According to Variety, Daisy’s Life “follows the emotional journey of a six-year-old girl named Daisy, who loses her mother in a tragic accident and struggles to adapt to life with her aunt. One sleepless night, she encounters a mysterious girl named Dahlia at her window. Their days together begin to transcend time and space, bringing a cosmic perspective to Daisy’s modest life in a downtown yakisoba restaurant.” Yuasa is working on the screenplay with first-time animation writer Sachiko Tanaka (Before We Vanish). Nara is assisting with the character design. © 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved. The Business, Technology & Art Of Animation And VFX © 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved. The Business, Technology & Art Of Animation And VFX We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below. The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyse how you use this website, store your preferences, and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you. These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent. You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data. Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns. Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez made a surprise visit at the Mercer Island Little League 20th anniversary opening day… Mercer Island High School senior is headed to MIT this fall. Mercer Island High School’s Victoria and Sophia Rodriquez (top left, left to right) competed in the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays on… announces new anime Daisy’s Life‘While there are parts that are vividly scary by Toussaint Egan There was no word then as to what Yuasa’s next project would be On Monday, Yuasa announced that he would direct Daisy’s Life, a Japanese-French co-production with Miyu Productions (Ghost Cat Anzu) based on Banana Yoshimoto’s novel Hinagiku no Jinsei a six-year-old girl mourning the loss of her mother following tragic accident After meeting a strange girl named Dahlia at her window one night the pair embark on an adventure through space and time in search of hope “Even among the works of Ms. Banana Yoshimoto, this is a novel that evokes visual images throughout, and while there are parts that are vividly scary, the final passage is very happy, like something I had dreamed of in the past,” Yuasa said in a statement published by Variety “I would like to depict the life of the protagonist who works for a yakisoba restaurant in a downtown area with a 100-meter radius on a cosmic scale.” The best of Polygon in your inbox, every Friday. BAM and The Baffler are pleased to present the following screening of Masaaki Yuasa’s 2004 animated film Mind Game The DEA’s Drug Fact Sheet warns that ketamine can take you to “K-Land,” producing a “mellow & colorful” out-of-body experience and it’s never mellow—but something in Yuasa’s animation epitomizes K-Land and drifting camera; its hero even floats out of his body at one point grotesque kaleidoscope is as close as you’ll come to Ketamine: The Motion Picture Mind Game will be introduced by Dan Piepenbring, who considers both the current ketamine vogue and the nineteenth-century fascination with nitrous and ether in his article “K-Pop,” his contribution to our latest issue, “Altered States.” Get your tickets now In a media environment that tolerates tail-chasing The Baffler is a rare publication willing to shake the pundit class free of their own worst impulses But running a charitable organization of this magnitude requires serious dough and subscriptions only cover a fraction of our costs we rely on the good will of generous readers like you So if you like the article you just read—or hate it so you can ridicule us online for years to come—please consider making a one-time donation to The Baffler Bucket Hat / $30 Yuasa Battery is celebrating its 45th year of doing business in North America But the story of this major powersports battery manufacturer started more than a century ago Yuasa supplies about 80% of batteries for the major OEMs Shichizaemon Yuasa founded a company in Japan to make storage batteries for industrial applications Yuasa began expanding into the motorcycle industry the company was establishing manufacturing plants outside of Japan well on its way to becoming the leading powersports battery manufacturer it is today Yuasa entered the North American market in 1979 introducing its first conventional battery that same year it launched the world’s first maintenance-free AGM battery The company launched the YTZ Series of more powerful and compact AGM batteries in 1999 it introduced the GYZ Series to address the increasing need for aftermarket accessories and OEM electronics Yuasa produces AGM powersports batteries in its Laureldale produces batteries for a range of applications Source: American Rider and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences More information about our Cookie Policy on our Privacy Policy Yuasa started as a key animator for such anime as Doraemon: Nobita's Animal Planet and The Legend of the Dog Warriors: The Hakkenden. He moved on to Crayon Shin-chan where he was animation director on a number of episodes, and did animation work on the franchise films Sources: Asmik Ace, Variety (Jamie Lang), ame pippin website ame pippin‘In this era of dramatic change we hope to move forward with a steady yet flexible approach’ In a statement released to Variety Yuasa addressed his intentions with creating this new studio we hope to move forward with a steady yet flexible approach We deeply appreciate your guidance and support and we would be truly grateful for any opportunity to collaborate with you.” In the seven years he served as Science Saru’s president, Yuasa produced several of the studio’s best known works, including Ping Pong The Animation, Devilman Crybaby, and Keep Your Hands off Eizouken! Yuasa did not share any news yet about his or ame pippin’s current projects, though we can likely expect an announcement sometime within the next year. the award-winning animation writer and director known for feature films such as Inu-Oh has joined forces with prodcos ASMIK Ace (Tekkonkinkreet) Aniplex (Demon Slayer) and CoMix Wave Films (Your Name.) to form a new Tokyo-based anime studio collective According to the studio’s website (amepippin.com), Yuasa serves as CEO & Co-Founder. The filmmaker wrote by way of introduction on the site: We are hoping that our new studio will be a place for new opportunities and a fresh creative environment. As a collective, we will make steady progress, maintain quick turnarounds and flexibility, and foster joy in creativity. The next chapter of film and media entertainment starts here!” Yuasa previously co-founded the studio Science SARU with produce Eunyoung choi in 2013, which produced his recent feature films and series (like DEVILMAN crybaby, Ping Pong) as well as other projects by other creators, including Typhoon Noruda, Tatami Time Machine Blues, Dandadan, The Heike Story, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and The Colors Within. Yuasa stepped down as President of Science SARU in 2020. Yuasa has also been recognized by the Japanese government with the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Cabinet Minister Award for Media Fine Arts and the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon. GKIDS and Shout! Factory released a five-film box set collection of Yuasa’s feature works in December of 2023. Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb Entertainment news website Variety reported on Monday that Masaaki Yuasa will direct a new anime film titled Daisy's Life. The film will be a Japanese-French co-production at Yuasa's new studio ame pippin Yuasa launched the ame pippin studio in February in collaboration with ASMIK Ace, Aniplex, and CoMix Wave Films The studio's website lists Yuasa as CEO and co-founder Yuasa started as a key animator for such anime as Doraemon: Nobita's Animal Planet and The Legend of the Dog Warriors: The Hakkenden. He moved on to Crayon Shin-chan where he was animation director on a number of episodes and did animation work on the franchise films Source: Variety (Jamie Lang) By 2025-02-18T12:06:00+00:00 whose rock musical Inu-Oh premiered at Venice has launched Tokyo-based animation studio Ame Pippin The company will aim to be “a place for new opportunities and a fresh creative environment,” according to Yuasa The animation studio was founded with backing from Japanese production company and distributor Asmik Ace which produced Inu-Oh; Sony subsidiary Aniplex; and Comix Wave Films the animation studio known for producing the films of Makoto Shinkai (Your Name) Yuasa made his feature directorial debut in 2004 with highly acclaimed manga adaptation Mind Game at Studio 4°C later making 2017 feature The Night Is Short which played several festivals and won best animation film at the Japanese Academy Awards the director won best film at Annecy with mermaid adventure Lu Over The Wall and won best animated feature at Fantasia and Shanghai in 2019 with romance Ride Your Wave Yuasa’s most recent feature was 2021’s Inu-Oh which premiered at Venice Horizons before winning best animated feature at Fantasia and securing a Golden Globe nomination The filmmaker has also worked internationally directing an episode of the US animated series Adventure Time securing nominations at the Annie Awards and Annecy for his episode Yuasa teamed with producer Eunyoung Choi