About

Known credits:
96
Birthday:
1963-03-14
Place of birth:
Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Website:
N/A

Mahiro Maeda

Overview

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

Acting
2023 Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~ Actor Self 59
Average
2015 Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo Actor 59
Average
2003 Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of Anime Actor Self N/A
N/A

Directing
2021 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Directing Director 73
Good
2015 Hammerhead Directing Director 59
Average
2015 Kanón Directing Director 59
Average
2014 20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed Directing Director 59
Average
2013 Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film Directing Director N/A
N/A
2012 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Directing Director 67
Fair
2008 Genius Party Beyond Directing Director 59
Average
2008 Genius Party Beyond Directing Director 69
Fair
2008 Ani*Kuri15 Directing Director 59
Average
2008 Gala Directing Director N/A
N/A
2007 Princess Onmitsu Directing Director 59
Average
2006 Brave Story Directing Director 59
Average
2004 Gankutsuou Directing Series Director 70
Good
2003 The Animatrix Directing Director 68
Fair
2003 The Second Renaissance Part II Directing Director 62
Fair
2003 The Second Renaissance Part I Directing Director 62
Fair
2001 Final Fantasy: Unlimited Directing Series Director 68
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 - The Movie Directing Director 60
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 Directing Series Director 66
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 Directing Director 66
Fair
1991 Route 20: Galactic Airport Directing Director N/A
N/A
1991 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III Directing Director N/A
N/A

Writing
2023 EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.) Writing Comic Book 58
Average
2016 Shin Godzilla Writing Storyboard 68
Fair
2016 Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Movie - Over the Wishes Writing Original Story 58
Average
2015 Kanón Writing Screenplay 59
Average
2013 Ando Lloyd ～A.I. knows LOVE ?～ Writing Original Story 69
Fair
2012 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Writing Co-Writer 67
Fair
2008 Genius Party Beyond Writing Screenplay 59
Average
2008 Genius Party Beyond Writing Writer 69
Fair
2008 Gala Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
2007 Princess Onmitsu Writing Original Story 59
Average
2004 Gankutsuou Writing Original Story 70
Good
1991 Route 20: Galactic Airport Writing Story N/A
N/A

Production
2004 Gankutsuou Production Executive Producer 70
Good

Art
2025 Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Art Storyboard Artist 58
Average
2023 Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug Art Art Designer 59
Average
2023 Shin Kamen Rider Art Conceptual Design 62
Fair
2022 Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation Art Concept Artist 59
Average
2021 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Art Storyboard Artist 73
Good
2021 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Art Concept Artist 73
Good
2021 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Art Art Designer 73
Good
2016 Shin Godzilla Art Conceptual Design 68
Fair
2016 Shin Godzilla Art Art Direction 68
Fair
2015 Kanón Art Storyboard Artist 59
Average
2012 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Art Storyboard Artist 67
Fair
2006 Brave Story Art Storyboard Artist 59
Average
2001 Final Fantasy: Unlimited Art Art Designer 68
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 - The Movie Art Storyboard Artist 60
Fair
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Art Storyboard Artist N/A
N/A

Costume & Make-Up
2023 Shin Kamen Rider Costume & Make-Up Costume Design 62
Fair

Crew
2012 Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo Crew Special Effects 59
Average

Visual Effects
2025 Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Visual Effects Key Animation 58
Average
2024 Kaiju No. 8 Visual Effects Creature Design 84
Very good
2023 SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand Episode Visual Effects Creature Design 58
Average
2022 Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation Visual Effects Key Animation 59
Average
2021 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Visual Effects Key Animation 73
Good
2016 A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.) Visual Effects Key Animation 58
Average
2015 Mad Max: Fury Road Visual Effects Animation 75
Good
2015 Kanón Visual Effects Character Designer 59
Average
2015 Kanón Visual Effects Key Animation 59
Average
2012 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Visual Effects Key Animation 67
Fair
2009 Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance Visual Effects Key Animation 71
Good
2008 Genius Party Beyond Visual Effects Animation Director 59
Average
2008 Genius Party Beyond Visual Effects Character Designer 59
Average
2008 Gala Visual Effects Animation Director N/A
N/A
2006 Brave Story Visual Effects Animation 59
Average
2006 Origin: Spirits of the Past Visual Effects Mechanical Designer 62
Fair
2003 Kill Bill: Vol. 1 Visual Effects Animation 79
Good
2003 The Second Renaissance Part I Visual Effects Key Animation 62
Fair
2003 The Second Renaissance Part I Visual Effects Character Designer 62
Fair
2003 The Second Renaissance Part I Visual Effects Animation Director 62
Fair
2001 Final Fantasy: Unlimited Visual Effects Creature Design 68
Fair
2001 Final Fantasy: Unlimited Visual Effects Character Designer 68
Fair
1999 Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris Visual Effects Creature Design 61
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 - The Movie Visual Effects Mechanical Designer 60
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 - The Movie Visual Effects Key Animation 60
Fair
1998 Blue Submarine No. 6 Visual Effects Character Designer 66
Fair
1997 Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion Visual Effects Key Animation 77
Good
1996 Gamera 2: Attack of Legion Visual Effects Creature Design 61
Fair
1995 Gunsmith Cats Visual Effects Animation 59
Average
1992 Porco Rosso Visual Effects Key Animation 75
Good
1991 Moonlight Pierce Visual Effects Key Animation N/A
N/A
1991 Only Yesterday Visual Effects Key Animation 69
Fair
1987 The Tale of Genji Visual Effects Key Animation 58
Average
1987 Battle Royale High School Visual Effects Key Animation 58
Average
1987 Robot Carnival Visual Effects Animation 59
Average
1987 Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise Visual Effects Key Animation 60
Fair
1986 Castle in the Sky Visual Effects Key Animation 77
Good
1985 Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot Visual Effects Key Animation 58
Average
1984 Birth: A War of Two Worlds Visual Effects Animation 58
Average
1983 DAICON IV Opening Animation Visual Effects Key Animation 59
Average
1981 DAICON III Opening Animation Visual Effects Key Animation 59
Average