I wanted to be wanted.

I Wanted to Be Wanted is a short animated work produced by the animation department of the Tokyo University of the Arts, known as Geidai Animation. The film emerged from the rigorous creative environment of the university's graduate animation program, which emphasizes individual artistic voice and experimental narrative structures. It serves as a representative example of the academic film tradition in Japan, where students are encouraged to blend traditional animation techniques with highly personal, often introspective storytelling.

The film explores themes of longing and self-perception, utilizing the distinct visual language often found in the Geidai output, which prioritizes conceptual depth over commercial polish. By focusing on internal emotional landscapes, the production reflects the common aesthetic goals of the department’s instructors, who push students to challenge conventional animation tropes. Upon its release within the university circuit and at various international animation festivals, it was noted for its nuanced character studies and its ability to evoke complex moods through minimal sequences.