to co-found animation studio Science Saru Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and episodes of Star Wars: Visions He stepped down as CEO in 2020 and the studio was acquired last year by Toho The extended version of Anselm Chan’s ‘The Last Dance’ also picked up two awards The project is directed by Tyrone Acierto and produced by Wilfredo Manalang of Venice Critics’ Week winner ‘Don’t Cry Butterfly’ The deal aims to encourage more creative and cultural collaboration between the two countries Warner Bros’ A Minecraft Movie dominated the month with Gaumont’s Once Upon My Mother the top local film Golshifteh Farahani and Mélissa Boros star in Ducournau’s latest feature Screen International is the essential resource for the international film industry access to the Screen International archive and supplements including Stars of Tomorrow and World of Locations Site powered by Webvision Cloud PARIS -- Japan's b-girl Ami won gold at the Olympics ' first breaking event by spinning flipping and toprocking past a field of 16 dancers Friday in a high-energy competition that may not return for future Games won all three rounds in a battle against b-girl Nicka (Dominika Banevič) from Lithuania to clinch the gold wrapping up a long day of breakers putting hip-hop culture on the Olympic stage with their flow rhythm and skill at Place de la Concorde stadium but I want to say that breaking also could be part of sports." B-girls stunned the crowd with power moves like headspins Fans remained energetic throughout the competition which began in the afternoon and ended just before 10 p.m eight b-girls from the original 17 squared off in knockout battles of three rounds each to narrow down to the finals and China's b-girl 671 (Liu Qingyi) took the bronze after battling with b-girl India (India Sardjo) from the Netherlands to "Boom!" by The Roots Liu is a relative newcomer to the breaking scene "Olympics needed breaking because it's like a breath of fresh air," Banevič said "Such a big amount of people saw breaking for the first time And I'm happy that I was able to represent at the highest level of the art form for breaking." American disappointment at Olympic breaking Both American b-girls were eliminated in the first round a blow to the country representing the birthplace of hip-hop and breaking culture B-girl Logistx (legal name Logan Edra) and b-girl Sunny (Sunny Choi) both ranked in the top 12 internationally but came up short of the quarterfinals "I feel like I still shined and I feel like I still represented the dance and had some moments," Logistx said Breaking makes its Olympic debut A panel of nine judges all b-boys and b-girls in their own right from around the world scored the breakers based on the Trivium judging system: on technique musicality and originality -- each accounts for 20% of the final score Each of the b-girls began by catching the beat as they danced while on their feet -- a series called "toprocking" -- before launching into their footwork moves on the floor The soundtrack to their routines was a surprise for each of them as two DJs spun records on a turntable set up behind the judges in a nod to the musical root of breaking -- the breakbeat itself -- which is the moment when a song's vocals drop and the DJ loops the beat over and over That allows b-boys and b-girls to make their mark on the dance floor Breaking is judged qualitatively because of its roots as an art form and judges use a sliding scale to score each round and battle adjusting the scale towards the breaker who is winning in each of the above criteria two emcees respond to the personalities and signature moves of each of the breakers to hype up the crowd The challenge for organizers was to bring breaking and hip-hop culture to a mass audience including many viewers who were skeptical about the dance form's addition to the Olympic roster there's no doubting the athletic ability and physicality breakers had to make sure to showcase their style and individuality -- essential to the culture of hip-hop and breaking 33 breakers representing 15 countries and the Refugee Olympic Team made Olympic history on Friday the b-boys take the stage in what might be their only shot to battle it out for god at the Olympics in the foreseeable future Breaking was added as an Olympic sport for Paris but it is not on the slate for Los Angeles in 2028 American rapper Snoop Dogg made a grand entrance into the stadium to the soundtrack of "Drop it Like it's Hot," prompting cheers and dancing in the stands The emcees introduced the 17 b-girls competing on Friday received the loudest applause from the crowd Please enable JavaScript to view this page correctly The movie is ame pippin's first production Daisy’s Life is based on a 2000 novel by Banana Yoshimoto, titled Hinagiku no Jinsei in Japanese and illustrated by Yoshitomo Nara. Karen Lee who translated the novel for their honors thesis describes it as “the story of a young woman named Daisy (Hinagiku) who cooks at an okonomiyaki and yakisoba shop the novel explores themes of death and loss through Daisy’s relationships with her mother and childhood best friend The film will apparently be a little different; as per Variety the anime’s Daisy is a six-year-old who encounters “a mysterious girl named Dahlia at her window Their days together begin to transcend time and space bringing a cosmic perspective to Daisy’s modest life in a downtown yakisoba restaurant.” this is a novel that evokes visual images throughout and while there are parts that are vividly scary like something I had dreamed of in the past I would like to depict the life of the protagonist who works for a yakisoba restaurant in a downtown area with a 100-meter radius on a cosmic scale.” The Daisy’s Life film will be written by Sachiko Tanaka (Sue Variety also reports that Nara “will lend his distinct artistic style to the childhood character designs adding a touch of emotional realism to the film’s dreamlike tone.” Also involved with the film’s production are Asmik Ace, Inc. and France’s Miyu Productions. Miyu Productions has previously collaborated with Japanese partners on titles like Ghost Cat Anzu, Yamanaka Sadao ni Sasageru Manga Eiga “Nezumi Kozou Jirokichi,” and the upcoming A New Dawn The latter also features a collaboration between the Asmik Ace and Miyu Productions who are listed in the animation production credits with Studio Outrigger It is unknown if their production credits on Daisy’s Life are similar or of the non-animation production kind which is involved with the investment and distribution of motion pictures has ties with ame pippin as one of the entities involved with its founding the others being Aniplex and CoMix Wave Films CNN’s Will Ripley travels to the town of Yuasa where soy sauce has been made for hundreds of years He learns how to make the condiment at family-run business Kadocho '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" One of the most horrifying diving accidents in recent memory is now the basis for a new movie were pulled away with the ship and unable to rescue him who directed both the documentary and the movie breaks down the heart-pounding true story: Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox What happened to Chris Lemons in the movie 'Last Breath'?Because of the ship’s computer malfunction it took more than half an hour for systems to reset and for the crew to locate Lemons whose eyes were closed and limbs appeared motionless By the time he was pulled back up into the diving bell and everyone onboard assumed they were recovering his body Lemons quickly woke up after Allcock performed CPR while an emotional Yuasa looked on His first sentence after regaining consciousness: “Dave … you OK?” Although that may seem too Hollywood perfect “they really were (his first words),” Parkinson says Because of Lemons’ inherently caring nature “he really came to and immediately thought What happened?’ It’s a beautiful movie moment A title card at the end of the film notes that researchers have no scientific explanation for how Lemons managed to survive that long without oxygen “Three minutes without oxygen is generally when you start getting brain damage,” Parkinson says “It’s not only remarkable that he survived that amount of time without oxygen While Parkinson says there is “no definitive answer,” he has spoken extensively with neurosurgeons and anesthetists about the topic He believes that the right combination of factors helped keep Lemons’ vitals stable and he would’ve died of hypothermia,” Parkinson says So talking about the insanely good luck of it I personally think he ran out of gas at precisely the right point of when his body temperature was at the right moment to be able to slip into stasis.” Just three weeks after his near-death experience Lemons and his co-workers went back underwater to finish the repair job they had set out to do He is now a dive supervisor and continues to work on the same ship where the accident occurred “It was very important for him to get back on the horse which is a rubbish analogy when you talk about being underwater,” Parkinson jokes “But it was very important for Dave and Duncan as well It closed that (chapter) for them psychologically so they could move on – it’s truly amazing.” expressing a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 13.80% between 2024 and 2032 Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most reusable batteries in modern electronics due to their high