design language with 3D production requirements; translated MCU visual standards for Disney+ premium streaming.
Design Supervisor at 2 Minutes
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026
Les Légendaires European theatrical feature adaptation; design supervision; applied Detective Conan blockbuster methodology to European production; targeted 6-7M copies sold for the BD franchise.

Education

Diploma certificate Level 1 — Digital Director, Graphic Design & 3D at MOPA (formerly Supinfocom), Arles, France
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2002
Certificate: Traditional Japanese Art Techniques at Lycée Artistique Koghei, Japan
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1997

Qualifications

Diploma certificate Level 1 — Digital Director, Graphic Design & 3D
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2002
Certificate: Traditional Japanese Art Techniques
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1997

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education