Akiyuki Shinbo
Encyclopedia
, born September 27, 1961 in Fukushima
, Japan
, is a Japanese animation
director
. Shinbo started his career as an animator
in 1981 at Studio One Pattern. He then made his directorial debut with Metal Fighter Miku
in 1994. He is most notable for his involvement in a number of Shaft
works since 2004. His style is unique and readily recognizable due to the amount of surreal imagery, typographic art, and frequent cuts to text and photographs.
. Shinbo participated with Studio Pierrot
in 1990 as a unit director in Karakuri Kengouden Musashi Lord
and started to provide storyboards for YuYu Hakusho
in 1992 . His first full directorial debut was 1994's Metal Fighter Miku
, produced by J.C.Staff
. He continued his directional career with several OVA series starting with Devil Hunter Yohko 6: Double Jeopardy
in 1995, followed by Galaxy Fraulein Yuna: The Abyssal Fairy
in 1996, Debutante Detective Corps
and New Hurricane Polymar
. That year and in 1997, he directed the two Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko
OVA series, which led to his second TV
anime series directorial job in 1999 (the Yamamoto Yohko
TV series). He then served as a director for Tatsunoko Production
's The SoulTaker
in 2001.
starting with Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever
in 2003, and then become a director for 2004's spin-off Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
. In the same year, he directed Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
by Doumu and Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase by Shaft
. He has since participated in most of Shaft's works as a director or supervisor.
Fukushima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Fukushima.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Fukushima prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, is a Japanese animation
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. Shinbo started his career as an animator
Animator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
in 1981 at Studio One Pattern. He then made his directorial debut with Metal Fighter Miku
Metal Fighter Miku
is a 13-episode Japanese animated television series created by Daisaku Ogawa. Metal Fighter Miku first aired on TV Tokyo from July to September 1994. J.C.Staff was the animation studio for the TV series.-Story:...
in 1994. He is most notable for his involvement in a number of Shaft
Shaft (company)
is a Japanese animation studio founded on September 1, 1975 by Hiroshi Wakao. They are best known for their unique use of gags and references notably in Pani Poni Dash!, Maria Holic, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei, Hidamari Sketch, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Bakemonogatari series.- History :Shaft was...
works since 2004. His style is unique and readily recognizable due to the amount of surreal imagery, typographic art, and frequent cuts to text and photographs.
Early career
Akiyuki Shinbo started his career after graduating from Tokyo Design Institute as an animator in 1981 for the anime series Urusei YatsuraUrusei Yatsura
is a comedic manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi that premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday in 1978 and ran until its conclusion in 1987. Its 374 individual chapters were collected and published in 34 tankōbon volumes. The series tells the story of Ataru Moroboshi, and the alien...
. Shinbo participated with Studio Pierrot
Studio Pierrot
is a Japanese animation/animation studio, founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. Its headquarters is located in Mitaka, Tokyo.The company has a simple logo of the face of a clown...
in 1990 as a unit director in Karakuri Kengouden Musashi Lord
Musashi, the Samurai Lord
Musashi, the Samurai Lord, known in Japanese as , is an anime series by Studio Pierrot. The 50-episode series aired on Nihon Television from October 1990 to September 1991....
and started to provide storyboards for YuYu Hakusho
YuYu Hakusho
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. The name of the series is spelled YuYu Hakusho in the Viz Media manga and Yu Yu Hakusho in other English distributions of the franchise. The series tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and...
in 1992 . His first full directorial debut was 1994's Metal Fighter Miku
Metal Fighter Miku
is a 13-episode Japanese animated television series created by Daisaku Ogawa. Metal Fighter Miku first aired on TV Tokyo from July to September 1994. J.C.Staff was the animation studio for the TV series.-Story:...
, produced by J.C.Staff
J.C.STAFF
, is a Japanese animation studio founded in January 1986. Their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden, in 1987. They have produced several well-known anime series, such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Excel Saga, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Shakugan no Shana, Toaru Majutsu no...
. He continued his directional career with several OVA series starting with Devil Hunter Yohko 6: Double Jeopardy
Devil Hunter Yohko
is an anime series created by Madhouse, produced by Toho, and published in North America by ADV Films. Devil Hunter Yohko was ADV Films' first VHS release...
in 1995, followed by Galaxy Fraulein Yuna: The Abyssal Fairy
Galaxy Fraulein Yuna
is a series of video games, anime, and other media from Japan. The Japanese title literally translates to "Galaxy Lady Legend Yuna".The main character of the series is Kagurazaka Yuna, a somewhat ditzy 16-year old girl. After winning a "Galactic Bishōjo Contest", she becomes "The Savior of Light",...
in 1996, Debutante Detective Corps
Debutante Detective Corps
is an anime OVA, and was released on VHS and DVD in North America by ADV Films.-Voice actors and their characters:* Dara Aylor - Kimiko* Larissa Wolcott - Reika* Lindsay Doleshal - Nina* Missy Atwood - Youko* Shana McClendon - Miyuki...
and New Hurricane Polymar
Hurricane Polymar (OVA)
is a two-part OVA series that was created by Tatsunoko Productions. It is a remake of the classic 1970s anime TV series known as Hurricane Polymar. The first episode was released in Japan on September 21, 1996, followed by episode 2 on February 21, 1997...