capacity and lightweight during charging and charging lithium ions are transferred to batteries between the positive and negative electrodes Lithium-ion batteries are needed to power devices and technologies It is commonly found in consumer electronics they play an important role in the electric vehicle industry where they power a growing number of electric cars Lithium-ion batteries are also an important part of renewable energy storage helping to store solar and wind energy for later use electrical equipment and aerospace applications making it one of the most versatile and important energy storage technologies worldwide.Driving Forces of the Lithium-Ion Battery Market Rising Electric Vehicle (EV) AdoptionIncreasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is a major driver of the lithium-ion battery market Governments around the world are pushing to reduce carbon emissions leading to a transition to electricity transmission lithium-ion batteries are important because of their high capacity and efficiency demand for lithium-ion batteries has increased improved battery technologies and falling costs are expected to fuel this trend further making lithium-ion batteries the mainstay of transportation Spanish manufacturing and energy group Acciona Focuses on: managing price and driving too much.Growth in Renewable Energy StorageThe global foray towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind has made adequate energy storage of paramount importance Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in energy storage systems because they store large amounts of energy and discharge them efficiently so does the demand for lithium-ion batteries to store the excess energy produced by solar panels or wind turbines These batteries help stabilize the energy supply by ensuring that electricity is available even when renewable sources are unable to provide power.Technological Advancements and Cost ReductionContinuous advancement in lithium-ion battery technology is driving the market growth make these batteries more attractive for a variety of applications while simultaneously economic growth and technological advances reduce costs cost on manufacturing making lithium-ion batteries more expensive more efficient batteries can lead to more widespread adoption advances in materials science are bringing Li-S batteries closer to widespread use large energy -in areas such as storage.Europe Lithium-Ion Battery MarketThe European lithium-ion battery market is growing rapidly driven by increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) renewable energy storage and advances in portable electronics A strong EU push the strong move towards carbon neutrality by 2050 has accelerated the adoption of EVs which rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries government incentives and investments in renewable energy are increasing the need for efficient energy storage systems France and the UK lead the way in battery production advances in battery technology and cost reductions are further expanding the fuel market across Europe This sector is crucial for European energy security reduce changes.Germany Lithium-Ion Battery MarketThe German lithium-ion battery market is expanding rapidly thanks to the country's focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy Germany is rapidly making the transition to EVs Large German automakers such as Volkswagen and BMW are investing heavily in battery development and research The country's push for renewable energy has also increased the need for energy storage solutions investments in green technologies and advancements in battery efficiency are key factors shaping this booming market the first production line is currently under construction at Neuenheim with delivery of modularly expandable DC high-voltage storage systems by mid-July.Middle East Lithium-Ion Battery MarketThe Middle East lithium-ion battery market is growing driven by the growing demand for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs) Countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly investing in clean energy projects increasing the need for efficient energy storage powered by lithium-ion batteries Government policies promote growth sustainability EV adoption and encouraging technological advancements are going to drive the market advances in battery technology and lower manufacturing costs support the project's transition to green energy solutions.Saudi Arabia Lithium-Ion Battery MarketThe Saudi Arabian lithium-ion battery market is expanding rapidly driven by the country's Vision 2030 strategy which emphasizes renewable energy adoption and sustainable development as Saudi Arabia diversifies its solar and wind mix Lithium-ion batteries play an important role in energy storage in industry growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is fuelling demand for lithium-ion batteries in transportation including investment in green technologies and infrastructure Technological advances and partnerships with global battery manufacturers continue to drive acceptance of lithium-ion batteries in various regions of the kingdom In June 2024 will launch a new 100-year-old manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries updated its global anode expansion strategy with positive results from the technical economic evaluation of a proposed battery anode plant in Saudi Arabia.Global Lithium-Ion Battery Company AnalysisThe key players in Lithium-Ion Battery industry are BYD Company Ltd. and Exide Technologies.Global Lithium-Ion Battery Company NewsMay 2024 - In Paradip the JSW Group declared its intention to build a 60,000-ton lithium-ion refinery and cell production plant A technological collaboration with a top Chinese company will enable this This action is in line with the growing trend of Indian and international businesses looking to capitalize on China's leadership in electric vehicle battery technology JSW hopes to gain a substantial portion of the Indian electric vehicle industry signifying a deliberate shift in strategy towards environmentally friendly and independent auto manufacturing.January 2024 - Prior to the end of 2025 declared its intention to run a gigafactory the business started construction on one of its first gigafactories Up to 16 GWh of lithium cells and 5 GWh of battery packs are anticipated to be produced at the factory.August 2023 - By 2026 Reliance Industries Limited intended to build a gigafactory for lithium-ion batteries in India It is anticipated that the battery production facility will be located in Jamnagar near the Dhirubhai Green Energy Giga Complex It's probably going to be built to make battery chemistries For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/t77nfg About ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed Actor Simu Liu has taken on some physically challenging roles, from killer fight sequences in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, to extended dance numbers as one of the Kens in Barbie Last Breath is based on the true story of three deep-sea divers (also known as saturation or "sat" divers) who were on a routine dive in the North Sea in 2012 when rough weather and computer errors resulted in one of the divers becoming trapped underwater Sat divers typically work at the bottom of the sea performing routine maintenance or repair on pipelines or other underwater structures Liu says it was evident from the start that the shoot "wasn't going to be a cakewalk." He had to learn the basics of recreational scuba — and then they had to relearn everything in the capacity of saturation divers "The living conditions of these saturation divers is just so unlike anything I think that is really out there in the world except for maybe like an astronaut living in space," Liu says "In order for those divers to be able to operate that far beneath the sea level because of the differential and atmospheric pressure they actually have to live in a pressurized kind of tube on board a ship for 28 days." the divers enter a "bell structure," which is lowered down to the correct depth they're hooked up to the bell and then to the surface of the ship through an "umbilical" that feeds them all of their gas and their heat and their power And then they'll conduct the required maintenance work on the bottom of the sea for eight hour shifts at a time "There's nothing glamorous about this job," Liu says there are many 'sat' divers that are available to us over the course of shooting this movie .. but the one thing that we found in common with all of them is just how much they loved it Liu's first big break was in the CBC/Netflix comedy Kim's Convenience We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story explores his family's immigration to Canada and the challenges of being an Asian Canadian in Hollywood On the challenge of shooting the underwater scenes   but in a way it was really nice to be able to immerse ourselves to that degree especially in this industry [where] it's become increasingly easy to lie to the audience making it very easy for actors to not really have to do anything or to exist in very comfortable situations We knew that we were going to have to do a significant portion of this film underwater and or in these really We had a tank in Malta that was about 40 feet deep we'd go down into the water and we'd communicate ahead of time exactly the shots that we wanted to get it was really nice for us to actually go out and do it being