Kenshi Yonezu's "Plazma" MV Looks Like a Sci-Fi Blockbuster, Director Show Yanagisawa Reveals Practical Effects That Left Netizens Stunned: "Thought It Was CGI..."

Get ready, Gundam fans! The highly anticipated 2025 anime series, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX," is kicking things off with a bang. Its theatrical prequel, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX-Beginning-," features a theme song by none other than superstar vocalist Kenshi Yonezu. Yonezu recently opened up about his deep love for Gundam in a Japanese TV interview, even revealing his favorite Mobile Suit.

The official music video for his theme song, "Plazma," dropped recently, and it's an absolute visual feast. Fans were immediately captivated by its sci-fi movie aesthetic, especially Yonezu's ethereal, floating-in-water sequences, sparking widespread curiosity about how it was filmed. Director Show Yanagisawa took to his personal X account to spill the beans, revealing that the MV wasn't a CGI wonderland but a triumph of practical, handcrafted filmmaking!

▼ Dive into Kenshi Yonezu's official "Plazma" MV below:

Yanagisawa's behind-the-scenes breakdown shows the ingenious setup: to achieve that truly weightless, floating-in-water effect, they had to suspend an entire car from above, shooting downwards into a swimming pool.

▼ The shooting setup:

▼ On-set construction:

Even the background elements, like power lines and lighting fixtures, were meticulously set up by crew members who actually dove underwater. Their precise arrangement was key to creating that incredible sense of depth and perspective.

▼ And yes, they even managed to place this road backdrop underwater!

This full-scale, underwater set construction was the secret sauce, allowing the MV to capture Yonezu seemingly drifting through a sci-fi world from inside the car.

▼ Director Show Yanagisawa shared a behind-the-scenes video, noting that the MV shoot involved three days spent around the pool, calling it a "breakthrough beyond common sense."

Many netizens initially assumed the stunning visuals were all thanks to CGI. Imagine their shock when the MV team revealed it was all practical effects! This handcrafted approach allowed for a unique floating sensation that CGI simply couldn't replicate. Fans were blown away, exclaiming how they never imagined such a shoot was possible, especially with the underwater scenes creating such incredible depth. Talk about next-level professionalism!

Other netizens thought some special filming technique was at play, only to discover it was pure skill and sheer effort. The team truly pulled off an astonishing feat, pouring so much thought and effort into creating this mind-blowing, unexpectedly massive production. Their dedication is truly commendable!

This MV is an absolute masterclass, showcasing how dedicated professionals push boundaries and opt for practical, handcrafted effects to achieve the best possible results, ultimately crafting such a mesmerizing and dreamlike music video.

via: togetter