Japanese Anime Pepole with Titles they desrvie
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Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan's greatest animation directors. The entertaining plots, compelling characters, and breathtaking visuals in his films have earned him international renown from critics as well as public recognition within Japan.
Miyazaki started his career in 1963 as an animator at the studio Toei Douga studio, and was subsequently involved in many early classics of Japanese animation. From the beginning, he commanded attention with his incredible drawing ability and the seemingly endless stream of movie ideas he proposed.
In 1971, he moved to the A Pro studio with Isao Takahata. In 1973, he moved to Nippon Animation, where he was heavily involved in the World Masterpiece Theater TV animation series for the next 5 years. In 1978, he directed his first TV series, Future Boy Conan (1978). Then, he moved to Tokyo Movie Shinsha in 1979 to direct his first movie, the classic Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979). In 1984, he released Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), which was based on the manga of the same title he had started 2 years before. The success of the film led to the establishment of a new animation studio, Studio Ghibli. Since then, he has since directed, written, and produced many other films with Takahata. More recently, he has produced with Toshio Suzuki. All enjoyed critical and box office success, in particular Princess Mononoke (1997). It received the Japanese equivalent of the Academy Award for Best Film and was the highest-grossing (about USD $150 million) domestic film in Japan's history at the time of its release.
In addition to animation, he also draws manga. His major work was Nausicaä, an epic tale he worked on intermittently from 1982 to 1984 while he was busy making animated films. Another manga Hikotei Jidai, later evolved into Porco Rosso (1992).The Steven Spielberg of anime and the Chuck Jones of Japan- Director
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Isao Takahata was born on 29 October 1935 in Ise, Japan. He was a director and writer, known for Grave of the Fireflies (1988), Pom Poko (1994) and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013). He died on 5 April 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.The Francis Ford Coppola of Japan- Writer
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Yoshiyuki Tomino was born on 5 November 1941 in Odawara, Japan. He is a writer and director, known for Mobile Suit Z Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars (2004), Mobile Suit Z Gundam II: A New Translation - Lovers (2005) and Mobile Suit Gundam (1979).The George Lucas of anime and the Gene Roddenberry of Japan- Director
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Hiroyuki Imaishi is known for Gurren Lagann (2007), Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022) and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997).The Robert Rodriguez of anime and the John Kricfalusi of Japan and the new Yoshinori Kanada.- Animation Department
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Yoshinori Kanada was born on 5 February 1952 in Nara, Japan. He was a director, known for Akira (1988), Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). He died on 21 July 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.The Ralph Bakshi of Japan- Composer
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Joe Hisaishi was born on 6 December 1950 in Nakano, Japan. He is a composer and director, known for Spirited Away (2001), The Boy and the Heron (2023) and Fireworks (1997). He is married to Ayame Fujisawa . They have one child.The John Williams of anime and Japanese movies and the Quincy Jones of Japan- Writer
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Shin'ichirô Watanabe was born on 24 May 1965 in Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan. He is a writer and director, known for The Animatrix (2003), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) and Cowboy Bebop (1998).The Quentin Tarantino of anime- Director
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Shin'ichi Watanabe was born on 6 September 1964 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. He is a director and actor, known for Puni Puni Poemy (2001), Weird Anime Excel Saga (1999) and Shônen Ashibe 2 (1992).The David Zucker of Japan- Animation Department
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Joined Mushi Animation Production in the 60s and was very soon promoted to animation direction of several TV Series including "Moomin" and "Wansa-kun". After his collaboration on the TV series "Space Battleship Yamato" (1974-75), he made his film debut in its theatrical version in 1977. His debut as a director in a long-feature format couldn't have been more successful: "Vampire Hunter D" (1985), made for the Video Animation market. Shortly after he directed his only long-feature film, "Fist of the North Star" in 1986.The Tex Avery of Japan- Animation Department
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Yoshikazu Yasuhiko was born on 9 December 1947 in Engaru, Japan. He is a director and writer, known for Venus Wars (1989), Crusher Joe: The Movie (1983) and Giant Gorg (1984).The Ridley Scott of anime and the Tony Scott of Japan- Writer
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Graduated in Tokyo. Debuted in animation in the first 60s, doing several tasks from planning to scripting TV series until his debut as director with second TV series of "Cyborg 009" (1979-80). Joined Nippon Sunrise Animation Company in 1981. Here, he was finally able to direct his own personal projects beginning with the TV series "Taiyo no Kiba Doug Ram" ("Sun Fangs Doug Ram") in 1981. Debuted as film director with the theater version of "Doug Ram" in 1983.The James Cameron of anime- Composer
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Kôhei Tanaka was born on 14 February 1954 in Osaka, Japan. He is a composer and actor, known for One Piece (1999), Sakura taisen (2000) and Matchless Raijin-Oh (1991).The Ennio Morricone of Japan- Writer
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Katsuhiro Ôtomo is a Japanese manga artist, screenwriter and film director. He is best known as the creator of the manga Akira and its animated film adaptation.