raised by his grandparents while his parents were in Canada  but I do remember we had this tiny little ramshackle apartment in Harbin There wasn't running water for many parts of the day … I remember this overwhelming sense of safety and belonging with my grandparents it was very uncomfortable for me and a lot for me to accept because I had my family and I loved my grandparents more than anything very vividly remember watching him step through the door for the first time … I very clearly remember my grandparents looking at me and saying Go to him." And I just remember being like On the huge adjustment of living together  When you have parents who weren't necessarily present in your formative years like that's when a lot of your personality is solidified there's bound to be a little bit of distance I was effectively adopted by my own biological parents they also weren't necessarily in the rhythm of child care To have one day no kid and then overnight have a 5-year-old just dropped into your life I think growing up there was definitely some tougher times for us to get along On how getting fired from his accounting job at Deloitte started his acting career  I had something like 47 missed calls and I was like That was the end of my very short lived career as an accountant But I was very lucky to kind of book a couple of things very quickly … I was waking up every day really motivated to go out and look for work and I was just kind of experiencing this entirely new version of myself because my whole life I thought that I was just a lazy and I thought that I wasn't a great student because I wasn't a hard worker And all of a sudden I was kind of pleasantly surprised by how motivated and hardworking I could be I just knew that there was something to that I obviously kept it from my parents for a very long time And I got an agent in Toronto and it was off to the races On the lasting effects of doing a job as a stock photo model  I was doing everything that I could to pursue my dream and to fuel my passion So one of those things was to be a stock photo model and I'm sure I didn't realize the full consequences of my actions at the time … But I remember it paid 100 bucks for a day of work I pointed at computers and smiled at people and then I thought that would be it you basically sign away your rights to the images in perpetuity And the stock photo company can basically take those images and just sell them over and over and over and over again I've probably made that company like hundreds of thousands of dollars and have not seen a single penny So let that be a warning to anybody who's considering pursuing a career in stock imagery You will end up in random places and your friends will make fun of you endlessly for it On how Kim's Convenience was a turning point for his career and his relationship to his parents  23 years old and deciding that I was going to be an actor that catalyzed a moment of extreme tension with my parents And so we would not speak to each other for long periods of time very difficult for my parents to understand that choice and I'd watched the stage play before auditioning for the show but the play left me in tears because it really the first time that I had seen that parent/child dynamic play out on stage and was so true to life it was so relatable to what I had been through and what I was going through even in that moment that I was just overwhelmed And I remember sitting in my seat crying and realizing that that's what it felt like to have art that you could connect with Getting to play Jung and getting to act out his dynamic with [his parents] helped me make a lot of sense of what my parents are going through And I think that actually set the stage for a reconciliation quite nicely not only in that it gave me consistent work as an actor and made my parents actually kind of realized that I was going to do this which I will always be so endlessly grateful for On performing the "I'm Just Ken" musical number at the Oscars in 2024 It's a number and a character that begs 100% commitment and not a drop less It'll go with me for the rest of my life as one of my core memories a bit of a [mess] in the lead up to the performance [for] the main backup Kens We were kind of brought on relatively late in the process So our first rehearsal was the Thursday before And then we show up to the Dolby Center on Friday to do kind of like a blocking rehearsal and we realized that the choreography is completely changed and we're like … We show up Saturday for the dress rehearsal and the choreography is completely changed again … It didn't go poorly so much as it just didn't go delivered one of the all time greatest performances that the Oscars has ever seen and ever will see Lauren Krenzel and Anna Bauman produced and edited this interview for broadcast Molly Seavy-Nesper and Beth Novey adapted it for the web Become an NPR sponsor Born in Saitama, Japan, in 2008, Yuasa Ami is one of Japan's top breaking athletes. Her older sister introduced her to hip-hop music when she was six, and eventually grew to love breaking. She chose her given name Ami as her B-Girl name. Ami is known for her footwork and flow. In addition to getting to be herself, and express her feelings through her sport using her wide array of power moves and cleanly executed tricks, breaking has also transformed her as a person, as she went from being a nervous shy girl to a confident athlete. Some of Ami's early teachers include Japan's Katsu-One, Taisuke, and Wata. Ami burst onto the scene in 2016 when she won a doubles competition with her sister, Ayu. But her first big victory came in 2018, winning the BC One World Final. In 2019, she won the WDSF World Breaking Championships, a title she would claim again in 2022. She would also win another BC One World Final, in 2023. Additionally, she took a silver medal at breaking's debut at the Asian Games in 2023 in Hangzhou, before winning the WDSF Breaking For Gold World Series. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Acclaimed Japanese anime director Masaaki Yuasa known for directing series like Ping Pong the Animation has announced the launch of his new animation studio is backed by major industry players Asmik Ace all of whom bring extensive experience in animation production and distribution widely regarded for his bold and unconventional storytelling has been an important figure in the animation industry for decades he began his career in the late 1980s as an animator and storyboard artist for series like Chibi Maruko-chan and Crayon Shin-chan he developed a reputation for pushing animation boundaries with experimental storytelling and distinct visual styles His major works include:Mind Game (2004)Kemonozume (2006)Kaiba (2008)The Tatami Galaxy (2010)Ping Pong the Animation (2014)Devilman Crybaby (2018)Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020)Inu-Oh (2021)Yuasa co-founded Science SARU, which was recently acquired by Toho serving as its president before stepping down in 2020 titled “Food Chain” (2014).His works have screened at major festivals like Annecy and Cannes winning prestigious awards such as the Japan Media Arts Festival Grand Prize In recognition of his artistic contributions he received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government ALSO READ:Sanda Anime by Science SARU Reveals Action-Packed First Trailer, Cast, Fall 2025 Release DateRegarding the new studio “We are hoping that our new studio will be a place for new opportunities and a fresh creative environment.As a collective, we will make steady progress, maintain quick turnarounds and flexibility, and foster joy in creativity.The next chapter of film and media entertainment starts here!”Asmik Ace confirmed their involvement on their official X account announcing their partnership with Aniplex and CoMix Wave Films in supporting Yuasa’s new creative endeavor Source: Masaaki Yuasa on X, ame pippin Official WebsiteFeatured image:The Tatami Galaxy ©The Tatami Galaxy CommitteePing Pong the Animation © Taiyou Matsumoto Shogakukan / PingPong The Animation CommitteeDevilman Crybaby © Go Nagai-Devilman Crybaby ProjectKeep Your Hands Off Eizouken Shogakukan / Eizouken Committee© ame pippin Inc Q : The film begins with a character Kaoru who has already passed away and the way she was told who she was by those around her a friend of mine who was about my same age passed away several years ago but I could not find any answer myself as to why people die—either at the funeral or afterwards Since I am doing this type of work(as a filmmaker) I have a desire to find a solution to this question by constructing a film and a book (screenplay) of my own with whom I had worked on previous short movies together that I really wanted to make a movie on this theme The logline for the film says that a woman passed away and left a will I told him that it was her will said that her ex-husband would be a pallbearer at her funeral Nishi if he would attempt to create a feature film regarding it This was roughly seven years ago during this period Q: So it took quite a long time to get into production Noriko Yuasa : We initially planned to collaborate with a producer who lives in New York New York had been experiencing a lot of hardship I was contemplating the idea of producing and directing at that moment told me she would want to become the chief producer The reason it took as long as it did is because of that How did you end up making a joint production with Spain