'Magic Candies' nominated for the 97th Oscars in Best Animated Short category

The 97th Academy Awards, the highest honor in the American film industry, has nominated “Magic Candies” (Japanese title: あめだま), produced by Toei Animation, in the category of Animated Short Film.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards on January 23 and “Magic Candies” was nominated for Best Animated Short category. This is the first time Toei Animation's work has been nominated for an Academy Award in any category. Director Daisuke Nishio and producer Takashi Washio commented on their nominations.

The award ceremony will be held on March 2 (local time) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Biographies and comments from the creators follow:

HEENA BAEK /Original Story

Born in Seoul in 1971, Heena Baek studied Education Technology at Ewha Womans University in Korea and later Animation at the California Institute of the Arts. In 2005, she rose to acclaim when she received the Fiction Writer of the Year award at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair for her debut storybook Cloud Bread. Baek has expanded her world of unique creations with works such as Moon Sherbet, The Bath Fairy, Magic Candies, and I Am a Dog. In 2020 she received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the equivalent of the Nobel prize in children’s literature. Today, her stories are loved by children all over the world as she continues her artistic pursuits.

DAISUKE NISHIO / Director

Born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1959, Daisuke Nishio joined Toei Animation in 1981 and debuted with the TV series DR. SLUMP -ARALE-. His representative works as a series director include DRAGON BALL Z, GE-GE-GE NO KITARO 4, and YOUNG KINDAICHI'S CASE BOOK. In 2004, he launched PRETTY CURE, a long-running series that has continued for over 20 years. He is highly regarded for his remarkable talent in capturing dynamic actions grounded in martial arts. He has also showcased his versatile talent by directing a variety of genres such as AIRMASTER, INTERSTELLA 5555, and Halo Legends – Odd One Out.

“It is an incredible honor, and I can hardly believe it.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who supported this nomination, and to all those involved in organizing the Academy Awards.

I also want to extend my highest praise to all the crews and casts of Magic Candies. Their sincere and tenacious efforts brought the world of this film to life in such a vivid way.

What touches me the most is that so many people from around the world have connected with this story.

I am filled with immense gratitude to everyone who has watched Magic Candies, and even those who have yet to see it.

Thank you so much.”

TAKASHI WASHIO / Producer

Born in Akita, Japan in 1965, Takashi Washio studied Law at Keio University. After working for an educational publishing company and as a news reporter for a TV station, he joined Toei Animation in 1998 and debuted as a producer with MR. MUSCLEMAN SECOND GENERATION. In 2004, he launched PRETTY CURE with Daisuke Nishio. His other representative works include Butt Detective, Thriller Restaurant, THE SUPERNATURAL SWEET SHOP, and Toriko.

“Thank you so much to the Academy members and everyone involved for the nomination of Magic Candies.

I believe this nomination is a recognition of the sincere dedication of every member of our team, who worked tirelessly to convey the charm of the original book through animation while delving deeply into what is truly important in filmmaking.

We sincerely hope that this film will continue to reach and be loved by people all over the world.”

<STORY>

“Playing alone isn’t so bad.”

The other kids at the park never ask Dong-Dong to play. That’s ok. He’s fine just playing marbles on his own. One day, he buys a bag of colorful candies instead of new marbles. The first time he pops one of them into his mouth, his old sofa starts talking to him! The two share an unexpected conversation before the sweet melts away. As it happens, the people, animals, and objects in Dong-Dong’s life have a lot to say.

HARUTO SHIMA

HIROSHI IWASAKI

KAZUHIRO YAMAJI

SAKIKO URAN

IKKEI WATANABE

OI KIKO

And YOSHIFUMI HASEGAWA

Original Story by HEENA BAEK
(“Magic Candies” and “I Am a Dog” published by Storybowl in Korea and Bronze Publishing in Japan)

Directed by DAISUKE NISHIO

Producer: TAKASHI WASHIO

Animation Producer: KAZUHIRO NISHIKAWA

Music: NAOKI SATO