. That year and in 1997, he directed the two Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko
Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko
is a sci-fi anime series based on novels by Shoji Takashi. There have been two 3-episode OVAs from J.C.Staff. The series was released in the United States by The Right Stuf International on DVD in 2003...
OVA series, which led to his second TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
anime series directorial job in 1999 (the Yamamoto Yohko
Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko
is a sci-fi anime series based on novels by Shoji Takashi. There have been two 3-episode OVAs from J.C.Staff. The series was released in the United States by The Right Stuf International on DVD in 2003...
TV series). He then served as a director for Tatsunoko Production
Tatsunoko Production
, often shortened to , is a Japanese animation company. Founded in October 1962 by acclaimed anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida along with his brothers Kenji and Toyoharu...
's The SoulTaker
The SoulTaker
For the Soul Taker film starring Joe Estevez see Soultaker . is an anime series that focuses on Kyosuke Date who was killed by his mother, and afterward gained the ability to turn into a monster known as "The SoulTaker". The show was Tatsunoko's first attempt at a more adult series.There is a...
in 2001.
Recent work
Shinbo participated with Seven ArcsSeven Arcs
is a Japanese animation studio established on May 31, 2002 and is located in Nakano, Tokyo, Japan. The company originally produced adult original video animation series under another animation studio named Arcturus since April 2000 and had the intention of eventually producing television anime...
starting with Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever
Triangle Heart
, abbreviated as Toraha, is a series of eroge and OVAs that is most noted for its spin-off series, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. The name comes from the fact that each cast focuses on a "triangle" of one boy and two girls, though there are many other heroines.The OVA, based on the game Triangle...
in 2003, and then become a director for 2004's spin-off Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
is an anime television series directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, with screenplay written by Masaki Tsuzuki, and produced by Seven Arcs. It forms part of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series. The Japanese Association of Independent Television Stations broadcast thirteen episodes between October and...
. In the same year, he directed Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
is an original video animation produced by Aniplex. It spanned 3 episode OVA series and ran in 2004. It was licensed for North American distribution by Geneon and released as Le Portrait de Petite Cossette. Fuse TV has broadcast the anime as part of their Anime Explosion Weekend on December 15, 2007...
by Doumu and Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase by Shaft
Shaft (company)
is a Japanese animation studio founded on September 1, 1975 by Hiroshi Wakao. They are best known for their unique use of gags and references notably in Pani Poni Dash!, Maria Holic, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei, Hidamari Sketch, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Bakemonogatari series.- History :Shaft was...
. He has since participated in most of Shaft's works as a director or supervisor.
Director
- Metal Fighter MikuMetal Fighter Mikuis a 13-episode Japanese animated television series created by Daisaku Ogawa. Metal Fighter Miku first aired on TV Tokyo from July to September 1994. J.C.Staff was the animation studio for the TV series.-Story:...
(1994) - Devil Hunter Yohko 6: Double JeopardyDevil Hunter Yohkois an anime series created by Madhouse, produced by Toho, and published in North America by ADV Films. Devil Hunter Yohko was ADV Films' first VHS release...
(1995) - Galaxy Fraulein Yuna: The Abyssal FairyGalaxy Fraulein Yunais a series of video games, anime, and other media from Japan. The Japanese title literally translates to "Galaxy Lady Legend Yuna".The main character of the series is Kagurazaka Yuna, a somewhat ditzy 16-year old girl. After winning a "Galactic Bishōjo Contest", she becomes "The Savior of Light",...
(1996) - Debutante Detective CorpsDebutante Detective Corpsis an anime OVA, and was released on VHS and DVD in North America by ADV Films.-Voice actors and their characters:* Dara Aylor - Kimiko* Larissa Wolcott - Reika* Lindsay Doleshal - Nina* Missy Atwood - Youko* Shana McClendon - Miyuki...
(1996) - New Hurricane PolymarHurricane Polymar (OVA)is a two-part OVA series that was created by Tatsunoko Productions. It is a remake of the classic 1970s anime TV series known as Hurricane Polymar. The first episode was released in Japan on September 21, 1996, followed by episode 2 on February 21, 1997...
