Occasionally, an anime’s soul is indistinguishable from the soul of the person who created it. Nowhere is that relation as vivid as it is between Sorairo Utility and its director/character designer, Kengo Saito. Hailing from Osaka, Mr. Saito boasts a long career in animation, having worked with studios like Bones, TRIGGER, Studio DEEN, and Yostar Pictures, to name a few. An avid golfer, Mr. Saito’s passion for the sport is directly to thank for the birth of Sorairo Utility.
With an enthusiastic zeal for golf, Mr. Saito created the character designs for Sorairo Utility and pitched the idea to Yostar Pictures. That idea became the 2021 Sorairo Utility TV short, but his drive and enthusiasm didn’t end there. Mr. Saito wasn’t content with a single one-off short; he envisioned a full-length TV anime. And through his passion and help from colleagues, that dream became a reality.
Sorairo Utility may seem like just another cute-girls-do-golf anime, but it’s an ode to passion. While the show firmly embraces slice-of-life vibes, it uses every frame to inspire you. We abhorrently overestimate how much time and how many opportunities we have in life, and because of it, many accept the mundane. But the acceptance of the mundane is something that Mr. Saito and Sorairo Utility find unacceptable. Life is about finding that “exceptional special something,” and Sorairo Utility violently reminds you of that.
We recently had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Saito so we could talk about all things Sorairo Utility and golf.
An Interview With Kengo Saito, Sorairo Utility’s Director
Q: Can you tell us about the origins of Sorairo Utility? What inspired the project, and how did it evolve into the series we see today?
A: I started playing golf five years ago, and I wanted to work on something that could connect with that hobby. So, I pitched the idea for a golf-themed anime. From there, we created and released a short anime called Sorairo Utility.
After it came out, we were fortunate to be approached by a company who had seen it and said, “Let’s make this into a TV anime series.” Thanks to the support and collaboration of various companies, the project moved forward and the production came to life.
Q: In the original Sorairo Utility special, Minami mentions that the ball Haruka hit “painted a line into the sky.” Did this scene influence the series’ title? Or is there any other meaning behind the name Sorairo Utility?
A: I didn’t really have any deep meaning behind it. When we made the short, I just liked how “Utility” sounded, so we went with that for the title. But if I had to say, I guess I wanted it to represent a gentle story, and the utility club felt like a symbol of that gentleness.
As for “Sorairo (Sky Blue)” I chose it as a kind of mirror to reflect emotions and feelings.
Q: When the Sorairo Utility special aired in 2021, were there already plans to adapt it into a full TV anime?
A: The TV anime itself wasn’t in development at the time, but I had been thinking about what kind of story I’d like to tell if it ever did become a series.
Q: You are credited with the special and TV-anime’s character design, however, there are slight differences in those designs. Could you explain why these changes were made?
A: Of course, I have my own drawing style, but I try to keep up with current trends by looking at tons of artwork on X and elsewhere. One noticeable change is probably the way I added highlights to the pupils— that’s become a bit of a signature look.
Also, compared to the short, the TV series required a much larger volume of work, so I redesigned the characters to make them easier for more people to draw. For example, we omitted the ribbon that was braided into Ayaka’s hair, among other small adjustments.
Q: When working on an original series what limitations and creative freedoms are present compared to adaptations? What aspects do you enjoy or find challenging?
A: What made it interesting was that I was able to fully do what I wanted creatively. Along with that, it was really fun working with the team to develop the story, the characters’ backgrounds, and their emotions.
As for the difficult part―it was probably the fact that there’s no clear answer. Even during production, I was constantly facing myself, asking what I was feeling and what I really wanted to express. It was tough, but also one of the most rewarding parts of the process.
Q: What were the challenges of accurately depicting golf in an anime?
A: When it comes to the swing itself, I actually used my own swing as a reference, and since I already had some golf knowledge, that part wasn’t too difficult. But I did run into some challenges with the ball―like after a shot, the ball would be so small in wide shots that it basically disappeared. So yeah, anything involving the ball ended up being the tricky part.
Q: Golf is somewhat niche in anime, yet Sorairo Utility embraces it as a central theme. In your opinion how is golf perceived in Japanese culture. What kind of impact do you hope the anime has in bringing golf into the spotlight?
A: In Japan, golf is still often seen as a formal and expensive sport, something mostly older men play. But since around 2019, especially with the impact of COVID, I’ve felt a real shift—more young people have started playing, and the sport is becoming more lively. That’s why I want younger generations to see golf as something more accessible, something they can enjoy casually, almost like a leisure activity.
