From aspiring comedian to comic fan and now creative director, Dentsu Creative’s Executive Creative Director Koji Kanzaki loves uncovering beauty in the mundane, dreams of dining with Banksy, and keeps his inner child alive. He always believes that “We can turn anything dull into something wonderful.”
Check out the story that was first published on Creative Minds, a column on Campaign Asia Pacific.
HOW DID YOU END UP BEING A CREATIVE?
As a child, I was physically weak and spent most of my time indoors. I was strongly influenced by the manga, video games, TV programmes, and movies I was exposed to during that time. They made me dream.
When I grew up and started working, I wanted to create things that would captivate children like me. So, I chose a creative career.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE OF WORK IN YOUR PORTFOLIO?
My favourite project is a collaboration between Tokyo Metro and Suntory Boss canned coffee, titled The Last Train.
Using the station’s digital signage, colleagues of a retiring stationmaster (who had worked at the station for a long time) organised a surprise for him on his last day. In Japan, it’s common for people to spend their entire career at one company, so this was a special way to say thank you.
WHICH WORK BY SOMEONE ELSE DO YOU LIKE THE MOST?
Improv Everywhere. It’s comedian and director Charlie Todd’s decades-long project, bringing extraordinary moments of surprise and delight to ordinary places. This group makes me happy and brave, reminding me of the importance of play and laughter.
WHAT/WHO ARE YOUR KEY CREATIVE INFLUENCES?
Eiichiro Oda, the author of the manga One Piece. The series began when I was in middle school and has been with me on my journey from Kobe to university in Tokyo and into my career at dentsu.
Like Luffy and his crew, my challenges never end, and neither do their adventures. I feel like the end of One Piece might mean I’ve burnt out!
In 2017, I had the opportunity to represent Japanese copywriters at the One Piece 20th Anniversary event, where I took part in a one-hour live streaming session on their official channel, themed around ‘The Lines from One Piece.’
DO YOU HAVE A CATCHPHRASE?
Yes—‘Be a kid again.’ It means that even as adults, we can still play, imagine, and use our childlike creativity to achieve great things.
I’ve used this mantra since joining dentsu in Tokyo in 2006, and it still drives me today.
WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Yuji Horii, the creator of the Dragon Quest video game series. As a kid, I was immersed in his games, and they felt like real adventures. His quote, “Life is an RPG: Role playing game,” has helped me through many phases of life.
WHO’S ON YOUR DREAM DINNER GUEST LIST?
Banksy. His playful art inspires me. Visiting his museum in Bristol and seeing his street art taught me how to make things that move people’s hearts. I wonder if I can have such power in advertising creative —— I’d love to discuss with him over dinner.
TELL US ABOUT AN ARTIST (ANY MEDIUM) THAT WE’VE NEVER PROBABLY HEARD OF.
Bounce Patrol. This group creates playful, educational English-learning content. My four-year-old daughter introduced me to their videos, which teach phonics in an entertaining way.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC / FILM / TV SHOW / BOOK / OTHER OF THE PAST YEAR, AND WHY?
My favourite film, both this year and of my life, is Sister Act. It’s a timeless favourite. Whoopi Goldberg’s character Deloris says, “They don’t like coming to church. Why? Because it’s a drag. But we could change all that.”
My creative philosophy stems from quotes like this.
WHAT KIND OF STUDENT WERE YOU?
I wanted to be a comedian and founded a theatre troupe called ‘Let’s Laugh Off!’. We performed at school festivals, local Kobe live houses, and theatres.
The idea was inspired by Whoopi Goldberg’s words in Sister Act: “We can turn anything dull into something wonderful.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO 10-YEAR-OLD YOU, IF YOU COULD?
You’re into games now, and that’s okay. Someday, as a creative director, you’ll work on campaigns for Dragon Quest and the upcoming One Piece comic. You’ll marry a great woman who shares aspirations about global challenges, and your daughter will teach you playful lessons.
Remember: Be a kid again even when you grow up. Good luck!
-ENDS-
