Mahiro Maeda

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 Movies

Acting

MOVIE

Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~

7.7(0.0K)

"Shin Kamen Rider" is the first live-action film directed by Hideaki Anno since "Shin Godzilla" seven years ago. In the 52-year history of the "Masked Rider" series, this is the first time that cameras have been on the production site for an extended period of time. Please take a look at the two years of the creators taking on the challenge of creating an unprecedented heroic action film.

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Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~

Self

MOVIE

Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of Anime

10.0(0.0K)

A short documentary on Japanese animation featured on the DVD for The Animatrix (2003).

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Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of Anime

Self

MOVIE

Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo

6.0(0.0K)

A documentary about Hideaki Anno's project, Japan Animator Expo.

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Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo

Production

MOVIE

The Second Renaissance Part I

7.5(0.2K)

Tells the early history of how conflict began between the humans and machines. Part 1 of 2.

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The Second Renaissance Part I

Director

MOVIE

The Second Renaissance Part II

7.5(0.2K)

The battle for Earth turns against the humans, despite their infamous desperate act of blackening the skies.

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The Second Renaissance Part II

Director

MOVIE

Brave Story

6.4(0.1K)

Jr. High School Student Wataru and his friends like playing in an abandond building and looking for ghosts. However it seems he is not the only one. Another mysterious student Mitsuru shows Wataru that there is a magical door to another world where one can go and get the Goddess of Fortune to grant one wish! When tragedy strikes Wataru's family he decides to open the door for himself.

Robot Carnival

6.7(0.1K)

An anthology of various tales told in various styles with robots being the one common element among them.

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

6.9(0.0K)

Anime, live action and music by cutting-edge artist Eve — all woven together into this dreamlike sonic experience inspired by the story of Adam and Eve.

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Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

Concept Artist

MOVIE

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

6.9(0.0K)

Anime, live action and music by cutting-edge artist Eve — all woven together into this dreamlike sonic experience inspired by the story of Adam and Eve.

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Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

Key Animation

MOVIE

Kanón

5.5(0.0K)

Based on the novel “Adam Stvořitel” by Karel Čapek: angry at the world for its imperfections, Adam destroys everything except himself. God, as punishment, lets Adam rebuild the world to his whim and will.

Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot

5.7(0.0K)

Short pilot film from year 1985 for the Royal Space Force movie that came out two years later.

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Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot

Key Animation

MOVIE

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

7.2(0.9K)

Fourteen years after Third Impact, Shinji Ikari awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn't aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, NERV has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have turned against him. Befriending the enigmatic Kaworu Nagisa, Shinji continues the fight against the angels and realizes the fighting is far from over, even when it could be against his former allies. The characters' struggles continue amidst the battles against the angels and each other, spiraling down to what could inevitably be the end of the world.

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Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

Key Animation

MOVIE

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

7.8(1.0K)

Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.

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Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

Key Animation