(1996) - Starship Girl Yamamoto YohkoStarship Girl Yamamoto Yohkois a sci-fi anime series based on novels by Shoji Takashi. There have been two 3-episode OVAs from J.C.Staff. The series was released in the United States by The Right Stuf International on DVD in 2003...
series (1996–1999) - Detatoko PrincessDetatoko Princessis a Japanese manga written by Hitoshi Okuda and serialised in Dragon Comics from 1994 to 1999. The individual chapters were published in six bound volumes volumes by Fujimi Shobo....
(1997) - Twilight of the Dark MasterTwilight of the Dark Masteris a Japanese anime film based on a manga by Saki Okuse. It was produced by Masao Maruyama, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, and the screenplay was written by Duane Dell'Amico. The film was distributed and licensed in 1997 by Urban Vision.-Plot:...
(1997) - Tenamonya Voyagers (1999)
- The SoulTakerThe SoulTakerFor the Soul Taker film starring Joe Estevez see Soultaker . is an anime series that focuses on Kyosuke Date who was killed by his mother, and afterward gained the ability to turn into a monster known as "The SoulTaker". The show was Tatsunoko's first attempt at a more adult series.There is a...
(2001) - Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs ForeverTriangle Heart, abbreviated as Toraha, is a series of eroge and OVAs that is most noted for its spin-off series, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. The name comes from the fact that each cast focuses on a "triangle" of one boy and two girls, though there are many other heroines.The OVA, based on the game Triangle...
(2003) - Le Portrait de Petit CossetteLe Portrait de Petit Cossetteis an original video animation produced by Aniplex. It spanned 3 episode OVA series and ran in 2004. It was licensed for North American distribution by Geneon and released as Le Portrait de Petite Cossette. Fuse TV has broadcast the anime as part of their Anime Explosion Weekend on December 15, 2007...
(2004) - Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase (2004)
- Magical Girl Lyrical NanohaMagical Girl Lyrical Nanohais an anime television series directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, with screenplay written by Masaki Tsuzuki, and produced by Seven Arcs. It forms part of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series. The Japanese Association of Independent Television Stations broadcast thirteen episodes between October and...
(2004) - Pani Poni Dash! (2005)
- Negima!?Negima!?is an alternate retelling of the manga series Negima! Magister Negi Magi. The anime, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, aired October 4, 2006 to March 28, 2007 in Japan. It is accompanied by a new monthly manga series by Takuya Fujima called Negima!? neo. Both series feature the same characters and...
(2006) - Hidamari Sketch series (2007–2010)
- Sayonara Zetsubō SenseiSayonara Zetsubo Senseiis a Japanese manga by Kōji Kumeta, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. It is a comedy about a teacher who takes all aspects of life, word and culture in the most negative light possible. It satirizes politics, media, and Japanese society...
series (2007–2010) - Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two.Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two.Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two is the overall title of a two-part Japanese adult visual novel series by Minori for the PC as a DVD. The first game in the series, Ef: The First Tale, was released on December 22, 2006, and the second game, Ef: The Latter Tale, was released on May 30, 2008...
series (2007–2008) [Supervisor] - Mahō Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba (2008)
- Maria HolicMaria Holicis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Minari Endō, the author of Dazzle. The manga was first serialized in the Japanese seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on June 27, 2006, and is published by Media Factory. The manga was licensed by Tokyopop with the first volume in English...
series (2009-2011) - Natsu no Arashi!Natsu no Arashi!is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Jin Kobayashi, who is known for his previous work School Rumble. The manga started serialization in Square Enix's Gangan Wing shōnen manga magazine on August 25, 2006, and seven bound volumes have been released in Japan as of March 2010...
series (2009) - MonogatariBakemonogatariis a Japanese popular light novel series written by Japanese novelist Nisio Isin and illustrated by Taiwanese illustrator Vofan; the series is published by Kodansha under the Kodansha Box imprint...
series (2009-2012) - Mahō Sensei Negima! : Mō Hitotsu no Sekai (2009)
- Dance in the Vampire BundDance in the Vampire Bundis a supernatural romance manga written and illustrated by . The manga series is serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Comic Flapper, and is licensed for an English-language release by Seven Seas Entertainment....
(2010) - Arakawa Under the BridgeArakawa Under the Bridgeis a Japanese manga series created by Hikaru Nakamura. The manga was first serialized in the Japanese seinen manga magazine Young GanGan starting December 3, 2004. An anime adaptation by Shaft was broadcast in Japan between April 4, 2010 and June 27, 2010 on TV Tokyo...
series (2010) - Soredemo Machi wa MawatteiruSoredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru, abbreviated as , is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Masakazu Ishiguro. The manga started serialization in Young King OURs magazine on March 30, 2005, and nine bound volumes have been released in Japan as of August 2011...
