Mahiro Maeda
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.
Personal Details
Movies (34)
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2025
Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~
as Self
2023
Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug
Art Designer (Art)
2023
Shin Kamen Rider
Conceptual Design (Art)
2023
EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.)
Comic Book (Writing)
2023
SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand Episode
Creature Design (Visual Effects)
2023
Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation
Concept Artist (Art)
2022
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
2021
A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.)
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
2016
Shin Godzilla
Storyboard (Writing)
2016
Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Movie - Over the Wishes
Original Story (Writing)
2016
Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo
2015
Hammerhead
Director (Directing)
2015
Rapid Rouge
Original Concept (Writing)
2015
Mad Max: Fury Road
Animation (Visual Effects)
2015
Kanón
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2015
20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed
Director (Directing)
2014
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2014
Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film
Director (Directing)
2013
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
2012
Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo
Special Effects (Crew)
2012
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
2009
Genius Party Beyond
Director (Directing)
2008
Ani*Kuri15
Director (Directing)
2008
Brave Story
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2006
Origin: Spirits of the Past
Mechanical Designer (Visual Effects)
2006
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Animation (Visual Effects)
2003
Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of Anime
as Self
2003
The Animatrix
Director (Directing)
2003
The Second Renaissance Part II
Director (Directing)
2003
The Second Renaissance Part I
Director (Directing)
2003
Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
Creature Design (Visual Effects)
1999
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
1997
Gamera 2: Attack of Legion
Creature Design (Visual Effects)
1996
TV Shows (16)
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2025
Kaiju No. 8
Creature Design (Visual Effects)
2024
SSSS.GRIDMAN
Creature Design (Visual Effects)
2018
One-Punch Man
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
2015
Japan Animator Expo
Director (Directing)
2014
Rage of Bahamut
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2014
Ando Lloyd ～A.I. knows LOVE ?～
Original Story (Writing)
2013
Kill la Kill
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2013
Genius Party Beyond
Director (Directing)
2008
Ani*Kuri15
Director (Directing)
2007
Gankutsuou
Executive Producer (Production)
2004
Last Exile
Production Design (Art)
2003
Gate Keepers 21
Storyboard (Writing)
2002
Final Fantasy: Unlimited
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2001
VanDread
Key Animation (Visual Effects)
2000
Blue Submarine No. 6
Series Director (Directing)
1998