Masaaki Yuasa

Masaaki Yuasa (湯浅 政明, Yuasa Masaaki, born March 16, 1965) is an acclaimed Japanese director, screenwriter and animator known for his unique and energetic visual style. His career includes significant contributions to both television and film animation, such as 'Chibi Maruko-chan', 'Crayon Shin-chan', 'Mind Game', and 'The Tatami Galaxy', where he has exhibited cult appeal among viewers. He co-founded Science SARU, a Japanese animation studio, with producer Eunyoung Choi in 2013 and served as its president until he stepped down in 2020. Yuasa's animation dauntlessly defies convention, redefining stylistic norms in the industry.

During much of the 2000s and early 2010s, Yuasa worked primarily in television, directing series including 'Kemonozume', 'Kaiba', and 'The Tatami Galaxy' before creating the crowdfunded short film 'Kick-Heart'. Yuasa's work gradually garnered mainstream success in the 2010s, transforming him into one of Japan's foremost independent creators. His move into feature films began with 'Mind Game', and has since included internationally recognized productions like 'Lu Over the Wall', 'Devilman Crybaby', and 'Inu-Oh'. His work has received worldwide critical acclaim and has won awards from prestigious institutions such as Annecy, the Japan Academy Film Prize, the Mainichi Film Awards, and the Japan Media Arts Festival. His latest project, the musical drama feature film 'Inu-Oh', premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2021 and was released worldwide in August 2022.