In 1979, after writing multiple short-stories for the magazine Action, Otomo created his first science-fiction work, titled Fireball. Although the manga was never completed, it is regarded as a milestone in Otomo's career as it contained many of the same themes he would explore in his later. In 1982, Otomo made his anime debut, working as character designer for the animated film Harmagedon. The next year, Otomo began work on a manga which would become his most acclaimed and famous work: Akira. It took eight years to complete and would eventually culminate in 2000 pages of artwork. While the serialization of Akira was taking place, Otomo decided to animate it into a feature film, although the manga was yet to be finished. In 1988, the animated film Akira was released.
Otomo became the fourth manga artist ever inducted into the American Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2012, and was awarded the Purple Medal of Honor from the Japanese government in 2013.The Stanley Kubrick of Japan- Writer
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Satoshi Kon was born in 1963. He studied at the Musashino College of the Arts. He began his career as a Manga artist. He then moved to animation and worked as a background artist on many films (including Roujin Z (1991) by 'Katsuhiro Otomo'). Then, in 1995, he wrote an episode of the anthology film Memories (1995) (this Episode was "Magnetic Rose"). In 1997, he directed his first feature film: the excellent Perfect Blue (1997). In 2001, he finished work on his second feature film, Millennium Actress (2001) (aka Millennium Actress).The Terry Gilliam of anime and the Alfred Hitchcock of Japan- Writer
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Tezuka Osamu was born on November 3, 1928 in Toyonaka, Japan as the first child of Fumiko & Yutaka Tezuka. At 5, he & his family moved to the village of Kohama in Hyogo prefecture (present day city of Takarazuka). When he was 7, he entered Ikeda Elementary School in Osaka. Due to his diminutive stature, he was bullied a lot in school. His mother was a good story teller & would tell stories to him. His father was a big comic & animated movies fan. Therefore, he would do a private showing of movies he bought at his house. This influence would later inspire him to write story length comics that was as exciting as watching a movie. He drew his first comic when he was in 3rd grade titled Bin Bin Namachan, a story of a bald-headed boy that was modeled after himself. During those days, he read comics such as Norakuro & Nakamura Manga Library. He even drew a story about martians called Kaseijin Kuru! He also invented his famous character Hyotantsugi in a work he titled Fuku-chan to Uotsuri. . Another one of his works called Shina no Yoru caused quite a sensation.
His other love in life was insects. He would roam around the fields to study them & he would draw his own encyclopedia. One day, he found an insect named Osamushi, which resembled his name. Therefore, he adopted Osamushi as his pen name. He started to draw using pen & ink as well as write comics when he was 15. He self-published 13 books that year. In 1945, he entered Osaka University's medical division. The following year, he made his professional debut w/ the comic Maachan no nikki-cho in an Osaka children's newspaper. Later that year, he met Nanama Sakai at the Kansai manga club meeting & was asked to draw a feature length cartoon. W/ Sakai as story writer, he published Shin Takarajima the following year, selling 400,000 copies. He then went on to win 1st place at the YMCA for his piano performance. He was also a member of the university's acting club during & dabbled in school plays. What separated him from artists before him was that his comic had a 3-dimensional feel to his pictures & more lively motion to his characters.