and Singapore Noriko Yuasa: When I make an original feature film project I always think that co-production is the way to go it would have been the norm to shoot and produce films with Japanese staff and Japanese financing things were not going to change by themselves and when I went abroad to make short films and participate in film festivals I comprehended that in countries other than Japan filmmakers see co-production as a standard practice I felt that there was no reason why I should not do it and in order to make a Japanese funeral film the art design and cast could not be non-Japanese Our objective was to find skilled individuals for both the technical and music departments but we ultimately requested that they be from Barcelona We began there and subsequently our producer and Joan(Vilà) chose to collaborate since they already had a relationship this project is part of the TIFFCOM market of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) TGF (Tokyo Finance Market) was a multi-content market that was attached to TIFF and aimed to connect content holders with co-production companies with financing from different countries included in the project Our film was one of the two selected on the Japanese side for the first festival and we were also selected for the Tokyo Film Festival So after talking with people from companies in about 30 countries in a Zoom meeting we decided to work with a company called 108 Media from Singapore the main character interacts with a funeral director Did you do a lot of research on funeral directors beforehand Thanks to the support of various companies and local governments after about two years of location hunting in preparation for the film I was introduced to various locations by funeral directors and a strange kind of connection and community developed there were those who primarily operated a ceremonial hall and those who primarily dealt with private funerals There are various approaches to thinking nowadays and each funeral director was very clear about their stance the important thing is that each funeral director has his or her own thoughts and feelings about the people he or she is sending home I was very grateful that I was able to understand how each funeral director felt about sending people home they are also involved in the Buddhist rituals and other matters related to the life and death of the deceased and they also have the important role of protecting the graves of those who die people from various religious sects were able to talk to us and teach us and her face was covered in bruises and blood makeup was applied to her face and she was sent off in a clean and beautiful way Noriko Yuasa: I think this is the first part you mentioned but embalming is something that can really make a person’s body revive their flesh The person who touched up Kaoru was the person who was really doing the embalming and they told me that they would rather have me use their facilities as they are than make something up rather than making things up.” We were allowed to work with the real results Q: The film that I saw has a very interesting accent in the use of sound when there is a lot of information being exchanged in a hurry there is the sound of a clock or a wind chime What kind of discussions did you have with the composer from Spain prior to make this film Noriko Yuasa:  This process was actually a story that took a very This music department itself is usually very good at making grand I told them that I thought the theme of the music this time was absurdity and we talked about how to choose the instruments that best fit the absurdity and what would be the best way to depict that melody and I spent at least a month there discussing these issues we decided that percussion would be the best choice Q: The cast members in the film are not actors that we are familiar with but I felt that each one of them played their roles with great care and what kind of rehearsals did you do prior to making the film my only wish—or rather my only hope—regarding casting was to have an audition instead of an offer casting The reason for this is that I wanted to work on this ensemble piece with wonderful and powerful actors regardless of their fame or if they were unknown since it is an ensemble drama with Kaoru playing a key role we sought out the appropriate individuals to portray and express these characters So we had about 1,000 people gather in Tokyo I had to wait for about two years before the shooting so I had already given the script to everyone and they had read it so well that I had nothing to say to them I guess you could call it a timeline of life: I had given a timeline of a character’s life to each of the cast members so they had really read and prepared for the show over the course of two years I didn’t have anything special to say to them and when the time came for the costume fitting we talked about it and rehearsed on the set I think we have  a really wonderful team of actors which is being held at the Japan Society in New York this time will be seen by both Japanese residents and non-Japanese New Yorkers but one major one is about  the public image of Japanese people: that they are very polite and do not change their facial expressions much Many of the key visuals in the film contribute to this image and feature stylistic beauty in contrast to the many works that are comprehensive I think that this work is the complete opposite and they make a big fuss about wanting to answer your questions But what I wanted to portray was that this is what I think is normal for Japanese people I hope that you will feel something of the ordinary things that happen in life: death One thing I remember very well is a scene where there is a huge fight on the night of the wake our cinematographer and lighting team were all from Barcelona so even though they knew most of those words that’s not what they were laughing about I guess what they were saying is the universal basis of your hometown and the sociality of the place where you were born and raised The other thing is that I made this film because I wanted to somehow answer the question of why people die and I am sure that everyone will have their own answer I don’t mind not knowing the answer after all… The producer involved with Kaoru’s drama states that in Japan scripts without an original story are not acceptable What do you think is lacking in current Japanese films and what do you desire to change and the part of the line that he (the producer) was talking about is what I definitely think so I definitely think it is exactly as it is and it is neither more nor less than words But I would like to add that I don’t think it’s just because it’s a movie more than half of my time has been spent making things for television but I have also been thinking about the current economic situation and the importance of film and television in our society I believe that there should be more diversity in the way films and TV are made such as the cost of advertising and other economic issues I think it is just going against the times to continue doing things one way and for decades I think it’s fine to have that way of doing things I think it is fine to have other ways of doing things but I think we should try our best to find other ways of doing things now—or rather now that we are already behind the times It is my hope that my generation and others must go out and find new ways of doing things with the vigor of digging a well with a tsuruhashi (a pick-like tool with a pointed tip and a long protruding head on either side connected at right angles to the handle portion) the soil of Japan will become a global arena in which people from all walks of life can come up with different ways of doing things I don’t know what the reality will be This film also does not have a Tokyo-based company in it and if this had been approached via the Tokyo-based production committee system I was able to make this film with this quality because it was an international co-production in Okayama I definitely would not have been able to do it otherwise and I don’t think it would have been possible if it had not become a film in my own way it was from the last competition of a major project I don’t want to say that just because I couldn’t make it at that time—it is okay to say that I can’t So I think it would be good if society could be more tolerant and diverse in its way of thinking I will work to find a method to continue creating I think it would be good if we could create a society that is tolerant and diverse in this way of thinking if a person has talent and thinks a  project is interesting he or she should be able to move the project forward I think the answer to this question is that in Japan and I think it is very intolerable that no one can do it without the so-called original work or without the original manga Q: I think there are many good Japanese films at Japan Cuts and the New York Asian Film Festival held at Lincoln Center Noriko Yuasa: I am glad to hear that there is hope I think it’s better to think that we are on the precipice But my own experience is that I really think we are already at the edge of a cliff Check out more of Nobuhiro’s articles  that is based on an autobiographical manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto best known for Chainsaw Man: Look Back The picture is directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama He adapted the 143-page one-shot web manga that