Haruo Sotozaki
Director, Actor
Haruo Sotozaki is a Japanese anime and film director best known for his work on the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series. He began his career in the animation industry in the mid-1990s, contributing as a key animator and storyboard artist on various projects. Sotozaki made his full directorial debut with the anime adaptation of Ninja Nonsense (2004). In 2019, he directed the critically acclaimed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba television series, followed by the record-breaking film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train (2020). His direction is noted for its dynamic action sequences and faithful adaptation of source material.
Known For
Filmography
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2004 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2001 | |
| 2001 |
| 2007 | Tales of Symphonia · as Soldier |
| 2025 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle · as Animation Director |
| 2020 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train · as Animation Director |
| 2019 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba · as Opening/ending Animation |
| 2016 | Tales of Zestiria the X · as Series Director |
| 2014 | Tales of Zestiria: The Shepherd's Advent · as Second Unit Director |
| 2014 | Tales of Zestiria: The Shepherd's Advent · as Key Animation |
| 2013 | Majokko shimai no Yoyo to Nene · as Animation Director |
| 2012 | Zetman · as Key Animation |
| 2010 | Eden of the East: Paradise Lost · as Key Animation |
| 2009 | Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike · as Key Animation |
| 2009 | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood · as Key Animation |
| 2008 | Inazuma Eleven · as Key Animation |
| 2008 | Antique Bakery (2008) · as Animation Director |
| 2007 | Tales of Symphonia · as Series Director |
| 2007 | Tales of Symphonia · as Key Animation |
| 2007 | Reideen (2007) · as Key Animation |
| 2005 | Noein: To Your Other Self · as Animation Director |
| 2005 | Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel · as Key Animation |
| 2004 | Lupin III: Stolen Lupin · as Animation Director |
| 2004 | Ninja Nonsense · as Key Animation |
| 2004 | Samurai 7 · as Key Animation |
| 2003 | New Fist of the North Star: The Cursed City · as Animation Director |
| 2003 | E's Otherwise · as Key Animation |
| 2002 | Naruto · as Key Animation |
| 2002 | Heat Guy J · as Animation Director |
| 2002 | Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex · as Key AnimationOn Plex |
| 2002 | EX-Driver the Movie · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | Rave Master · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Knockin' on Heaven's Door · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | Fruits Basket · as Animation Director |
| 2001 | R.O.D -READ OR DIE- · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | The SoulTaker · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | Star Ocean EX · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | Digimon Adventure 02: Revenge of Diaboromon · as Key Animation |
| 2001 | Initial D: Third Stage · as Animation Director |
| 2001 | Earth Girl Arjuna · as Animation Director |
| 2000 | Saiyuki · as Animation Director |
| 1999 | Hunter x Hunter · as Key Animation |
| 1999 | You're Under Arrest: The Movie · as Key Animation |
| 1999 | Legend of Himiko · as Animation Director |
| 1998 | Eat-Man '98 · as Animation Director |
| 1996 | Rurouni Kenshin · as Key Animation |