
Person
Mahiro Maeda
Directing · Born 1963-03-14 · Yonago, Tottori, Japan
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.
Known for

Kaiju No. 8
Creature Design

Rage of Bahamut
Storyboard Artist

One-Punch Man
Key Animation

Mad Max: Fury Road
Animation

Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Animation

Kill la Kill
Storyboard Artist

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Director

Japan Animator Expo
Director

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Key Animation

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
Storyboard Artist
Filmography
- 2025Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuXStoryboard Artist
- 2025Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-Storyboard Artist
- 2024Kaiju No. 8Creature Design
- 2023Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~Self
- 2023Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-AugArt Designer
- 2023Shin Kamen RiderConceptual Design
- 2023EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.)Comic Book
- 2023SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand EpisodeCreature Design
- 2022Adam by Eve: A Live in AnimationConcept Artist
- 2021Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a TimeKey Animation
- 2018SSSS.GRIDMANCreature Design
- 2016A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.)Key Animation
- 2016Shin GodzillaStoryboard
- 2016Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Movie - Over the WishesOriginal Story
- 2015Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo
- 2015One-Punch ManKey Animation
- 2015HammerheadDirector
- 2015Rapid RougeOriginal Concept
- 2015Mad Max: Fury RoadAnimation
- 2015KanónStoryboard Artist
- 201420min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets AllowedDirector
- 2014Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial ArkStoryboard Artist
- 2014Japan Animator ExpoDirector
- 2014Rage of BahamutStoryboard Artist
- 2013Peaceful Times (F02) Petit FilmDirector
- 2013Ando Lloyd ~A.I. knows LOVE ?~Original Story
- 2013Kill la KillStoryboard Artist
- 2012Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) RedoKey Animation
- 2012Giant God Warrior Appears in TokyoSpecial Effects
- 2009Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) AdvanceKey Animation
- 2008Genius Party BeyondDirector
- 2008Genius Party BeyondWriter
- 2008Ani*Kuri15Director
- 2007Ani*Kuri15Director
- 2006Brave StoryStoryboard Artist
- 2006Origin: Spirits of the PastMechanical Designer
- 2004GankutsuouExecutive Producer
- 2003Kill Bill: Vol. 1Animation
- 2003Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of AnimeSelf
- 2003The AnimatrixDirector
- 2003The Second Renaissance Part IIDirector
- 2003Last ExileProduction Design
- 2003The AnimatrixDirector
- 2003The Second Renaissance Part IDirector
- 2002Gate Keepers 21Storyboard
- 2001Final Fantasy: UnlimitedCharacter Designer
- 2000VanDreadKey Animation
- 1999Gamera 3: Revenge of IrisCreature Design
- 1998Blue Submarine No. 6Series Director
- 1997Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of EvangelionKey Animation
- 1996Gamera 2: Attack of LegionCreature Design
- 1995Gunsmith CatsAnimation
- 1992Porco RossoKey Animation
- 1991Moonlight PierceKey Animation
- 1991Doomed MegalopolisKey Animation
- 1991Route 20: Galactic AirportDirector
- 1991Only YesterdayKey Animation
- 1991Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story IIIDirector
- 1990Nadia: The Secret of Blue WaterDirector
- 1988GunbusterKey Animation
- 1987The Tale of GenjiKey Animation
- 1987Battle Royale High SchoolKey Animation
- 1987Lemon AngelKey Animation
- 1987Robot CarnivalAnimation
- 1987A Tale of Two Robots, Chapter 3: Foreign InvasionMechanical & Creature Designer
- 1987Royal Space Force - The Wings of HonneamiseKey Animation
- 1986Castle in the SkyKey Animation
- 1985Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise PilotKey Animation
- 1984BirthAnimation
- 1984Cream LemonKey Animation
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