Mahiro Maeda

Mahiro Maeda

  • Birthday: 1963-03-14
  • Place of birth: Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
  • Also know as: 前田真宏

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.

Filmography

Production

Shin Godzilla

2016

As Art Direction

Shin Godzilla

2016

As Conceptual Design

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

2021

As Storyboard Artist

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

2012

As Storyboard Artist

Brave Story

2006

As Storyboard Artist

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

2022

As Concept Artist

Kanón

2015

As Storyboard Artist

Shin Kamen Rider

2023

As Conceptual Design

Shin Kamen Rider

2023

As Costume Design

Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo

2012

As Special Effects

The Animatrix

2003

As Director

Ani*Kuri15

2008

As Director

Hammerhead

2015

As Director

Kanón

2015

As Director

Princess Onmitsu

2007

As Director

Gala

2008

As Director

Robot Carnival

1987

As Animation

Kill Bill: Vol. 1

2003

As Animation

Mad Max: Fury Road

2015

As Animation

Kanón

2015

As Character Designer

Kanón

2015

As Key Animation

Battle Royale High School

1987

As Key Animation

Gunsmith Cats

1995

As Animation

Genius Party Beyond

2008

As Character Designer

Genius Party Beyond

2008

As Animation Director

DAICON IV Opening Animation

1983

As Key Animation

DAICON III Opening Animation

1981

As Key Animation

Castle in the Sky

1986

As Key Animation

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

2022

As Key Animation

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris

1999

As Creature Design

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion

1996

As Creature Design

Porco Rosso

1992

As Key Animation

Only Yesterday

1991

As Key Animation

Origin: Spirits of the Past

2006

As Mechanical Designer

The Tale of Genji

1987

As Key Animation

Brave Story

2006

As Animation

Birth: A War of Two Worlds

1984

As Animation

Moonlight Pierce

1991

As Key Animation

Gala

2008

As Animation Director

Shin Godzilla

2016

As Storyboard

EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.)

2023

As Comic Book

Kanón

2015

As Screenplay

Princess Onmitsu

2007

As Original Story

keyboard_arrow_up