was published on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ and that @Japan Society Synopsis : An international co-production bringing together a Japanese Under the Turquoise Sky from director KENTARO follows the spoiled Takeshi (played by Japanese star Yuya Yagira) who is sent out to the Mongolian countryside by his wealthy grandfather (legendary actor and Butoh master Akaji Maro) The first thought that comes to mind with the term “Blue Period” is Picasso’s body of work that spans from 1901 to 1904 which had a prevalence use of blue-green shades is not about the established Spanish painter of the 20th century ©Courtesy of Japan Cuts The title of the most “kawaii” film from this year’s Japan Cuts undoubtedly goes to director Tetsuya Chihara‘s debut feature This innovative film intricately depicts the intersecting longings and obsessions of four women living in Tokyo The project showcases Chihara’s keen artistic vision of finding beauty in… @Courtesy of Peacock Poker face :Starring Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale the casino worker with an uncanny ability to spot liars the show follows her escapades as she evades the dangerous casino head of security Cliff LeGrand (portrayed by Benjamin Bratt) and uncovers various killers Charlie’s back on the lam after a new twist of… ©Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics  Director Gareth Evans has hinted that he may indeed be making a third installment in The Raid series following up on the original release in 2011 and its 2014 sequel The Raid 2.The filmmaker was quoted in Entertainment Weekly as saying,… Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning‘s underwater scenes were filmed by Tom Cruise and film crew members The upcoming film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt ©Courtesy of Rolling Pictures Fighting against any obstacle in order to report the news without fear of death or reprisal is an admirable sign of the world’s most courageous journalists is a prime example of such an innovative writer Her story is chronicled in the new biographical movie,… Y"},"category":false,"taxonomy":{"active":false,"name":"category"}},"markup":{"custom_html":true,"wpp-start":"","wpp-end":"<\/ul>","title-start":"","title-end":"<\/h2>","post-html":"{thumb} {title} {stats}<\/span><\/li>"},"theme":{"name":""}} If you like our contents, please subscribe our news letter! by Jeffrey Parkin It is part of Junjiro’s quest on The League board on your Objectives menu Our Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide will tell you how to complete “Soup for Sorin” including where to find the merchant and how to choose the correct ingredient The timing of when you get the “Soup for Sorin” quest isn’t set You’ll get it after you complete Junjiro’s previous quests “A Different Kind of Samurai” and “Secrets of the Blade” (as Yasuke) it’s worth waiting until you’re prepared for the region He says he’s in Kii to try their soy sauce and that he already has mochi and daikon — this matters because it changes your shopping list Junjiro will decide that the perfect ingredient that he is missing is brown like a dirt path and from the sea He’ll ask you to get some shoyu and one ingredient that is brown and comes from the sea You just have to find a merchant that sells it Your objective will tell you that the merchant is in Yuasa If you’re like us and kind of zone out whenever Junjiro is involved you might have missed that you’re already in Yuasa the name Yuasa doesn’t show up on the map unless you’re really zoomed in.) Long story short the merchant is about 250 meters to the north-northwest along the main road the ornament vendor will sell several ingredients along with the usual Hideout items so this is the test of how well you remember your conversation with Junjiro Buy the konbu dried kelp and the shoyu soy sauce Based on the ingredients for sale at the merchant and Junjiro’s requirements You’ll also need to give him the shoyu that he came to Kii for in the first place Even if you choose incorrectly, you’ll get the hay supply outdoor cosmetic for your Hideout and some XP Yuasa Battery has announced Rio Okubo as president and CEO succeeding Yuuka Moriya after five years with the company in Laureldale With over 25 years in the battery industry Okubo started his career in OEM sales at Yuasa Corporation Japan where he was in charge of Japanese OEMs with Honda being one of his major clients in Japan and globally He then became an international salesman with GS Yuasa Japan and worked with manufacturers such as BMW He has previously worked for Yuasa Battery in America as the OE Sales Manager where he aided in expanding the Yuasa GYZ series product range “I am really excited to be back again with Yuasa Battery and returning once again to the U.S. to be joining members of our Yuasa Team who all play a role in making products that help enthusiasts all over the world enjoy their powersport vehicles to their full potential,” he says while the powersports market may not be growing at an exponential rate it is a stable industry backed by innovation and technology. “I think COVID-19 was a huge blow to the U.S and Yuasa went through a difficult time as well,” he says “We were not able to manufacture and ship enough product which caused inconvenience and disappointment to our customers and machinery while evolving our processes to provide the quality Yuasa has come to be known for.” An early initiative of Okubo’s action plan is to continue expanding involvement within the powersports enthusiast community Yuasa Battery will be a premier sponsor of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Rally in South Dakota later this summer “There is a unique and adventure-seeking bond formed between riders I think it’s because people are looking for passion and fun,” he says “I also believe that these people will share their enjoyment with their families and friends Yuasa is grateful to the organizers at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for this opportunity.” has been manufacturing powersports batteries in the United States since 1979 The company shares that it is the largest American manufacturer and distributor of batteries for motorcycles the Kyoto-based Japanese battery manufacturer with experience from lead-acid and lithium-ion battery chemistry for a variety of vehicles announced a new order of a 50MWh lithium-ion battery storage system for the Tsunokobaru Power Storage Station in Ōita at the island Kuyshu in Japan Japan has seen an increase of renewable energy sources As in many other markets this means challenges related to power grid stability The BESS commissioned by Chiyoda Corporation for Nijio Co is hoped to play a pivotal role in harnessing the full potential of renewable energy sources by effectively managing the power supply-demand balance The Tsunokobaru battery project is supported by the Sustainable Open Innovation Initiative (SII) – an industry association with governmental support The station will be equipped by GS Yuasa with containerised energy storage systems (ESS) with lithium-ion batteries from Yuasa’s LEPS-2-14 series with a scheduled output of 25 MW The system includes comprehensive safety monitoring of all cell voltages and module temperatures Its fan-less modules reduce malfunctions and parts replacement needs The modules are housed in fire prevention compliant cubicles and are resilient to severely cold climates Every module is equipped with a battery monitoring PCB that measures cell voltage and module temperature protecting the battery in case of overcharge GS Yuasa ensures system reliability through constant voltage and failure monitoring The start of construction of the Tsunokobaru project will be in May 2026 and the BESS should be operating in FY 2026 Yuasa also foresees new projects to store renewable energy from sources like tidal and wave energy GS Yuasa offers lithium-manganese chemistry to secure high energy density and good charging/discharging properties for high voltage systems up to 1500V DC planned 50 MWh battery storage system at Kyushu island All the latest on Batteries & Energy Storage Technology a major investor in the Turkish renewable energy sector has signed an agreement for British engineering company Rolls-Royce to supply a 132MWh LFP battery energy storage system (BESS).. Find a wealth of information on the energy storage and battery industries with BEST Magazine From all the latest news to in-depth technical articles we have everything you need in print and online All the latest news and articles on Batteries & Energy Storage Technology Copyright 2025 © Energy Storage Publishing Ltd at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period especially in emerging economies like India the need for reliable and cost-effective battery solutions intensifies Lead-acid batteries are the preferred choice for most vehicles due to their affordability and compatibility with conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is estimated to account for the second largest share during the forecast periodMicro-hybrid batteries hold the second-largest share in the automotive lead-acid battery market driven by their compatibility with start-stop systems and increasing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles These batteries are cost-effective compared to full-hybrid or electric alternatives and are specifically designed to handle the frequent charge and discharge cycles required by modern vehicle