Film — whether live-action or animation — is an inherently collaborative medium. Even with a strong-willed director at the helm, a movie is pieced together by a cast and crew of dozens or even hundreds of people.

Unless you’re Ryuya Suzuki.

Suzuki, 30, emerged on Japan’s indie animation scene during the COVID-19 pandemic with a series of self-produced short films. Then, over the course of 18 months and entirely by himself, he animated his first feature film, “Jinsei,” which debuted in Japan on Friday.