Anime is a diverse medium that has influenced tons of creators over the years, both in the East and the West. While many animation studios in America have carried forward with anime-inspired cartoons like Avatar: The Last Airbender, some Westerners have gone off to work in Japan to create anime of their own. D'ART Shtajio is a studio founded by Black animator twins Arthell and Darnell Isom and their fellow animator Henry Thurlow. It's worked on various well-known anime, but is also developing several in-house anime that could help spread diversity to the medium.
One of D'ART Shtajio's in-house projects is Tephlon Funk, an adaptation of an anime-inspired webcomic written by Stéphane Metayer and illustrated by David Tako. Tephlon Funk is a period piece, showcasing life in New York City back in the 90s, centered on Black teens and young adults making their way through life. It's a love letter to the Five Burroughs as told through an infusion of anime and hip-hop.
However, despite Arthell Isom describing his excitement for Tephlon Funk in an interview with SyFy Wire, Tephlon Funk's anime adaptation has yet to materialize. CBR recently had a chance to speak with Metayer about the history and influences behind Tephlon Funk, as well as why the anime adaptation has yet to materialize.
CBR: Tephlon Funk is a wonderful independent comic, created by you and your illustration partner, David Tako. I would love to know how this project came to be in its initial form. What's the story behind this incredible project?
SM: I first came up with the idea back in 2004 when I was still in high school. The story has evolved a lot over the years. However, the core elements have remained mostly the same. I actually didn’t meet David Tako until late 2013 when I contacted him on behance.com not long afterwards David’s good friend Nico Safe joined the comic out of love for the hip hop aesthetics. Up until that point, I was writing, designing and drawing everything myself. I also did a soundtrack with Fat Jon from Samurai Champloo. Last week, it reached over 2 million streams on Spotify.
CBR: Just a quick look at your website and its gallery shows a lot of artwork for Tephlon Funk heavily inspired by the works of Shinichiro Watanabe -- in particular, Cowboy Bebop. What is your personal history with anime? Which ones do you feel influenced your creative process?
SM: I actually got a lot of the influence from both Spike Lee’s 1995 film Clockers and Larry Clark’s KIDS. The anime that inspired me was Lupin the 3rd, Perfect Blue and Memories.
CBR: As I understand it, Tephlon Funk is at once a tribute and fusion of hip-hop and anime culture. Several anime projects in the past, such as Samurai Champloo and Netflix's Cannon Busters, have infused the two mediums together. Why do you feel the two so naturally complement each other that creatives both in the East and West keep combining them?
SM: It’s such a natural combination that always blends two different cultures so perfectly. They’re both disciplines in the arts that help people express themselves. However, I would like to see more Black anime series out there. I feel as though that fan base is largely ignored despite there being so many talented Black artists out there.
CBR: As a comic, I feel Tephlon Funk is already an incredibly cool project, but you have bigger plans for this. We understand that for a while you were partnered up with D'ART Shtajio to create an anime adaptation of the comic. How did this work out? Did you approach D'ART first or did they approach you?
SM: Arthell Isom and Henry Thurlow from D’ART Shtajio offered their services to animate the teaser and I figured why not? I was hoping that the teaser would help bring more attention to the project. It kind of backfired and everyone just assumed that the anime was in production and on its way.
CBR: Obviously, with every creative endeavor, there are several difficulties that arise along the way. What is the current status of Tephlon Funk as a project? What are you currently trying to do to help get this incredible project off the ground?
SM: Over the last three years, I’ve met with and spoke to several production companies that were going to fund the series. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, everything turned upside down and now we’re back to square one. With all the problems happening the world right now regarding Black Lives Matter and police brutality, as a Black creator, I believe that stories like Tephlon Funk need to happen. I feel as though we’re still not being heard.
CBR: Finally, what are your hopes with the Tephlon Funk project? Do you hope that it can inspire more creators to follow your path or carve their own unique creative path in the field of both independent comics and animation?
SM: I would love for Tephlon Funk to one day become an anime series. I hope that other Black artists and creators can aspire to create their own world and stories, that’s something I definitely want to see more of.