Reelated.to

Mahiro Maeda

b. 1963 · 25 titles in the catalogue

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.

Their work

25
  1. Mad Max: Fury Road2015Animation
  2. Kill Bill: Vol. 12003Animation
  3. Castle in the Sky1986Key Animation
  4. One-Punch Man2015Key Animation
  5. Porco Rosso1992Key Animation
  6. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion1997Key Animation
  7. The Animatrix2003Director
  8. Shin Godzilla2016Art Direction · Concept Artist · Conceptual Design · Creature Design · Storyboard
  9. Only Yesterday1991Key Animation
  10. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance2009Key Animation
  11. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time2021Art Designer · Concept Artist · Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist
  12. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo2012Assistant Script · Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist
  13. Kaiju No. 82024Creature Design
  14. Kill la Kill2013Key Animation · Storyboard Artist
  15. Shin Kamen Rider2023Conceptual Design · Costume Design
  16. Origin: Spirits of the Past2006Mechanical Designer
  17. The Second Renaissance Part I2003Animation Director · Character Designer · Director · Key Animation
  18. The Second Renaissance Part II2003Director
  19. Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise1987Key Animation
  20. Rage of Bahamut2014Storyboard Artist
  21. Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris1999Creature Design
  22. Gamera 2: Attack of Legion1996Creature Design
  23. SSSS.GRIDMAN2018Creature Design
  24. Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water1990Director · Key Animation · Settings · Storyboard Artist
  25. Gunbuster1988Key Animation