technologies Stricter emission regulations and advancements in Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technologies have further boosted their adoption While traditional flooded lead-acid batteries dominate the market micro-hybrid batteries are rapidly gaining traction fueled by the automotive industry's shift toward more eco-friendly and efficient solutions.By type flooded batteries segment accounted for the second largest share during the forecast periodFlooded batteries hold the second-largest share in the automotive lead-acid battery market by type following Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries flooded batteries remain widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and reliable performance in standard vehicles their market share has slightly declined as advancements in AGM and Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) better meet the demands of modern automotive technologies flooded batteries continue to be a preferred choice for many conventional vehicles particularly in regions with a strong market for cost-sensitive consumers.By End-Use light & heavy commercial vehicles segment accounted for the second largest share during the forecast periodLight and heavy commercial vehicles hold the second-largest share in the end-use segment of the automotive lead-acid battery market This significant share is driven by the consistent demand for lead-acid batteries in commercial vehicles which require reliable and durable power sources for starting These vehicles often operate in challenging conditions and rely on lead-acid batteries for their affordability and ability to provide dependable performance While passenger vehicles dominate the market and transportation industries has bolstered the adoption of lead-acid batteries in commercial vehicles sustaining their prominent position in the market.By Customer Segment OEM segment accounted for the second largest share during the forecast periodThe OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) segment holds the second-largest share in the customer segment of the automotive lead-acid battery market This position is attributed to the steady demand for lead-acid batteries in new vehicle production where manufacturers prioritize cost-effective and reliable battery solutions for starting Although the aftermarket segment leads due to the frequent replacement cycles of batteries the OEM segment benefits from the continuous production of conventional vehicles and the incorporation of advanced lead-acid battery technologies in modern vehicles equipped with start-stop systems This ensures the OEM segment remains a key contributor to the market's overall growth.North America is estimated to account for the second largest share during the forecast periodNorth America holds the second-largest share in the regional segment of the automotive lead-acid battery market This is driven by the robust automotive industry in the region which includes both the production of traditional vehicles and the increasing adoption of technologies like start-stop systems in newer models The demand for lead-acid batteries in North America is bolstered by their widespread use in light vehicles the region benefits from a well-established automotive manufacturing base and strong aftermarket demand ensuring that lead-acid batteries continue to be a preferred power source due to their affordability and reliability (India) are some of the major players in the automotive lead acid battery market and partnerships to increase their market share and business revenue.The report provides insights on the following: Impact of Generative AI/AI on Automotive Lead-Acid Battery Market Diver Chris Lemons was 300ft beneath the surface when he lost contact with his colleagues I said goodbye to all my dreamsThis article is more than 2 months oldDiver Chris Lemons was 300ft beneath the surface when he lost contact with his colleagues Tue 4 Mar 2025 06.00 CETShareIt was The “office” was actually the bottom of the North Sea where Lemons was left without air for almost half an hour living in a pressurised chamber onboard a specialised ship for stints of up to a month and being lowered to the seabed in a diving bell to work on offshore structures That bell going down is like the taxi to work along with colleagues Duncan Allcock and Dave Yuasa took their diving-bell “taxi” to work at a depth of 90 metres (295ft) the most experienced of the three and something of a mentor to Lemons was to stay in the bell while Lemons and Yuasa dropped out in their diving suits to repair a pipe on a manifold a big yellow drilling structure used by the oil industry Saturation divers are attached to the bell with umbilicals cables that provide them with communication as well as a mixture of oxygen and helium to breathe and a means to find their route back to the safety of the bell “Our umbilicals are exactly what they sound like: givers of life,” says Lemons on a video call from the south of France where he now lives The bell in turn was connected to the ship which had a crew of 120 and was positioned 103km (64 miles) north-east of Aberdeen The ship held its place over the dive area without an anchor guided by a “dynamic positioning” computer system the weather was bad – 35 knots of wind and a 5.5-metre (18ft) swell – but not unusual for the North Sea “We don’t really notice that on the bottom,” says Lemons “Generally in the North Sea you can’t see much we could see the bell from where we were.” ‘Very much a normal day at the office’ … Lemons and a colleague in the diving bell on board the Topaz Photograph: Courtesy of Chris LemonsThey had been working for about an hour when things went wrong There was an open line of communication to the ship and they heard alarms going off but then came a message from the ship directly to Lemons and Yuasa: “Leave everything there – get out of the structure They dropped off the manifold to the seabed “That’s when the confusion started,” says Lemons “Going up to the surface is never an option – you would die from explosive decompression pretty quickly There is only one safe place: the diving bell.” which had been 10 metres (33ft) above them The Topaz’s dynamic positioning system had failed and the ship was drifting off in the gale But the bell was still attached to the other end of their umbilicals “I don’t remember processing what was going on You’re just trying to get back to that safe place I thought I was going to get pulled through the structure – that’s not a nice way to goBut A loop of his umbilical had snagged on the manifold they’d been working on You’ve got this 8,000-tonne vessel pulling that umbilical tight – there was nothing I could do to release it.” because the cable was caught on part of the manifold Lemons initially found himself being pulled back into it “I was thrashing around like a fish trying to get out of there My next thought was that if it continued to slip there was a small gap in the structure I was going to get pulled through The first real dose of luck I had was that it stopped slipping.” It’s a testament to Lemons’s talent for understatement Yuasa noticed that Lemons was in trouble: “He realised there was a problem and turned to get back to me ‘Going up to the surface is never an option’ … Lemons in the bell Photograph: Courtesy of Chris LemonsMeanwhile the ship continued to pull on Lemons’s umbilical He doesn’t remember hearing the cable break; it happened in stages Then [I lost] the hose which provides an infinite amount of gas – suddenly I had nothing to breathe at all.” they desperately tried to get the dynamic positioning system running again Lemons did what saturation divers are trained to do but when you’ve suddenly got nothing to breathe it’s an instinctual thing to turn the knob on the side of the helmet to open the supply That puts you in a very different world: the moment that you open that you’ve moved from a place where you have this infinite supply to one where you very much have a finite one – about eight or nine minutes’ worth.” I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face It’s easy to get disoriented at the best of times with a compass and a light and someone telling you where to go I knew this enormous yellow structure was probably only a couple of metres away I was very lucky – I bumped straight into it.” It was the most infinite darkness – I couldn’t see my hand in front of my faceHe climbed up the manifold I expected to see Dave on his way back to me there was nothing but the most absolute blackness in the sea above me.” “I would have been hypothermically cold very quickly Maybe your body has an ability to shut out unnecessary information Or perhaps my memory is not as good as I thought I feel I’ve got this fairly lucid recollection of everything up to the point where I fall unconscious.” He reckons that of the eight or nine minutes of gas he had “I won’t pretend I wasn’t scared and breathing hard I realised that even if Dave had been there the chances of him getting me back to a breathable environment before I ran out of gas were minimal I decided this was probably going to be it the panic drained out of me – there was nothing I could do I assumed a sort of foetal position and was overtaken by grief Finn Cole as Lemons Woody Harrelson as Allcock and Simu Liu as Yuasa in Last Breath Photograph: FlixPix/AlamyWhat was he thinking of in that moment “I was at an exciting point in my life: early 30s we were in the process of building