In 1950, he began writing Jungle Taitei, which was published in the magazine Manga Shonen. After graduating from Osaka University the following year, he wrote the pilot episode for Tetsuwan Atom titled Atom Taishi, which was featured in the magazine Shounen. In 1952, he passed the exam to become a practicing physician. Atom Taishi ended in March & is renamed Tetsuwan Atom w/ syndication continuing until March 1968. He was in a dilemma as to which profession he would choose as his career: to be a manga artist or a doctor. He consulted his mother about his career choice & she advised him to choose whichever he loved the most. Encouraged by this, he chose manga.
In 1953, he moved to the now legendary Tokiwaso apartment where many young comic talents from all over Japan lived to start their career. Most of them were not only younger, but considered him as their guru, becoming a mentor. In 1959, he married Etsuko Okada. That same year, Tetsuwan Atom airs on Fuji TV featuring live actors. In 1961, he started his own animation production company called Tezuka Osamu Production Animation Department & beginning work on the pilot of animated version of Tetsuwan Atom. On January 1, 1963 Tetsuwan Atom starts airing on Fuji TV & is broadcasted by NBC as Astro Boy in the U.S. the following year. He followed up w/ the animated version of his comic Big X & W 3. In 1965, he created his 1st color anime Jungle Taitei, later airing in the Americas as Kimba the White Lion. His works from late the 60s such as Magma Taishi & 70s such as Mitsume ga tooru & Black Jack aren't as well known outside Japan, but he continued to draw at a prolific pace during those years. In 1972, due to internal strife, Mushi pro disintegrates. He later created another production company named after himself called Tezuka pro. During the 80s his work load slowly declined & he was more of a cultural icon, becoming a guest on many social events & TV interviews. He was also busy running his production company.
In 1988, he felt pain in his abdomen & underwent surgery. Not knowing this was due to stomach cancer as his his physician chose not to reveal his terminal illness, he was heard saying, "This doctor doesn't understand my question" as he asked about his condition. He passed away on February 9, 1989. Magazine headlines read Manga Taitei iku. Now, he's remembered as the greatest manga artist of all time, single-handedly jump starting both genre of modern day manga & anime with many manga artists were influenced by Tezuka's works. He was also 1 of the most prolific artist in the field w/ over 700 stories spanning over 170,000 pages to his credit . His impact on the entire social culture of Japan's also seen as immeasurable as he influenced so many different areas of art & society through his comics. Never in history has a comic artist influenced the society of a single country the way he did. He'll be remembered as the founding father of modern day manga.The Walt Disney of Japan- Director
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Masayuki Kojima was born on 16 March 1961 in Yamanashi, Japan. He is a director, known for Made in Abyss (2017), Genesis Climber Mospeada (1983) and Tibetan Dog (2011).The David Lynch of Anime- Animation Department
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Graduated from Yokohama High School in 1968. After a few years working as animator at Mushi Production Animation, the company went bankrupt in 1972 and he joined Madhouse Studio. In the 70s he was promoted to animation director and finally debuted as film director in 1984's "SF New Century Lensman", jointly with the more experienced Kazuyuki Hirokawa (Kawajiri also did the character design along with Kazuo Tomizawa). His first film in solitaire (and doing also the animation direction) was "Wicked City" (1987), which confirms his mastery in filmmaking. That same year he began to work for the Original Video Animation market debuting with "The Phoenix". From 1987 he also wrote his own scripts.The John Carpenter of Japan- Music Department
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Masaaki Endou is known for Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger (2024), Mazinkaiser vs. Great General of Darkness (2003) and Angels of Death (2018).The Sammy Hagar of Japan- Music Department
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Yoshiki Fukuyama is known for Macross 7 (1994), Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (2012) and Life with an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated Into a Total Fantasy Knockout (2022).The Paul McCartney of Japan- Producer
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Toshio Suzuki is a film producer of anime and a long-time colleague of Hayao Miyazaki, as well as the former president of Studio Ghibli.
