Mahiro Maeda
Born: 1963-03-14 in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Known For: Directing
Biography
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.
Filmography
2025
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX ... (Storyboard Artist)
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- ... (Storyboard Artist)
2024
- Kaiju No. 8 ... (Creature Design)
2023
- SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand Episode ... (Creature Design)
- Shin Kamen Rider ... (Conceptual Design)
- Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~ as Self
- Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug ... (Art Designer)
- EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.) ... (Comic Book)
2022
- Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation ... (Concept Artist)
2021
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time ... (Key Animation)
2018
- SSSS.GRIDMAN ... (Creature Design)
2016
- Shin Godzilla ... (Storyboard)
- Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Movie - Over the Wishes ... (Original Story)
- A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.) ... (Key Animation)
2015
- One-Punch Man ... (Key Animation)
- Mad Max: Fury Road ... (Animation)
- Kanón ... (Storyboard Artist)
- Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo
- Hammerhead ... (Director)
2014
- Rage of Bahamut ... (Storyboard Artist)
- Japan Animator Expo ... (Director)
- Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark ... (Storyboard Artist)
- 20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed ... (Director)
2013
- Kill la Kill ... (Storyboard Artist)
- Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film ... (Director)
- Ando Lloyd ～A.I. knows LOVE ?～ ... (Original Story)
2012
- Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo ... (Special Effects)
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo ... (Key Animation)
2009
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance ... (Key Animation)
2008
- Genius Party Beyond ... (Director)
- Ani*Kuri15 ... (Director)
- Genius Party Beyond ... (Writer)
2007
- Ani*Kuri15 ... (Director)
2006
- Origin: Spirits of the Past ... (Mechanical Designer)
- Brave Story ... (Storyboard Artist)
2004
- Gankutsuou ... (Executive Producer)
2003
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 ... (Animation)
- Last Exile ... (Production Design)
- The Animatrix ... (Director)
- Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of Anime as Self
- The Second Renaissance Part II ... (Director)
- The Second Renaissance Part I ... (Director)
2002
- Gate Keepers 21 ... (Storyboard)
2001
- Final Fantasy: Unlimited ... (Character Designer)
2000
- VanDread ... (Key Animation)
1999
- Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris ... (Creature Design)
1998
- Blue Submarine No. 6 ... (Series Director)
1997
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion ... (Key Animation)
1996
- Gamera 2: Attack of Legion ... (Creature Design)
1995
- Gunsmith Cats ... (Animation)
1992
- Porco Rosso ... (Key Animation)
1991
- Only Yesterday ... (Key Animation)
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III ... (Director)
- Moonlight Pierce ... (Key Animation)
- Doomed Megalopolis ... (Key Animation)
- Route 20: Galactic Airport ... (Director)
1990
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water ... (Director)
1988
- Gunbuster ... (Key Animation)
1987
- Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise ... (Key Animation)
- Robot Carnival ... (Animation)
- Battle Royale High School ... (Key Animation)
- Lemon Angel ... (Key Animation)
- The Tale of Genji ... (Key Animation)
1986
- Castle in the Sky ... (Key Animation)
1985
- Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot ... (Key Animation)
1984
- Birth: A War of Two Worlds ... (Animation)
- Cream Lemon ... (Key Animation)
1983
- DAICON IV Opening Animation ... (Key Animation)
1981
- DAICON III Opening Animation ... (Key Animation)