

Mahiro Maeda
Director · Actor · WriterMahiro 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.
More details at TMDB
KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
ACTOR3
DIRECTOR14

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
2021
Director

Hammerhead
2015
Director

Kanón
2015
Director

20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed
2014
Director, Second Unit Director

Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film
2013
Director, Second Unit Director

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
2012
Director

Ani*Kuri15
2008
Director

Genius Party Beyond
2008
Director

Brave Story
2006
Second Unit Director

The Second Renaissance Part I
2003
Director

The Second Renaissance Part II
2003
Director

The Animatrix
2003
Director
- Route 20: Galactic Airport
Route 20: Galactic Airport
1991
Director

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III
1991
Director
WRITER7
VISUAL EFFECTS30

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-
2025
Key Animation

SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand Episode
2023
Creature Design

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation
2022
Key Animation

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
2021
Key Animation

A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.)
2016
Key Animation

Shin Godzilla
2016
Creature Design

Mad Max: Fury Road
2015
Animation

Kanón
2015
Character Designer, Key Animation

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
2012
Key Animation

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
2009
Key Animation

Genius Party Beyond
2008
Character Designer, Animation Director

Origin: Spirits of the Past
2006
Mechanical Designer

Brave Story
2006
Animation

Kill Bill: Vol. 1
2003
Animation

The Second Renaissance Part I
2003
Animation Director, Character Designer, Key Animation

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
1999
Creature Design

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
1997
Key Animation

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion
1996
Creature Design

Gunsmith Cats
1995
Animation

Porco Rosso
1992
Key Animation

Only Yesterday
1991
Key Animation

Moonlight Pierce
1991
Key Animation

Robot Carnival
1987
Animation

Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise
1987
Key Animation

The Tale of Genji
1987
Key Animation

Battle Royale High School
1987
Key Animation

A Tale of Two Robots, Chapter 3: Foreign Invasion
1987
Mechanical & Creature Designer

Castle in the Sky
1986
Key Animation

Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot
1985
Key Animation

Birth
1984
Animation
ART10

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-
2025
Storyboard Artist

Shin Kamen Rider
2023
Conceptual Design

Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug
2023
Art Designer

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation
2022
Concept Artist

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
2021
Art Designer, Concept Artist, Storyboard Artist

Shin Godzilla
2016
Conceptual Design, Art Direction, Concept Artist

Kanón
2015
Storyboard Artist

Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark
2014
Storyboard Artist

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
2012
Storyboard Artist

Brave Story
2006
Storyboard Artist












