Mahiro Maeda

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.

Crew

The Second Renaissance Part II
Director
The Second Renaissance Part I
Director, Animation Director, Character Designer, Key Animation
Brave Story
Storyboard Artist, Animation, Director
Robot Carnival
Animation
Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation
Concept Artist, Key Animation
Kanón
Storyboard Artist, Screenplay, Key Animation, Character Designer, Director
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot
Key Animation
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Key Animation
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
Key Animation, Storyboard Artist, Director, Assistant Script
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
Key Animation, Art Designer, Concept Artist, Storyboard Artist, Director
The Animatrix
Director
Shin Godzilla
Storyboard, Conceptual Design, Art Direction, Creature Design, Concept Artist
Shin Kamen Rider
Conceptual Design, Costume Design
Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo
Special Effects
Ani*Kuri15
Director
Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
Creature Design
Gamera 2: Attack of Legion
Creature Design
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Animation
Porco Rosso
Key Animation
Only Yesterday
Key Animation
Origin: Spirits of the Past
Mechanical Designer
Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise
Key Animation
The Tale of Genji
Key Animation
20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed
Director
Birth: A War of Two Worlds
Animation
Mad Max: Fury Road
Animation
Moonlight Pierce
Key Animation
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Key Animation
Route 20: Galactic Airport
Director, Story
Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Movie - Over the Wishes
Original Story
Hammerhead
Director
EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.)
Comic Book
Genius Party Beyond
Director, Character Designer, Animation Director, Screenplay
Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug
Art Designer
Battle Royale High School
Key Animation
A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.)
Key Animation
Gunsmith Cats
Animation
Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film
Director
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III
Director
DAICON IV Opening Animation
Key Animation
DAICON III Opening Animation
Key Animation
Castle in the Sky
Key Animation
SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand Episode
Creature Design
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-
Storyboard Artist, Key Animation
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark
Storyboard Artist