a house … I had all the hopes and dreams you have at that stage – of children travel – and it felt as if all of that was about to be ripped away in this strange I grew up in a middle-class family on the outskirts of Cambridge and I remember thinking: ‘How is this dark He also tells me he was worried what they were going to find on his mobile phone Lemons is very funny – that doesn’t come across in the documentary that was made about his accident We underestimate what we’re capable of - it’s given me courage and confidenceIn the 2019 documentary Last Breath Allcock and others are interwoven with footage from the day and some reconstructed scenes haunting footage is taken from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Some of the ship’s crew take it to be a sign that he’s waving at the ROV letting them know he’s still alive and they need to get a move on “I’m definitely unconscious at the point where the ROV finds me We’ve got a few theories as to what that was.” To put it another way: he was not waving but drowning He doesn’t remember the moment he lost consciousness He thinks it was the carbon dioxide that put him under and that’s why the “actual moment was peaceful I still get contacted all the time by people who’ve lost loved ones but I don’t have the right to tell you what it’s like – I didn’t die.” ‘The actual moment was peaceful’ … Lemons lying unconscious at the bottom of the North Sea Photograph: Courtesy of Chris LemonsSomehow they got the dynamic positioning system going again and relocated the manifold It had been 35 minutes since his umbilical snapped and Lemons had just eight or nine minutes of emergency gas They dragged him back into the bell and took off his helmet but there’s a lovely moment of footage where Yuasa reaches out and holds Lemons who reaches out and grabs on to him and Allcock “They’re the real heroes in this story,” Lemons says How Lemons survived – and without brain damage – for more than 25 minutes is something of a mystery He has been to medical conferences and spoken to many experts in his search for answers but the professionals are as perplexed as he is He thought it was the cold that had saved him since there are stories of people falling through ice and surviving for a long time “But I’ve learned that if my body had been so cold that I’d gone into some kind of hibernation or stasis there is no way Duncan would have been able to resuscitate me that quickly.” He’s also been told that a buildup of CO2 in the blood – hypercapnia – can be neurologically protective If medical tests had been performed on him immediately after he was rescued he might have the empirical data that could provide answers; but he had to remain locked away in a pressurised chamber after he arrived back in Aberdeen he was fine afterwards – physically and mentally back on the seabed in exactly the same spot Read moreLemons still works in the industry He is also dialling down the day job and doing more public speaking It’s funny that by knocking so loudly on death’s door And now his story’s being told in a thriller, also called Last Breath, directed by Alex Parkinson. Allcock, from Chesterfield, is played by Woody Harrelson who played one of the Kens in the Barbie movie good-looking lad – makes complete sense,” says Lemons a critical component in various applications from automotive to energy storage the market was valued at approximately US$49.3 billion and is projected to reach a valuation of around US$77.88 billion by 2030 The Lead-Acid Battery market's expansion is primarily driven by the competitive pricing of these batteries making them an attractive energy storage solution across a myriad of applications This cost-effectiveness positions Lead-Acid Batteries as a favored choice lead-acid batteries are often the go-to option for energy storage primarily due to their lower upfront costs when compared to alternative technologies such as lithium-ion batteries This financial advantage has enabled companies like Trojan Battery to tap into the market demand effectively by offering robust lead-acid battery solutions at compelling price points the utility of lead-acid batteries extends beyond just solar energy storage into critical roles such as providing backup power for telecommunications infrastructure This application underscores the batteries' value proposition Exide Technologies exemplifies this by supplying economical lead-acid battery options to telecommunications companies These companies rely on dependable energy storage solutions to ensure their services remain uninterrupted highlighting the essential role lead-acid batteries play in maintaining operational continuity in the telecom sector has cemented their position in various sectors not limited to renewable energy storage and telecommunications and emergency power systems further illustrates the versatile utility and market demand for these batteries The ongoing preference for lead-acid batteries in these diverse applications is largely attributed to their proven track record and the established infrastructure for their production and disposal the emergence of low-cost alternatives in the energy storage space poses a potential challenge Market Segmentation InsightsOn the basis of Type the Flooded Battery category emerged as the leading segment within the Lead-Acid Battery market securing a commanding 65.58% share in the year 2023 This segment's predominant position is largely due to its proven reliability and long-standing reputation in the market the VRLA (Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid) Battery segment is on track to witness the most significant growth The growth momentum of the VRLA segment is fuelled by its appeal as a maintenance-free option coupled with its increasing utilization across a broad range of applications The shift towards VRLA batteries is especially noticeable in sectors where the convenience of not having to regularly check and maintain fluid levels offers a distinct advantage such as in telecommunications backup power This transition underscores a market trend towards solutions that offer both reliability and ease of use positioning the VRLA segment for substantial expansion in the coming years.Based on Application the Automotive Starters category asserted its dominance securing a market share of 61.29% in the year 2023 This significant market share is a testament to the widespread application of Lead-Acid Batteries in the automotive sector highlighting their critical role in starting vehicle engines the category encompassing Forklifts & other Vehicles is forecasted to emerge as the fastest-growing segment This anticipated growth is primarily driven by the escalating demand for electric and hybrid vehicles which rely heavily on Lead-Acid Batteries for power The increasing shift towards electric mobility particularly in industrial and logistics vehicles like forklifts underlines the growing reliance on Lead-Acid Batteries As the automotive industry continues to evolve towards more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions the role of Lead-Acid Batteries in powering a diverse range of vehicles reflecting the segment's expanding market potential The Lead-Acid Battery market spans across several key regions globally the Asia Pacific region commands a substantial share of 48.01% as of 2023 This region is poised for the most rapid growth This forecasted growth is largely due to the swift pace of industrial development and the escalating demand throughout these countries This trend include the expansion of automotive manufacturing in countries like China and India along with significant investments in renewable energy projects across the region which increasingly incorporate lead-acid batteries for energy storage solutions These factors collectively underscore Asia Pacific's pivotal role in driving the global Lead-Acid Battery market's expansion.Competitive LandscapeThe competitive landscape of the Lead-Acid Battery market is characterized by the presence of numerous prominent players driving growth First National Battery and Tianneng Holding Group are also significant contributors to the market.These companies collectively account for approximately 35-40% of the market share indicating robust competition within the sector many players are actively engaged in research and development activities and collaborations to enhance their market presence and offerings.For instance Amara Raja Batteries announced a strategic 'Energy & Mobility' initiative in June 2021 aiming to drive growth in core sectors and expand into new energy opportunities This initiative includes the expansion of the Lead-Acid Batteries business and the establishment of a New Energy Strategic Business Unit (SBU) focusing on Lithium cells Executive Summary: Global Lead-Acid Battery MarketChapter 4 Global Lead-Acid Battery Market Overview4.1 COVID-19 Impact Assessment on Market Growth Trend4.7 Market Revenue Estimates and Forecast (US$ Bn) Competitor Mapping & BenchmarkingChapter 5 North America Lead-Acid Battery Market Analysis Asia Pacific Lead-Acid Battery Market Analysis Middle East and Africa Lead-Acid Battery Market Analysis South America Lead-Acid Battery Market AnalysisChapter 13 About ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. which will be part of the Olympics for the first time in Paris this summer Ami Yuasa won the Red Bull BC One World Final in October She also took the crown at the WDSF World Breaking Championship in 2021 and 2022.