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Mahiro Maeda
Director, Producer, Writer, Additional CreditsBorn March 14, 1963 (62 years)
Mahiro Maeda (前田 真宏 Maeda Mahiro) born March 14, 1963 is one of the most prominent Japanese anime creators working today, having worked as director, character designer, and animator for many of Japan's top series. Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies called him "one of the most imaginative visualists in anime". He also worked on Concept Art and Design for Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), which won six Academy Awards.
He has been one of the top contributors at the anime studio GONZO for many years, having directed Blue Submarine No. 6, Final Fantasy: Unlimited and Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo.
His design work ranges from 2 of the "Angels" in Neon Genesis Evangelion to production and mechanical design for such series as Magic User's Club (魔法使いTai! Mahō Tsukai Tai!), The Vision of Escaflowne and Last Exile. He was also the designer of the invaders in Gatekeepers 21.
His earlier years were spent mostly at the famed Studio Ghibli, where he helped animate classics such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, and Porco Rosso.
Maeda is also one of the select Japanese directors to actively collaborate with the international film media on various projects. He provided key animation for the animation sequence in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1. His directorial work has also been featured in such exclusive package films as The Animatrix (segment: "The Second Renaissance Parts I and II"), Genius Party Beyond (segment: "Gala"), and Ani*Kuri15 (segment: "Princess Onmitsu").
He has also visited the American Anime Expo convention in 2000 and 2003.
He has been one of the top contributors at the anime studio GONZO for many years, having directed Blue Submarine No. 6, Final Fantasy: Unlimited and Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo.
His design work ranges from 2 of the "Angels" in Neon Genesis Evangelion to production and mechanical design for such series as Magic User's Club (魔法使いTai! Mahō Tsukai Tai!), The Vision of Escaflowne and Last Exile. He was also the designer of the invaders in Gatekeepers 21.
His earlier years were spent mostly at the famed Studio Ghibli, where he helped animate classics such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, and Porco Rosso.
Maeda is also one of the select Japanese directors to actively collaborate with the international film media on various projects. He provided key animation for the animation sequence in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1. His directorial work has also been featured in such exclusive package films as The Animatrix (segment: "The Second Renaissance Parts I and II"), Genius Party Beyond (segment: "Gala"), and Ani*Kuri15 (segment: "Princess Onmitsu").
He has also visited the American Anime Expo convention in 2000 and 2003.
Known For
Mahiro Maeda Filmography
| 2021 | |
| 2014 | Japan Animator Expo (TV Series) |
| 2012 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2007 | Ani*Kuri15 (TV Series) |
| 2006 | |
| 2004 | Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (TV Series) |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | |
| 1990 | Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (TV Series) |
| 2004 | Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 2014 | Japan Animator Expo (TV Series) |
| 2008 | Genius Party Beyond · as Screenplay |
| 2025 | Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2025 | Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: Beginning · as Key Animation |
| 2024 | Kaiju No. 8 (TV Series) · as Creature Design |
| 2023 | Shin Kamen Rider · as Costume Design |
| 2023 | SSSS.Gridman · as Creature Design |
| 2022 | Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation · as Key Animation |
| 2021 | Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time · as Key Animation |
| 2018 | SSSS.GRIDMAN (TV Series) · as Creature Design |
| 2016 | Shin Godzilla · as Art Direction |
| 2016 | Shin Godzilla · as Creature Design |
| 2016 | Shin Godzilla · as Storyboard |
| 2016 | Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing - Over the Wishes · as Original Story |
| 2015 | One-Punch Man (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2015 | Mad Max: Fury Road · as Animation |
| 2014 | Japan Animator Expo (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2013 | Ando Lloyd - A.I. Knows Love? (TV Series) · as Original Story |
| 2013 | Kill la Kill (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2012 | Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo · as Key Animation |
| 2011 | LAST EXILE - Fam, the Silver Wing (TV Series) · as Original Story |
| 2009 | Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance · as Key Animation |
| 2008 | Genius Party Beyond · as Character Designer |
| 2007 | Ani*Kuri15 (TV Series) · as Original Plan |
| 2006 | Brave Story · as Animation |
| 2006 | Origin: Spirits of the Past · as Mechanical Designer |
| 2004 | Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2004 | Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (TV Series) · as Original Story |
| 2003 | Kill Bill: Vol. 1 · as Animation |
| 2003 | The Animatrix · as Written By |
| 2003 | Last Exile (TV Series) · as Production Designer |
| 2003 | Last Exile (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2003 | Last Exile (TV Series) · as Creator: Original Work |
| 2002 | Gate Keepers 21 (TV Series) · as Storyboard |
| 2001 | Final Fantasy: Unlimited (TV Series) · as Series Director |
| 2001 | Final Fantasy: Unlimited (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 2000 | VanDread (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 1999 | Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris · as Creature Design |
| 1998 | Blue Submarine No. 6 (TV Series) · as Series Director |
| 1998 | Blue Submarine No. 6 (TV Series) · as Mechanical Designer |
| 1997 | Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion · as Key Animation |
| 1996 | Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion · as Creature Design |
| 1995 | Gunsmith Cats · as Animation |
| 1992 | Porco Rosso · as Key Animation |
| 1991 | Doomed Megalopolis (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 1991 | Only Yesterday · as Key Animation |
| 1990 | Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 1988 | Gunbuster (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 1987 | The Tale of Genji · as Key Animation |
| 1987 | Battle Royal High School · as Key Animation |
| 1987 | Cream Lemon: Lemon Angel (TV Series) · as Key Animation |
| 1987 | Robot Carnival · as Animation |
| 1987 | Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise · as Production Designer |
| 1987 | Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise · as Key Animation |
| 1986 | Castle in the Sky · as Key Animation |
| 1985 | Royal Space Force · as Key Animation |
| 1984 | Birth · as Animation |