(2010) - Puella Magi Madoka MagicaPuella Magi Madoka Magicais a Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. The series is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi with original character designs by Ume Aoki, character design adaptation by Takahiro Kishida and music by Yuki Kajiura...
(2011) - Denpa Onna to Seishun OtokoDenpa Onna to Seishun Otokois a Japanese light novel series written by Hitoma Iruma, with illustrations by Buriki. The series includes eight novels released between January 2009 and April 2011, published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation started serialization in the October 2010 issue...
(2011)
Unit director
- Karakuri Kengouden Musashi LordMusashi, the Samurai LordMusashi, the Samurai Lord, known in Japanese as , is an anime series by Studio Pierrot. The 50-episode series aired on Nihon Television from October 1990 to September 1991....
(1990) - Marude DameoMarude Dameois a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kobushitsugi Morita. The series stars an elementary school boy named , who has little success with anything he tries, and a robot named , which is good with housekeeping. It was serialized in the Kodansha magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from...
(1992) - YuYu HakushoYuYu Hakushois a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. The name of the series is spelled YuYu Hakusho in the Viz Media manga and Yu Yu Hakusho in other English distributions of the franchise. The series tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and...
(1992) - Kyōryū Wakusei (1993)
- Montana JonesMontana Jonesis a comedy adventure anime television series which was broadcast in Japan on NHK from April 2, 1994 through April 8, 1995. Studio Junio and REVER created the 52 episode series as a joint production. Montana Jones has a similar atmosphere to Sherlock Hound, a joint of Rever and TMS Entertainment...
(1994) - NinkuNinkuis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kōji Kiriyama. The original manga spanned nine tankōbon volumes and was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump manga magazine between 1993 to 1995...
(1995) - Midori no MakibaōMidori no Makibaōis a manga series written and illustrated by Tsunomaru and serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump. It was also adapted into an anime series.-Plot:...
(1996) - Kaiketsu ZorroKaiketsu Zorrois an Italian/Japanese anime, based on the western character Zorro. 52 episodes were produced, however, only 46 were broadcast in Japan. The series became very popular in European countries, including Spain and Portugal, the colonial power of the area in the story...
(1996)
Storyboard
- YuYu HakushoYuYu Hakushois a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. The name of the series is spelled YuYu Hakusho in the Viz Media manga and Yu Yu Hakusho in other English distributions of the franchise. The series tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and...
(1992) - Galaxy Fraulein Yuna: Siren's SadnessGalaxy Fraulein Yunais a series of video games, anime, and other media from Japan. The Japanese title literally translates to "Galaxy Lady Legend Yuna".The main character of the series is Kagurazaka Yuna, a somewhat ditzy 16-year old girl. After winning a "Galactic Bishōjo Contest", she becomes "The Savior of Light",...
(1995) - Kaiketsu ZorroKaiketsu Zorrois an Italian/Japanese anime, based on the western character Zorro. 52 episodes were produced, however, only 46 were broadcast in Japan. The series became very popular in European countries, including Spain and Portugal, the colonial power of the area in the story...
(1996) - Saber Marionette JSaber Marionette Jis a Japanese anime produced by Hal Film Maker, aired on TV Tokyo from October 1, 1996 to March 25, 1997. It is the second installation of the Saber Marionette line of series, preceding Saber Marionette J Again and succeeding Saber Marionette R...
(1996) [Opening movie] - Saber Marionette J AgainSaber Marionette J Again, occasionally with the subtitle "Plasmastic Crisis" added, is the 1998 sequel to the Japanese anime series Saber Marionette J. It is a six episode OVA which continues the story of its predecessor, following the eventful life of Otaru Mamiya and his three marionettes Lime, Cherry and Bloodberry.-...
(1997) [Opening movie] - Saber Marionette J to XSaber Marionette J to Xis a Japanese anime, the last part of the Saber Marionette J series, and a plot continuation of Saber Marionette J Again. Like the previous ones, it was created by . The 26 episode saga began airing in Japan on October 6, 1998 to August 25, 1999...
(1998) - Tatsunoko FightTatsunoko Fightis a fighting video game developed and published by Takara for the PlayStation game console released in Japan in October 2000. It features characters from various Tatsunoko superhero properties in addition to original creations developed exclusively for the game...
(2000) [Opening movie] - Denkō Sekka Volter (2000) [Opening movie]
- The God of Death (2005) [Opening movie]