Suzuki is renowned as one of Japan's most successful producers after the enormous box office success (in Japan) of many Ghibli films. Suzuki was born in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture in 1948. In 1967 he enrolled at Keio University and graduated with a degree in literature in 1972.
In 1985 Suzuki was also involved with Mamoru Oshii's Angel's Egg.
In 2014, Suzuki was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature as the producer of The Wind Rises, along with Hayao Miyazaki. And in 2017, he was again nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature as the producer of The Red Turtle.The Frank Marshall of Japan- Writer
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Mamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director and screenwriter. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of popular anime, including Urusei Yatsura (1981-1984), Angel's Egg (1985), Patlabor: The Movie (1989), Ghost in the Shell (1995), and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004).
Oshii was approached to be one of the directors of The Animatrix, but he was unable to participate because of his work in Innocence.The James Cameron of Japan- Writer
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Naoki Urasawa was born on 2 January 1960 in Fuchu, Japan. He is a writer, known for 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008), Pluto (2023) and Master Keaton (1998).The David Lynch of Japan and the new Osamu Tezuka- Writer
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Shotaro Ishinomori was born on January 25, 1938 in Tome, Japan as Shotaro Onodera. As 1 of the most prolific comic artist in history, his works encompasses over 770 titles exceeding 128,000 pages. Being 1 of the early pioneers of Japanese manga, he was 1 of the few comic artists whose works has been syndicated overseas along w/ Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy), Jiro Kuwata (8th Man), Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha) & Fujiko Fujio (Obake no Q-taro). He made his debut as a comic artist in 1954 w/ Nikyu Tenshi. His name could be read either as Ishimori or Ishinomori. Although he intended it to be read as Ishinomori, most people read it as Ishimori, which stuck for the next 30 years. In 1956, he moved to Tokyo to live in a now legendary apartment called Tokiwa-so, which housed many of the future comic artists of Japan. He was mentored like so many young comic artists living in there by the late Osamu Tezuka. The 1st episode of Astro Boy was actually penned by Ishinomori because Tezuka was sick at the time. He was writing adventure sci-fi action like many of his colleagues for pre-teen boys in the late 50s & early 60s such as Niichan Sensha, Mutant Sabu & Cyborg 009. He also drew a cartoon version of Toho's movie Matango during this period. In 1966, he won the Kodansha manga award for both works. In 1971, his comic Kamen Rider was syndicated as a TV series, which saw enormous success. The word henshin (the battle cry Kamen Rider shouts before making his transformation) became part of the staple language of youth at the time. He followed up on his success w/ Kamen Rider II, Kamen Rider V3, Kamen Rider Black, Inazuman & Kikaida, who all transformed their appearances before battle. In 1975, he co-created the Go Rangers, the 1st Super Sentai series. A later Super Sentai, Zyuranger, became popular in the U.S. in the 90s as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In 1986, he officially changed his pen name to Shotaro Ishinomori to celebrate his 30th year as a comic artist. It was also the name he intended for himself to begin w/. During his later years, he was penning many comics for adults that depicted society from his view as a comic artist. He passed away at 60 in 1998 from heart failure. He'll be remembered as 1 of the founding fathers of manga.The Glen A. Larson of Japan- Writer
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Leiji Matsumoto was born on 25 January 1938 in Fukuoka, Japan. He was a writer and director, known for Captain Harlock and the Queen of a Thousand Years (1985), Space Battleship Yamato (1974) and Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato: Warriors of Love (1978). He was married to Miyako Maki. He died on 13 February 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.The Glen A. Larson of anime- Writer
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Hiromu Arakawa was born on 8 May 1973 in Tokachi, Japan. Hiromu is a writer, known for Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) and Fullmetal Alchemist (2017).The J. K. Rowling of Japan