For these brothers, it led to an opportunity to create their own anime studio in Japan.

Arthell Isom and his twin brother, Darnell Isom, are the co-founders of D’ART Shtajio, a 2-D animation studio located in Tokyo, established in 2016 with animator Henry Thurlow.

Prior to starting his studio, Arthell worked with animation studio Ogura Kobo as a background animator on highly acclaimed shows like Bleach, Black Butler, and Naruto.

He credits working with his mentor Hiromasa Ogura, best known as the background animator on Ninja Scroll and Ghost in the Shell, for helping him shape his career after spending 12 years working alongside him in Japan.

“I watched Ghost in the Shell every day for a year,” said Isom in an interview with Japan Times.