Q: Do you see any similarities between the skills needed to direct an anime and those needed to play golf?
A: I guess it’s “don’t really get flustered or angry, no matter what happens”? And when things go the way I imagined, it’s just really fun as golf. Lol
Q: Could you share how you got into directing and whether any particular anime inspired you to pursue this career path?
A: In my case, I wasn’t particularly interested in the role of director. Since I was the one who came up with the idea for Sorairo Utility, I ended up directing out of necessity. However, while working on this project, I realized that there’s a unique kind of fun that only comes with being a director, and now I’d actually like to direct again if possible.
For this project, I had the opportunity to work closely with Director Akira Amemiya on SSSS.GRIDMAN, and I was heavily influenced by him. During the production, I often found myself thinking, “What would Amemiya-san do?” or “Amemiya-san would probably handle it like this,” and that definitely shaped the way I approached things.
Q: The voice acting in Sorairo Utility was exceptional. How would you say that contributed to the series?
A: It really felt like the three members of HAM were just there in the recording booth as themselves. During the recording sessions, there were many moments where we, on the production side, would ask Takagi-san, Amami-san, and Goto-san for their input when we were unsure about something. I really felt that the chemistry between their characters was strong. There were also a lot of ad-libbed lines, and we left much of that to them.
Q: Do you have a favorite character from the series? If so, what makes them stand out?
A: My favorite character, huh… Hmm, well, I do love HAM, but if I had to choose, I think my favorite would be Izumi, the classmate who makes her debut in this project. I really wanted to draw a blonde gal, so I’m really satisfied with how she turned out.
As for her character, I especially love the contrast of her being a gal and also being into shogi — it’s a pretty unique combination that you don’t often see.
Q: How did the collaboration with Birdie Wing come about? Do you think about HAM would enjoy the world of underground golf gambling?
A: I’m not entirely sure about the details of the collaboration with Birdie Wing, but I believe we were approached after Sorairo Utility was showcased at the Japan Golf Fair in 2024.
It feels like Haruka could really enjoy the competitive world of golf, right? Ayaka, surprisingly, could probably succeed by using more cunning strategies to outsmart her opponents.
As for Minami, she might end up becoming a sort of underground idol, and find success in a totally different way! lol
Q: Sorairo Utility collaborated with golf courses, stores, and brands. Did you anticipate this level of support/enthusiasm from the golf community?
A: From the production stage, we approached various golf manufacturers, and we were really grateful for how proactive and supportive they were in helping us. That said, there were some clubs we couldn’t include due to timing issues, so if we have another opportunity in the future, I’d love to feature more of them.
To be honest, I wasn’t really all that surprised by the response. I’m just hoping we can continue to engage with the golf industry even more going forward.
Q: Based on your social media, you’re an avid golfer. What would you say to anime fans who took up golf because of Sorairo Utility? Do you have any advice for them?
A: I think golf offers a lot of different ways to enjoy it. It’s great if you’re focused on your score, but it’s also fun to just hang out with friends and have a good time.
I hope people find their own way to enjoy the game and keep playing for a long time. And every now and then, I hope they’ll enjoy Sorairo Utility too!
Q: Do you have any thoughts on the future of the franchise? Is there potential for any forms of media that could continue the story?
A: For me, the story of HAM is always continuing. After Episode 12, I imagine they’d head to the night game, then go to a diner to reflect on the day while having parfaits. It’s just a depiction of their ordinary, everyday lives. However, I don’t want it to just stay as my daydreams. I believe I’ll need everyone’s support to make it happen. I’d be very happy if you could support us in creating a sequel.
Q: Lastly, many anime fans will watch shows covering unfamiliar topics if the story is engaging. However, it can be harder for non-anime fans to try a show about a hobby they already enjoy. Yet, Sorairo Utility managed to attract golfers who don’t usually watch anime. Why do you think that is?
A: I think a big part of it is that I’m quite the golf addict myself. I’m into all the gear, and I even go play golf alone with strangers. I think that experience really helped me draw a more authentic, “real-life” version of golf in the anime.
It might feel a little lacking for some anime fans, though! Lol
Some of the other titles Mr. Saito has worked on include:
- Akame ga Kill! – Key Animation
- Azur Lane: Slow Ahead – Chief Animation Director
- Darling in the Franxx – Key Animation, Animation Director
- Kill la Kill – Key Animation
- Kiznaiver – Key Animation
- Little Witch Academia – Key Animation
- When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace – Animation Director
HIDIVE streams Sorairo Utility.
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