
DUBAI: Ihabo Azzamo is a talented Jordanian animator who worked on several Japanese anime projects such as ‘One Piece’, ‘Dragon Ball Daima’, and ‘Undead Unluck’.
“As a kid, I was always captivated by the craftsmanship in Japanese anime. The love they put in details and expressive poses stood out compared to Western cartoons, which felt less personal to me,” the animator said. “Even with reused animations, anime managed to convey so much emotion and charm, supported by stunningly beautiful backgrounds, fresh and unique poses, and compelling, ongoing stories.”
“My favorite manga were ‘Dragon Ball’ and ‘Detective Conan’. Later, I developed a passion for series like ‘Bakuman’, ‘Liar Game’, and ‘Gantz’. Honestly, the list of favorites is much longer than this,” he added.
He was introduced to the animation industry at 12 years old through a friend. “Until then, I didn’t even know it was possible to study animation in a school. That moment sparked my desire to learn this craft and pursue it as a career.”
“I started working in the Japanese animation industry officially in 2023, but I had been animating long before that. I would describe my animation style as somewhat chaotic. I usually begin by focusing on capturing key poses from start to finish. Once it conveys the intention I had in mind, I start refining the animation and timing. If it feels right and the core principles are in place, I continue to develop it, making it clearer. Most of the time, my initial scribbles are only understandable to me,” he said, adding that his debut in the industry was in ‘One Piece’ in episode 1059.
About the challenges that he faced during his career, Azzamo said one of them was adapting to the workflow. “Fortunately, I had guidance from a German animator who helped me navigate the process. Beyond that, the main challenges included interpreting the storyboard, understanding the director’s vision, implementing corrections effectively, and, most importantly, completing the work within tight deadlines.”
“I’ve had fun working on every anime project I’ve been a part of. Each one has felt like a big achievement, and I’ve always connected with the work in some way. ‘One Piece’, ‘Dragon Ball’, ‘Doremi’, and ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ were all shows I grew up reading or watching, so it feels both strange and incredible to be involved in such inspiring projects,” he added.
Comparing his animation experience in Western countries and Japan, the artist said he preferred the latter. “I find the Japanese animation industry more convenient and enjoyable,” he shared. “Many projects follow a similar workflow, which means I don’t have to constantly rethink how to get into each one. In contrast, Western animation projects tend to vary greatly, both in terms of workflow and the style of design and animation.”
Azzamo has been staying in Japan for six months.”This is actually my fourth time visiting,” he said. “I’ve spent the most time in Tokyo because of the studios and the people I know are mostly located here. Outside of Tokyo, I’ve also visited Osaka and Kyoto, though I feel I’ve missed out on much of what Japan has to offer since my focus has primarily been on the people, work, and studios.”
“In Japan, respect towards others is deeply ingrained in daily life, and it’s a trait I truly admire and have tried to incorporate into my own routine,” he added.
For those interested in becoming animators, Azzamo said it is best to have a specific plan. “Do plenty of animation work and share your progress. When applying to a project, showcasing your skills and effort can make a difference.”