The Origin of the Name "Astro Heart"

The most frequent question from friends this year: why is this place called by such a special name, 'Astro Heart'? To be honest, there is no big secret behind it; the name stems from the discoveries and inspirations of my own journey. Throughout my 20-plus years in this industry, "Heart" has represented what I most want every student to hold onto: their original spark. Why are you doing this? For a dream? For money? For a living? If you want to be an exceptional creator but lose sight of your "why," you will quickly burn out, lose your way, or even quit the industry entirely once reality hits. Is that the kind of future you want? My deepest hope is for students to master their craft and truly love what they do. I want them to find fulfillment, earn enough to sustain a balanced life, and fulfill their purpose over a long, thriving career—not just treating this as a fleeting hobby for a year or two. I want them to build a career spanning ten, twenty years, or more. Just like master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, who never stops learning and uses animation to reshape the world, becoming a meaningful part of others' growth.

As for "Astro," it goes back over a decade to my time working on the animated feature film Astro Boy. I was responsible for creating the visual effects for Astro's mechanical heart. That heart gave him limitless energy to pierce through the cosmos and soar. Yet, in the end, he returned to his core purpose, sacrificing his own power to protect everyone. I want this space to be just like Astro Boy: a place where students can recharge both their technical skills and their souls. I want them to anchor their dreams, equip themselves to soar onto the international stage, and courageously fulfill their mission—using their talents to give back, mentor the youth and marginalized, and build a supportive community that overcomes challenges together. May God bless every student here to hold fast to this belief and live out their true selves. Through professional animation, games, and films, may you contribute to the growth of others and society, find joy in creation, gain wisdom, and become exceptional creators. Blessings, Sunny Tang Written on December 21, 2023